TWO GENICULATE CORALLINE SPECIES FROM THE EARLY-MIDDLE MIOCENE OF THE KACHCHH OFFSHORE 89

Journal of the Palaeontological Society of India ISSN 0522-9630

Volume 60(2), December 2015: 89-92

TWO GENICULATE CORALLINE SPECIES FROM THE OFFSHORE SEQUENCE

OF THE CHHASRA FORMATION (EARLY-MIDDLE MIOCENE)
KACHCHH BASIN, WESTERN INDIA

MILIND P. KUNDAL
P.G. DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY, RASHTRASANT TUKADOJI MAHARAJ NAGPUR UNIVERSITY, NAGPUR–440001
E-MAIL.: milind.kundal@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Two geniculate coralline algal species, Arthrocardia indica Kundal and Humane and Jania indica Kundal and Wanjarwadkar, earlier known from the
older formations (Palaeocene and Eocene) of the Middle Andaman and the Kachchh Basin, are recorded from the early-middle Miocene Chhasra Formation
of the Kachchh Basin (offshore sequence), western India. These species occur in association with three dasycladalean algal species, Broeckella baratangensis
Badve and Kundal, Neomeris arenularia Morellet and Pagodaporella wetzeli Elliott. Based on this association, it is inferred that the studied core sequence of
the Chhasra Formation in the offshore as deposited in the inner-shelf environment at 10-12m depth in low- energy conditions.

Keywords: Geniculate coralline algae, Miocene, Kachchh Basin, western India

INTRODUCTION have also yielded four bryozoan species, viz. ?Margaretta sp.,
The early-middle Miocene Chhasra Formation consisting Vincularia sp., Steginoporella sp and ?Thalamoporella sp.
of alternations of fossiliferous limestone bands and oolitic (Kundal, 2014c).
gypseous claystone/silty clay bed is found both in the onshore Arthrocardia indica Kundal and Humane was observed
and the offshore portions of the Kachchh Basin. This is known in sample C2 from GK-28-3 (22°30’N: 68°23’E) (depth 739
to have been deposited in the marginal marine to shallow to 741m), while Jania indica Kundal and Wanjarwadkar was
inner-shelf environment (Biswas, 1992; Mishra, 2009). This found in the sample C7 from GK-1-1 (22°50’N: 68°09’E) (Fig.
formation is rich in calcareous algae as up to now 28 species 2) (depth 1009 to 1011m). Petrographically, the limestone of the
have been known from the onshore portion (Kundal and well GK-28-3 is a foram- algal packstone and that of GK-1-1 is
Humane 2002, 2003, 2006a,b, 2007; Humane and Kundal 2005, the foram algal grainstone.
2010; Humane et al. 2006), and 18 species known from the
offshore portion (Kundal, 2015; Kundal et al., 2015a,b). The SYSTEMATIC TAXONOMY
object of the present paper is to record two species of geniculate Division Rhodophyta Wittstein, 1901
coralline algae from the Chhasra Formation of the Kachchh Class Florideophyceae Cronquist, 1960
Basin (offshore part), earlier reported from the older geological Subclass Corallinophycidae Le Gall and
sequences of India. Saunders, 2007
The Kachchh Basin, the westernmost pericratonic rift Order Corallinales Silva and Johansen, 1986
basin, is situated at the northern end of the western seaboard of Family Corallinaceae Lamouroux, 1812
India and this basin represents the earliest rift during the break Subfamily Corallinoideae Gray, 1821
up of Africa and India (Biswas, 1982) (Fig. 1). The Cenozoic Genus Arthrocardia Decaisne emend.
offshore sequence of the Kachchh Basin is subdivided into eight Areschoug, 1852
formations, namely, Nakhtarana Formation (late Palaeocene), Arthrocardia indica Kundal and Humane, 2002
Jakhau Formation (early Eocene), Fulra Limestone Formation (Pl. I, gs. 2, 3)
(late middle Eocene), Sir Formation (middle to late Eocene), Arthrocardia indica Kundal and Humane: Kundal and Humane, 2002,
Tuna Formation (early Oligocene), Narayan Sarovar Formation p. 95. Kishore et al., 2009, p. 192.
(early Miocene), Godhra Formation (early Miocene), Mitti Nadi Material: Specimen Nos. PGTDG/MF/FCA/710 and 711.
Formation (early Miocene), Chhasra Formation (early middle
Dimensions (in µm):
Miocene) and Kandla Formation (middle Miocene to Recent)
Specimen Number 710 Specimen Number 711
(Mishra, 2009).
Length of Segment 780 1245
MATERIAL AND METHODS Width of segment 300 208
The samples from two, 2 m and 5 m, cores belonging to Number of tiers 8 20
the Chhasra Formation were collected from the Regional Thickness of Core region 300 67-83
Geosciences Laboratory, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Length of Core cell 90 16-8
Ltd., Panvel, Navi Mumbai. Kundal (2014b) assigned an early- Width of Core cell 20 8-16
middle Miocene age to these cores based on the presence Description: Intergenicula cylindrical. Cell rows of core
of two foraminiferal species, Austrotrillina howchini and region join regularly and more or less attened. Cell fusions
Pseudotaberina malabarica. The samples from these cores present. Conceptacle not preserved.
90 MILIND P. KUNDAL

