Nelumbo - The Bulletin of the Botanical Survey of India

Arabinda Sannigrahi ¹, Pankaj K. Pal ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Burdwan University, Burdwan, IN

Abstract

Megaspores from the uppermost horizon of Raniganj Formation and the lowermost strata of Panchet Formation exposed in the Raniganj Coalfield, West Bengal, have been analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The assemblage recovered from the Raniganj Formation qualitatively comprises Banksisporites psilatus (Bharadwaj & Tiwari) comb, nov., B. panchetensis (Maheshwari & Banerji) Banerji et al., Biharisporites maiturensis Maheshwari & Banerji, B. raniganjensis sp. nov. and Maiturisporites indicus Maheshwari & Banerji. The genus BIHARISPORITES is the most commonly occurring from in this assemblage. The Maitur Member of Panchet Formation yields Banksisporites panchetensis (Maheshwari & Banerji) Banerji et al., B. gondwanensis Maheshwari & Banerji, B. granulosus Maheshwari & Banerji, Biharisporites maiturensis Maheshwari & Banerji, B. luguensis Pal et al., Verrutriletes obscurus (Maheswari & Banerji) Banerji et al., V. distinctus (Maheshwari & Banerji) Banerji et al., Talchirella sinuata Maheshwari & Banerji, T. dubia Maheshwari & Banerji, T. flavata (Kar) Bharadwaj&Tiwari, Pantiella bosei Maheshwari & Banerji, P. bharadwajii Maheshwari&Banerji, P. maheshwarii sp. nov., Maiturisporites indicus Maheshwari & Banerji, M. distinctus Maheshwari & Banerji, M. spinotriletus Maheshwari & Banerji and M. banerjii sp. nov. Some abnormal forms with tetralete sutures have also been recovered from this horizon. Maitur assemblage is characterized by the preponderance of the genus MAITURISPORITES followed by BANKSISPORITES.

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Moumita Basu ¹, Pankaj K. Pal ¹

Affiliations
1 Burdwan University, Golapbag, Burdwan 713 104, IN

Abstract

Floral biology with respect to pollination ecology of Abroma augusta, a traditionally used medicinal plant, has been worked out. The pollination is entomophilous, performed by two species of Diptera, one belonging to Agromyza and the other to Melanagromyza. The former one is overwhelmingly dominant in the visitor-population and found to be much more active within the flower in comparison to the latter, which is somewhat lethargic. Pollinators are primarily attracted by sapromyophilous means. The flower is pendulous and semi-trap type with lateral windows and window-panes. Internally, the flower is differentiated into the androecial and gynoecial chambers separated by a staminodial cup. The plant is obligatorily entomophilous, even for autogamy. A number of floral rewards are offered within the androecial and gynoecial chambers for retention and movement of the pollinators. Pollen deposition over the pollinators is nototribic.

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