On Euryphyllum Feistmantel and its epidermal features

Abstract

The leaf form genus Euryphyllum Feistmantel 1879 is known by two species, viz., E. whittianum Feistmantel 1879 E. obovatum Maithy 1970 from the Karharbari bed of Giridih Coalfield, India. Both these species are based on the external morphology only. For the first time epidermal features of this leaf are reported from the Early Permian beds of Talchir Coalfield and a new species– E. maithyi has been established. Besides, three specimens assignable to the type species of the genus E. whittianum are also recorded. All the specimens hitherto described and or transferred under this leaf genus have also been re-examined alongwith its possible affinities and affiliation.

The genus Euryphyllum Feistmantel revisited-Occurrence and diversity in Indian Gondwana

“…There are only two records of Euryphyllum from the eastern part of the Son-Mahanadi Basin, i.e. from the Talcher Coalfield (Chandra & Singh, 1996) and from the Ib-River Coalfield (Singh et al, 2007). The biggest Gondwana basin, the Son-Mahanadi Basin thus has only three records of Euryphyllum.…”

“…Three species, namely E. maithyi, E. whittianum and E. nautiyalii are preserved with cuticles whereas the specimens of E. elongatum and E. obovatum are impressions. Chandra and Singh (1996) reported the epidermal features of E. maithyi. Barring E. nautiyalii that has leaves with lobed margin, all four species have smooth and entire margined lamina.…”

“…Srivastava (1977) reported incomplete leaves of E. whittianum from the Karharbari Formation in the Auranga Coalfield. Well preserved compression specimens of the type species were described by Chandra and Singh (1996) from the Karharbari Formation of Talcher Coalfield in Odisha State. All the three specimens of Chandra and Singh (1996) had well preserved cuticles, however the authors did not report any cuticular features in this paper.…”

“…Well preserved compression specimens of the type species were described by Chandra and Singh (1996) from the Karharbari Formation of Talcher Coalfield in Odisha State. All the three specimens of Chandra and Singh (1996) had well preserved cuticles, however the authors did not report any cuticular features in this paper. While describing E. whittianum from Barakar Formation of the West Bokaro Coalfield and South Karanpura Coalfield, Singh (2000) reported the cuticles of this species.…”

“…Recently, Agnihotri (2011) and Srivastava and Agnihotri (2013) reported E. elongatum from Pench Valley and Mohpani coalfields, Madhya Pradesh. Chandra and Singh (1996) reported the cuticular features of Euryphyllum maithyi from the Karharbari Formation of the Talcher Coalfield, Odisha (pl. 1, figs 1, 5; pl.…”