Cuticular Studies on the Fossil Leaves from Neyveli Lignite Formation, Tamilnadu, India
M. Elayaraja
Department of Botany, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar– 608 002, India
D. Kumarasamy *
Department of Botany, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar– 608 002, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This work is about the observation of some cuticles recovered from the fossil Angiosperms leaves collected from the Neyveli lignite mines, the leaves are in compressed form. The fossil cuticles were recovered from the fossil leaves using concentrated Nitric acid with a few crystals of Potassium chlorate crystals. The cuticles are belonging the Shorea sp, Cryptostegia sp and Hedycarya arborea. Apart from the leaves the genus Shorea sp reported in the form of pollen and wood in the Neyveli lignite formation. The presence of these fossil taxa observed at the Neyveli lignite formation indicates the prevalence of warm humid climate in the area during the sedimentation.
Keywords: Tertiary, Neyveli lignite formation, angiosperm leaves, cuticles