International Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202Vol. 2(4), 72-73, April (2013) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 72 Short Communication Occurance of two species of Brachyphyllum, Lindley and Hutton (1836) Ex Brongniart (1828) from Uttatur Formation, Tamil-Nadu, India Salunkhe V.S., Ghatge M.M. and Jadhav R.R. Department of Botany, B.V. Matoshri Bayabai Shripatrao Kadam Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Kadegaon, Dist. Sangli, Maharashtra, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in Received 6th February 2013, revised 21st February 2013, accepted 13th March 2013Abstract The paper deals with morphological studies of the fossil flora of Uttatur Formation plant beds in Tiruchirpalli Early Creataceous age. Gymnospermic impressions are described. Keywards: Fossil plant impression, Uttatur formation plant beds, early creataceous age. Introduction The Coniferales are represented by genera Brachyphyllumbelonging to family Auarucariaceae. The genus was created for detached leafy branches showing affinities of the family Araucariaceae. It is characterized by spirally arranged, appressed leaves having thick lamina. The leaves are triangular conical or rhomboidal in shape. From India twelve species are reported. Several plant impression have been collected from localites in Tiruchirpalli district of Tamil-Nadu. The impression were preserved on Ferrginous Sandstone and reddish-yellow in colour. Following two promising impressions are describe. Material and MethodsThe impression give morphological of the plant preserved. In the field the impression were checked for the strength of the material. Some shales are brittle in nature and easily get disintegrated. The other are more durable and can easily be protected. The impression on brittle material were carefully packed by covering cotton material around them and then wrapped in the newspaper bag. The durable material is directly packed in the newspaper bag. All these packed in plastic bag. They were carefully transported to the laboratory. In the laboratory the impression were cleaned by using soft hair brush. Each specimen is properly lablled. This can be done by applying a white paint on corner of the material. The painted area is further labeled by using India ink. First habit sketches of the plants were drawn on ivory sheet. The figures are drawn proportionately. Finally they are inked and properly cut of the material on them. The explanation of text-figures is given with magnification calculated. The specimens were further photographed using colour film. For this purpose digital camera was used. The developing and printing of the colour film was processed. The enlargement of desirable size were made. The prints were fixed on the cardsheet which forms the plate figures. The explanation of plate figures is given with the magnification calculated. Results and Discussion Coniferales, Genus-Brachyllum, Lindley and Hutton 1836. Brachyphyllumrhombicum (Feistmantal) Sahni 1928 Figure-1 Brachyphyllum rhombicumThe specimen is branched shoot, measuring 12.5 cm in length and 1.2 cm in weadth. The branch is given out at an angle of 45.Leaves are spirally disposed and attached at an angle of 80. They are and rhomboidal in shape 4mm long and 3mm wide. Margins are entire and apex is acute. Free part of the leaf pointed upwards. It closely agrees with the characters of B.rhombicum given by Sahni (1928) in having i. Branched habit, ii. Rhomboidal shaped leaves iii. Acute apex iv. Absence of cuticle and therefore it is described as such. International Research Journal of Biological Sciences ________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 2(4), 72-73, April (2013) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 73 Identification and Comparison: It is compared with B. royii in having rhomboidal shape of leaves and acute apex. But differs from B.royii in the absence of cuticle. Further B.royii is reported from Cutch while present specimen belongs to Uttatur beds of Tamil-Nadu. Another major difference is in B.royii cuticle is present. Present specimen is devoid of cuticle. B.rombicum is known Sriperambudur in Tamil-Nadu and South Rewa in Madhya Pradesh. Present specimen is reported from Kalpadi in Uttatur region of Tamil-Nadu. This suggests wider distribution of B.rhombicum on the East Cost. Type - KAL/21/2000. Locality - Kalpadi, Dist- Tiruchirpalli, Tamil-Nadu. Horizon – Uttatur Formation – Early Cretaceous. Brachyphyllumtheraniense, Sukh Dev and Rajanikant 1988 Figure-2 Brachyphyllum theranienseThe specimen is an unbranched leaf twig measuring 4.4 cm in length and 1.2 cm in width. Leaves are oppressed on stem and spirally arranged. They are mostly large and rhomboidal in shape. Leaves measure 6mm long and 4mm wide. Margins are entire and apex is acute. Leaves near the margin are short triangular and project outwards. Hence diamorphic nature of leaves is observed. Identification and Comparison: It resembles with the morphological characters of B.theraniense described from Therani in Tamil Nadu. The important feature of the species is dimorphic nature as the leaves. Hence it is identifiedas such. However present specimen an unbranched twig,while those of Sukh-Dev and Rajanikanth’s specimen is branched one. Present specimen is collected from Naicolam in Tiruchirpalli district of Tamil Nadu belonging to Uttatur Formation .This supports the occurrence of the species in this region. Type - NAL/16/2000. Locality - Naicolam, Dist- Tiruchirpalli, Tamil-Nadu. Horizon – Uttatur Formation – Early Cretaceous. Conclusion The Coniferales are represented by genera belonging to family Arucariaceae and Podocarpiaceae. Further it suggests the dominance of Arucariaceae. The present work on the basis of megafossil studies support the Lower Cretaceous age. Acknowledgement The authors are thankful to Dr.Shivajirao Kadam, Vice-Chancellor, Bharathi Vidyapeeth University Pune, Dr. Vishvajit Kadam, Secretary, Bharati Vidyapeeth Pune and Dr. D.G. Kanase, Principal, B.V, Matoshri Bayabai Shriptrao Kadam Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Kadegaon, Dist. Sangli, Maharashtra, for constant encouragement and support. Referances 1.Bose and Banerji J., The fossil floras of Kachchh-1. Mesozoic megafossils, The Palaeobotanist, 33(1), 189 (1984) 2.Sanhi B., Revision of Indian fossil plants Pt-I. Coniferales (a. Impression and Incrustations) Palaeontologia Indica(n.ser) 11(1), 49 (1928)3.Sukh Dev and Rajanikanth A., The Sivaganga Formation: Fossil flora and statigraphy, Geophytology, 18(2), 186-205 (1988)