Remarks: The present specimens have similar length and Genus Jania Lamouroux, 1812
width of core cell as that of Arthrocardia indica Kundal and Jania indica Kundal and Wanjarwadkar, 2000
Humane. Therefore, the present specimens are described as (Pl. I, g. 3)
Jania indica Kundal and Wanjarwadkar: Kundal and Wanjarwadkar,
Arthrocardia indica Kundal and Humane.
2000, p.231.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: Middle
Material: Specimen Nos. PGTDG/MF/FCA/761.
Eocene Fulra Limestone Formation, onshore portion of Kachchh
Dimensions (in µm):
Basin, Gujarat (Kundal and Humane, 2002) and middle to late Length of Segment 1020
Eocene Prang Formation, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya (Kishore et Width of segment 210-325
al., 2009). Thickness of Core region 130-245
Horizon and Locality: Chhasra Formation (early middle Length of Core cell 21-35
Miocene) of well GK-28-3 from the Kachchh Offshore Basin. Width of Core cell 14-24

EXPLANATION OF PLATE I
Fig. 1: Arthrocardia indica Kundal and Humane Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/710: Cylindrical intergeniculum in which rows of core region join regularly
from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation. (Well GK-28-3: Sample C2); 2. Arthrocardia indica Kundal and Humane Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/711:
Cylindrical intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region join regularly from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation. (Well GK-28-3:Sample C2);
3. Jania indica Kundal and Wanjarwadkar Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/761: Cylindrical branched intergeniculum with wedge shaped cell which join irregularly
and cell fusions from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation. (Well GK-1-1:Sample C7).
TWO GENICULATE CORALLINE SPECIES FROM THE EARLY-MIDDLE MIOCENE OF THE KACHCHH OFFSHORE 91
Fig. 1. Location map of the Kachchh Offshore Basin.
Description: Intergeniculum cylindrical and branched
dichotomously. Core region consisting of wedge shaped cells
which join irregularly. Peripheral region thin and poorly
preserved. Conceptacle absent.
Remarks: The present specimen shows dichotomous
branching, similar length and width of core cells as that of Jania
indica Kundal and Wanjarwadkar. Hence, the present specimen
is described under Jania indica Kundal and Wanjarwadkar.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution:
Late Palaeocene of Middle Andaman, India (Kundal and
Wanjarwadkar, 2000).
Fig. 2. Lithosection of Wells GK-28-3 and GK-1-1.
Horizon and Locality: Chhasra Formation (early middle
Miocene) of well GK-1-1 from the Kachchh Offshore Basin.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Two geniculate coralline algal species, Arthrocardia
indica Kundal and Humane and Jania indica Kundal and
Wanjarwadkar, are presently recorded from the two, 2 m and
2 m, cores of the Chhasra Formation in the offshore part of the
Kachchh Basin, western India. The present report extends the
geological range of these species to early-middle Miocene and
their geographic range to the offshore part of the Kachchh Basin,
western India. These species occur in association with three
dasycladalean algal species, Broeckella baratangensis Badve
and Kundal, Neomeris arenularia Morellet and Pagodaporella
wetzeli Elliott recorded by Kundal et al. (2015b). The Chhasra
Formation in the offshore part is inferred to have been deposited
in the low-energy inner-shelf environment at 10-12m depths.
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Manuscript Accepted May 2015
 JOURNAL GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF INDIA
Vol.83, June 2014, pp.653-656

