Morphological and structural studies on some Barakar megaspores

Abstract

The paper describes megaspores belonging to the genera Srivastavaesporites, Trilaevipellitis, Jhariatriletes, Talchirella and Barakarella gen. nov. recovered from the Lower Barakar shales of Churulia area , East Raniganj Coalfield, West Bengal. Megaspores have been studied both under dry as well as under wet conditions through controlled maceration. The exosporium and inner body have been found in all the megaspores. Particular attention has been given to the morphological features of the inner body and their taxonomic value is stressed. Barakarella gen. nov. is characterized by a baculose exosporium and cushioned inner body.