Palynological investigation of the Gondwana outcrop from Vemavaram with remarks on the age of the bed

Abstract

The present paper deals with the dispersed spores-pollen recovered from Vemavaram shale (Jurassic) in the east coast Gondwanas, Andhra Pradesh, India. The palynological assemblage comprises 21 genera and 43 species, out of which two genera, viz. Ramanujamiaspora and Singhiapollis are new. The assemblage is dominated by gymnospermous pollen grains mosUy represented by Callialasporites, Sillghiapollis, Podocarpidites, Laricoidites and Araucariacites. The trilete spores are not common and mostly represented by Cyathidites and Ramanujamiaspora. The monolde and monocolpate pollen grains are rare. The trisaccate pollen grains are also meagrely represented by Podosporites. Operculate pollen grains are also rare and represented by Classopollis and Granuloperculatipollis. The present palynological assemblage has also been compared with the other known Jurassic assemblages of India. Palynological evidence indicates an Upper Jurassic age for the Vemavaram shales.