Miocene Bryozoa from the Kachchh Offshore Basin, Western India

MILIND P. KUNDAL
Post Graduate Department of Geology, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University,
Law College Square, Nagpur – 440 001
Email: milind.kundal@gmail.com

Abstract: The present paper records for the first time the bryozoan fragments from 4 m core of the Godhra Formation
(early Miocene) and from 4m core and 5 m core of the Chhasra Formation (early middle Miocene) of the Kachchh
Offshore Basin, Western India. The Godhra Formation has presence of three bryozoans, viz., ?Crassimarginatella sp.,
Thalamoporella sp. and Vincularia sp. while the Chhasra Formation has presence of four bryozoans, namely,
?Margaretta sp., Steginoporella sp., ?Thalamoporella sp. and Vincularia sp.

Keywords: Miocene, Bryozoa, Godhra Formation , Chhasra Formation, Kachchh Offshore Basin, Western India.

INTRODUCTION
Kachchh basin is the westernmost pericratonic rift basin
situated at the northern end of the western seaboard of
India and this basin represents the earliest rift during the
break up of Africa and India (Biswas, 1982) (Fig.1). The
Kachchh basin in onland and offshore is filled with
sediments ranging in age from the middle Cretaceous to the
Recent. In the onland part, the Mesozoic sediments are very
thick than the Cenozoic sediments which are present in the
Fig.1. Location map of Kachchh offshore basin.
outer part of the basin bordering the Mesozoic uplifts and
the thickness of the exposed Cenozoic sequence is 700 m,
while it is 5500 m offshore (Mishra, 2009).
The Kachchh offshore basin is filled with sediments
ranging in age from the middle to late Cretaceous to the
Recent. In order of superposition, the various important
formations are: Bhuj (middle to late Cretaceous); Mundra
(middle to late Cretaceous)/Naliya (middle late Cretaceous);
Deccan Trap (late Cretaceous); Nakhtarana (late Paleocene);
Jakhau (early Eocene); Fulra Limestone (late middle
Eocene); Tuna (early Oligocene); Naryansarovar (late
Oligocene); Godhra (early Miocene); Chhasra (early middle
Miocene) and Kandla (middle Miocene to Recent) (Mishra,
2009) (Fig.2).
From the Kachchh onshore basin, Tewari et al. (1960)
and Tewari and Srivastava (1967) have documented
bryozoans. Further, in a series of papers Guha and
Gopikrishna (2003, 2004a, b, 2005a-f, 2007a-d) and Guha
(2013) have documented rich and diverse bryozoan fauna.
Very recently Sonar and Gaikwad (2013 a, b) have
documented five species of Steginoporella and six species
of neocheilostomine bryozoas from the Kachchh onshore
basin. However, nobody documented bryozoans from the
Kachchh offshore basin. In the present paper three
bryozoans, ?Crassimarginatella sp., Thalamoporella sp. and
Vincularia sp. are recorded from the Godhra Formation
while four bryozoans ?Margaretta sp., Steginoporella sp.,
?Thalamoporella sp. and Vincularia sp. are recorded from
the Chhasra Formation (Table 1). The bryozoans were
identified in the thin sections from the core samples from
the three wells KD-1A (N23°15’47.87”: E68°2’33.54”),

