Sporological study of Seam VIII in Raniganj Coalfield, Bihar (India): Part 1. Description of Sporae Dispersae

Abstract

Seam VII which is one out of the ten major coal seams of the Raniganj coalfield. Bihar (India) has been sporologically investigated. The Sporae dispersae of the seam has been described on the basis of samples from Bankola, Sunkerpore, Jambad Kajora and East Jambad collieries in the eastern part of Raniganj coalfield. The seam is very rich in its spore content consisting of 39 genera and 86 species out of which 2 genera, Ricaspora and Horriditriletes and 44 species are new. A thorough study of hundreds of specimens of each genus has been made and the variations in different characters noted. By evaluating different combinations of these characters, the species in the different genera have been determined. The importance of these characters in each of the genera has also been discussed in detail.