Some observations of the genus Contignisporites Dettmann 1963

Abstract

Contignisporites Dettm. is represented by 6 species in the coals of the Jabalpur Series (Lower Cretaceous, India) out of which 2 species. i.e. C. psilatus sp. nov. and C. dettmannii sp. nov. have been proposed new. Both the new species are distinct from others by having the equatorial region of each contact face and the interradial polar exine free from sculpture although some specimens of C. dettmannii sp. nov. possess some inconspicuous features, viz. muri-like elevationsm on the proximal face of the central body. Such forms seem to bridge the gap between those which either have proximally laevigate or sculptured exines. Also the circumscription of Contignisporites has been enlarged in this paper to include a diverse variety of forms ranging from proximally laevigate to sculptured exines in varying degree.