Two new Trilete spore genera from the Permian of India

Abstract

Trilete spores associated with regular folds along the trilete rays with restricted distal ornamentation or possessing differential ornamentational pattern on two faces have been reported by Balme & Hennel1y (1956) from Australia, Bharadwaj (1962) and others from India. The present paper deals with two new genera viz. Didecitriletes and Lacinitriletes recovered from the carbonaceous shale from the Upper Barakar Stage (Permian) at Badam, North Karanpura coalfield, Bihar. Both the genera are characterized by triangular to sub-triangular shape in polar view, trilete rays associated with folds and possessing differential ornamentation on proximal and distal sides. They have been separated from each other on the nature of sculptural elements of exine and included in a new subinfraturma Varitrileti along with Microfoveolatispora Bharadwaj and Microbaculispora Bharadwaj. Presently the group of spores included under this group seems to be restricted only to the Lower Gondwana sediments.