Dispersed angiosperm cuticles from a lignitic clay bed, Sindhudurg Formation (Miocene), Maharashtra : an interpretation on taxonomy, biodegradation and environment of deposition

Abstract

A detailed morphotaxonomic study of dispersed leaf cuticles in relation to the effect of various degradational processes have been carried out from a lignitic clay bed exposed at Amberiwadi, Maharashtra. During the investigations, cuticles under various stages of degradation caused mainly by the microbial activity were observed. Such changes have been affected in the foliage dominated organic matter during early stages of diagenesis. These studies also provide an insight into the land plant diversity and help in tracing relationship between well preserved fossil cuticles and the flora still forming a part of the forests in coastal Maharashtra. It is suggested that the deposition of organic matter took place in a shallow niche present over a narrow coastal strip.