Ghoshiasporites manjuae sp. nov., a new varimonolete spore from the upper Permian Raniganj Formation of the Damodar Basin, India

• Published in: Alcheringa (Sydney) 2022-10, Vol.46 (3-4), p.343-348
• Main Authors: D'Rozario, Ashalata, Barua, Ahinsuk, Bera, Subir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: India; Lopingian; Lower Gondwana; Madhukunda; Varimonoleti
• ISSN: 0311-5518; 1752-0754
• DOI: 10.1080/03115518.2022.2126008

A monolete spore from the upper Permian Raniganj Formation strata of the Madhukunda area in the Damodar Basin is described as Ghoshiasporites manjuae sp. nov. It is laevigate proximally but has a variable densely apiculate ornamentation distally, prompting its classification in the Subinfraturma Varimonoleti and Infraturma Sculptatomonoleti. The diagnostic features of the new species include a characteristic labrum associated with the monolete aperture and the presence of four types of densely placed projections on the distal surface: coni, spines, bacula and clavae. These states clearly distinguish Ghoshiasporites manjuae from Ghoshiasporites didecus, the only other varimonolete spore previously recorded from the Permian strata of India. Ashalata D'Rozario [ [e-mail] ], Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India; Ahinsuk Barua [ [e-mail] ], South Calcutta Girls' College, 72, Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata 700 025, India; Subir Bera [ [e-mail] ], Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India.