Palynology of the Upper Gondwana deposits from the Chintalapudi Sub-basin, South India: Insights into age and palaeodepositional settings

Abstract

Palynological data were analyzed to determine the age and depositional settings of the Jangareddygudem area in Godavari Graben, South India. The abundance of coniferous pollen grains (Araucariacites spp., Podocarpidites spp., and Callialasporites spp.) as well as pteridophytic and bryophytic trilete spore characterizes the palynofloral assemblage. The First Occurrences (FOs) of biostratigraphically significant palynomorphs taxa have been identified, which allowed us to assign the studied stratigraphic sequence to the upper Aptian–lower Albian. Recovered palynoassemblages are compared with other contemporaneous assemblages from different Gondwana continents. Palynofacies research supports hetero-lithic shelf (proximal shelf) rock formation with gradual and continuous sediment input under dysoxic to anoxic conditions. The recovered palynomorphs consistently suggest cool and humid climates during rock deposition, favoring the formation and development of a dense canopy of luxurious coniferous forests near the coast.