0016-7622/2014-83-6-653/$ 1.00 © GEOL. SOC. INDIA

654 MILIND P. KUNDAL
Fig.2. Lithostratigraphy of Kachchh Offshore basin (after Biswas,
1992).
GK-1-1 (N22°50’57.27”: E68°9’46.89”) and GK-28-3
(N22°30’34.07”: E68°23’40.19”).
The Godhra Formation (early Miocene) comprises grey
chalky limestone, minor clay, sandstone and siltstone. The
Godhra Formation is found only in the offshore portion of
the Kachchh basin. The maximum thickness of this
formation is 1200m. The environment of deposition of this
formation is inner shelf (Mishra, 2009). Kundal and Humane
(2012) documented eight geniculate coralline algal species
from this formation. The limestone, i.e. foram algal
grainstone of well KD-1A (Fig.3c) belonging to the Godhra
Formation has the presence of ?Crassimarginatella sp.,
Thalamoporella sp. and Vincularia sp. The Chhasra
Formation (early middle Miocene) comprises alternations
of fossiliferous limestone bands and oolitic gypseous
claystone/silty clay beds. The Chhasra Formation is found
both in onland and offshore portion of Kachchh basin.
Fig.3. Lithosections indicating occurrences of bryozoans from
Kachchh offshore basin.
Table 1. Bryozoans from Kachchh Offshore basin
Name of Formation Bryozoan Assemblage
Chhasra Formation ?Margaretta sp., Steginoporella sp.,
(early middle Miocene) ?Thalamoporella sp., and Vincularia sp.
Godhra Formation ?Crassimarginatella sp., Thalamoporella sp.,
(early Miocene) and Vincularia sp.
This formation is richly fossiliferous and the environment
of deposition is marginal marine to shallow inner shelf
(Biswas, 1992; Mishra, 2009; Kundal and Kundal, 2011).
The limestone, i.e. foram algal grainstone of well GK-1-1
(Fig.3b) belonging to the Chhasra Formation has presence
?Margaretta sp. and Vincularia sp. while limestone i.e.
foram algal packstone of well GK- 28-3 (Fig.3a) belonging
to the Chhasra Formation has presence of Steginoporella
sp., ?Thalamoporella sp.
BRYOZOAN ASSEMBLAGE
The Godhra Formation has presence of
?Crassimarginatella sp. (Fig.4d), Thalamoporella sp.
(Fig.4a) and Vincularia sp. (Fig,4b) while the Chhasra
Formation has presence of ?Margaretta sp. (Fig.4f),
Steginoporella sp. (Fig.4c), ?Thalamoporella sp. (Fig.4g)
and Vincularia sp. (Fig.4e). These bryozoans are identified
after the ‘Treatise on Invertebrate Palaeontology’ by Bassler
(1953) along with the working list recommended by Gordon
(2005).
?Crassimarginatella sp. (Fig.4d) belonging to family
Calloporidae grows as unilaminar, sheet like fronds
encrusted on molluscan shells, larger foraminifera, echinoids
etc. The species shows quincuncial arrangement of
autozooids, oval in shape, sometimes avicularia is present,
ovicells are hyperstomial. Thalamoporella sp. (Fig.4g)
belonging to family Thalamoporellidae is characterized by
encrusting, unilamellar or erect multilamellar, vincularian
form. Autozooids rectangular, quadrangular or sub-
hexagonal to hexagonal, vase shaped. Adoral tubercles are
present lateral to orifice, cryptocyst perforated granular
having two opesiules below the orifice, avicularia vicarious,
ovicells hood like. Thalamoporella sp. (Fig.4a) shows
presence of complete insertion of opesiule. Vincularia sp.
(Fig.4b) belonging to family Quadricellariidae is
characterized by erect, articulated, quadriserial internodes.
Autozooids are dimorphic or trimorphic, similar autozooids
occurring in two adjacent series viz., ordinary autozooids
called c-zooids, avicularian zooids called d-zooids and
ovicelled zooids lacking (in some species), gymnocyst
lacking, cryptocyst narrow , imperforate developed along
lateral and proximal margins of opesia. Avicularia small,
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.83, JUNE 2014
 MIOCENE BRYOZOA FROM THE KACHCHH OFFSHORE BASIN, WESTERN INDIA 655

Fig.4. a: Basal section showing complete insertion of opesiule in Thalamoporella sp.

from early Miocene Godhra Formation. b: Transverse Section of Vincularia sp.
from early Miocene Godhra Formation. c: Basal section of Steginoporella sp. from
early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation. d: Basal section of ?Crassimarginatella
sp. from early Miocene Godhra Formation. e: Longitudinal Section of Vincularia
sp. from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation. f: Transverse Section of
?Margaretta sp. from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation. g: Transverse
Section of ?Thalamoporella sp. from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation.

single, adventitious. Transverse section of Vincularia differentiated in to an incomplete descending cryptocyst

