Early and Late Permian palynoflora from Lower Gondwana sediments of Gundala area, Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Palynological investigations in 377 m deep subsurface sediments of Bore core MLG-28 from Gundala area of Lingala-Koyagudem coal belt, Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh have revealed three distinctly identifiable palynoassemblages related to Early Permian (Karharbari and Barakar formations) and Late Permian (Raniganj Formation). Palynoassemblage-I showing dominance of Parasaccites alongwith high percentage of Scheuringipollenites and Callumispora belongs to Upper Karharbari. Palynoassemblage-II having dominance of nonstriate disaccates chiefly Scheuringipollenites indicates Lower Barakar affinity while Palynoassemblages-III characterised by dominance of striate disaccates along with the occurrence of some stratigraphically significant taxa, viz. Kamthisaccites, Lunatisporites, Falcisporites, Hamiapollenites, Guttulapollenites, Lundbladispora and Weylandites indicates the Late Permian (Raniganj) age. Raniganj palynoflora has been demarcated in lithologically designated Barren Measures Formation. This is the first report of Late Permian (Raniganj) palynoflora from Gundala area.