Palaeobiology of Indian proterozoic and early cambrian successions - Recent developments

Abstract

Many facets of the early biosphere preserved in the Proterozoic and Early Cambrian successions, recorded during 2011- 2015, are reviewed. Recent advancements made in the Precambrian palaeobiology and newer steps recognized in the organismal evolution in the global perspective vis-a-vis significance of Indian records are discussed. The palaeobiological evidence reported from India are chronicled and grouped under seven categories: MISS (Microbially Induced Sedimentary Structure) & stromatolites, acritarchs, OWM (Organic Walled Microfossils), carbonaceous remains, trace-fossils & Ediacaran fossils, stable isotope studies and organic geochemistry. Present article is a continuum of Sharma et al. (2012), provides the status of Precambrian palaeobiological studies in the country, enumerates the importance of Indian records, and enlist unsolved problems and future research directions.