Upper Proterozoic microfossils from the Infra Krol sediments, Nainital Synform, Kumaon Himalaya, India

Abstract

Thin sections of cherty nodules, occurring within the dark grey to black carbonaceous slates of Infra Krol sediments from Nainital Synform of Kumaon Himalaya, India show abundant microfossils. These are atrributed to Gunflintia minuta, Eomycetopsis robusta, Palaeolyngbya barghoorniana, Siphonophycus kestron, Animikiea septata, Myxococcoides minor, Palaeoanacystis vulgaris, Huroniospora psilata, Eosphaera sp., Sphaeranasillos irregularis, Melanocyrilium sp, (vase-shaped microfossils) and associated unnamed Form "A," They are distributed randomly in the matrix containing a large amount of dispersed organic matter which imparts brown to dark brown colour to the chert matrix. The fossiliferous nodules may have been transported and redeposited along with the Infra Krol slates. The vase-shaped microfossils indicate the possibility of the Upper Riphean-Lower Vendian age for this assemblage. The age of Infra Krol sediments may be younger.