Osmundaceous fronds in Lower Cretaceous beds at Chunakhal, Rajmahal Hills, Bihar, India

Abstract

Osmundaceous remains from the intertrappean beds of the Rajmahal Formation at Chunakhal, Rajmahal Hills, Bihar, are referred to Todites Seward, Osmundopsis Harris, Phyllopteroides Medwell and Cacumen Cantrill & Webb. Osmundopsis, Cacumen and Phyllopteroides are recorded for the first time from India. Thinnfeldia chunakhalensis Sah & Sukh-Dev is transferred to Phyllopteroides laevis Cantrill & Webb. This is a significant Neocomian index species in eastern Australia and suggests a Neocomian age for this intertrappean bed at Chunakhal.

Keywords:

• Osmundaceous megafossils
• Chunakhal
• Rajmahal Formation
• Lower Cretaceous
• India
• first record