Isolation and Analysis of the Palynomorphs from Khadro Formation Exposed at Ranikot Fort Area Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Seventeen (17) palynomorphs were found from the Khadro Formation comprises of sandstone, shale, and limestone exposed at Ranikot Fort area Sindh, Pakistan. Palynomorphs are microfossils, possessing organic-walled microscopic organisms, their size range is from 5-500 µ (micrometers). Majority of the samples contained angiospermic and algal microfossils. Algal remains indicated the prevalence of sub-tropical to tropical climate, in which marine environmental species were Chaetomorpha akineta, Zygnema terrestre and Synechococcus aeruginosus and also including fresh water species such as, Pinnularia denticulata, Oscillatoria vizagapatensis and Genecularia sp. Arecaceae & Nymphaeaceae also indicated the fresh water vegetation. The fungal counterparts viz,; Dicellaesporites minutus inferred the deposition time of Khadro Formation and the environmental conditions was humid, hot, and with heavy rain fall. Presence of the Pteriodophytic spores (Laevigatosporites sp.) indicated that environment was deltaic, swampy and being estuarine. From Palynomorphs of different groups based on distribution pattern, confirms that during deposition time of Khadro Formation at early environmental condition was hot.