Morphology and anatomy of the angiosperm fruit Baccatocarpon, incertae sedis, from the Maastrichtian Deccan Intertrappean Beds of India

Abstract

Distinctive permineralized fruits of Baccatocarpon mohgaoense (Paradkar & Dixit) comb. nov. have been collected from several sites in the late Maastrichtian of the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Central India. We describe the peculiar fruits in detail, based on combined investigations by reflected light and X-ray CT scanning. Three-dimensional renderings and virtual slices confirm that the fruits have two lateral single-seeded locules and a central sterile chamber filled with parenchyma. The endocarp is thin-walled and opens apically longitudinal valves. Here we validate the generic name Baccatocarpon Bhowal & Sheikh ex Manchester, Ramteke, Kapgate & S.Y. Smith and recognize a single species, for which the name Baccatocarpon mohgaoense (Paradkar & Dixit) comb. nov. has priority. We document the occurrence of this species in cherts from the paleobotanical sites known as Bhutera, Keria, Mahurzari, Mohgoankalan, Paladaun, Marai Patan and Shibla. The systematic affinity of these fruits remains mysterious.

Angiosperm affinities of Surangea from the late Cretaceous Deccan Intertrappean Beds of central India

“…Although it is clearly assignable to the Pentapetalae clade, its more precise affinities, potentially as a myrtalean rosid, remain uncertain. Surangea joins several other angiosperm fruits of the Deccan Cherts whose precise extant affinities remain obscure, including Baccatocarpon Bhowal et Sheikh (Manchester et al, 2019), Indocarpa Jain (Jain, 1964), Sahniocarpon Chitaley et Patil (Chitaley and Patil, 1973), Sahnipushpam Shukla (Kapgate et al, 2011) and Scaevolacarpon Kokate, Upadhye, et Patil (Kokate et al, 2010). These co-occurred with other genera that are indeed assignable to modern families such as Indovitis Manchester, Kapgate et Wen (Vitaceae;Manchester et al, 2013), Momordiocarpon Deshmukh et Kokate (Zingiberaceae;Smith et al, 2021), Hyphaeneocarpon Bande, Prakash et Ambwani, Tricoccites Rode (Arecaceae; Matsunaga et al, 2019;Manchester et al, 2022).…”

Singpuria, a new genus of Eudicot flower from the latest Cretaceous Deccan Intertrappean Beds of India

“…The late Maastrichtian Singpur locality is well known for its flora preserved in chert, including pollen and spores (Samant et al, 2008) and fruits and seeds, such as Baccatocarpon Bhowal et Sheikh (2004;Manchester et al, 2019), Drupaceocarpon Nandeshwar et Narkhede (2016), Pantocarpon Kapgate, Patil, Ilamkar et Ramteke (Kapgate et al, 2007;Manchester et al, 2020;syn. Verbenaceocarpon Dhabarde, Sheikh, et Kolhe), Phyllanthocarpon Mistri, Kapgate et Sheikh ex Kapgate et Manchester (Kapgate et al, 2017), Ramakonospermus Matin et Juneja (Sheikh and Bhowal, 2003), Singhpurospermum Nandeshwar et Narkhede (2017) and Viracarpon Sahni (Matsunaga et al, 2018).…”