(Fig.4b) gives the idea of arrangement of autozooids. The
longitudinal section of Vincularia (Fig.4e) shows oval
autozooids.
?Margaretta sp. (Fig.4f) belonging to family
Margarettidae is characterized by erect, branched colonies,
constituting roughly cylindrical internodes separated by
chitinous joints. Autozooids perforated, in regularly
alternating whorls, each of 2-6 members. Orifices circular
with tubular peristomes in complete specimens, small
ascophore is present below the orifice, ovicells peristomial,
avicularia wanting. The transverse section of Margaretta
(Fig.4f) whorl confirms the genus. Steginoporella sp.
(Fig.4c) belonging to family Steginoporellidae is
characterized by encrusting, unilamellar or Vincularian
colonies. Autozooids usually dimorphic, the body cavity is
which connects the basal or distal wall, leaving a median
opening prolonged distally into a polypedian tube.
Sometimes avicularian zooids called b-zooids present
ovicells wanting. Figure 4c shows one b-zooid having
distally pair of small a-zooids.
Acknowledgements: The author is grateful to the Director
(Exploration), ONGC, New Delhi and Head, Regional
Geoscience Laboratory as well as Head, Geology
Laboratory, Western Offshore Basin, Mumbai Region,
ONGC, Panvel, Navi Mumbai for providing core samples.
The author is indebted to Dr. Mohan A. Sonar, PG
Department of Geology, Govt. Institute of Science,
Aurangabad (M.S.) for confirming identification of
bryozoans.

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.83, JUNE 2014

656 MILIND P. KUNDAL
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G UHA , A.K. and G OPIKRISHNA , K. (2007b) New fossil
Steginoporellid and Schizoporellid species (Bryozoa,
Cheilostomata) from the Tertiary sequence of Western
Kachchh, Gujarat, India. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.69(4),
pp.801–812.
GUHA, A.K. and GOPIKRISHNA, K.(2007c) Cyclostome Bryozoa from
the (Eocene) Lutetian of Western Kachchh, Gujarat, India. Jour.
Geol. Soc. India, v.69(6), pp.1271–1278.
G UHA , A.K. and G OPIKRISHNA, K. (2007d) New Calloporid
(Bryozoa, Cheilostomata) species from Tertiary sequences of
western Kachchh, Gujarat, India. Jour. Palaeontol. Soc. India,
v.70(1), pp.121–130.
KUNDAL, P. and KUNDAL, M. P. (2011) Calcareous algae from
Middle Eocene to early Miocene Onshore sequence of
Kachchh Basin, Western India: Paleoenvironmental
significance and Hydrocarbon Perspective. In: P. Kundal and
A.M. Pophare (Eds.), Sedimentary Basins of India: Recent
Developments. Gondwana Geol. Mag., Spec. v.12, pp.251-
259.
KUNDAL, M.P. and Humane, S.K. (2012) Geniculate Coralline
Algae From Early Miocene Godhra Formation of Kachchh
Offshore Basin, Western India. Jour. Palaeontol. Soc. India,
v.57(2), pp.143-151.
MISHRA, J. (2009) Kutch-Saurashtra Basin. In: D.S.N. Raju and
R. Misra, (Eds.), Proterozoic and Phanerozoic integrated
Stratigraphy (South- east Asia), Part-I: text. Bull. ONGC,
v.44(2), pp.364-384.
SONAR, M.A. and GAIKWAD, S.G. (2013a) Fossil Steginoporellid
(Cheilostomata:Neocheilostomina), Bryozoa from the Tertiary
sediments of Western Kachchh, Gujarat, India. Jour. Earth Syst.
Sci., v.122(1), pp.149–161.
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Bryozoans from the Tertiary rocks of Western Kachchh,
Gujarat, Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.81(5), pp.665–676.
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 Record of Foraminifera from Late Middle Eocene to Early Middle Miocene sequence 219
Journal of the Palaeontological Society of India ISSN 0522-9630
Volume 59(2), December 2014: 219-226

Foraminifera from the Late Middle Eocene to Early Middle

Miocene sequence of the Kachchh Offshore Basin, Western India:
Paleoenvironmental Significance

MILIND P. KUNDAL
Post Graduate Department of Geology, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University,
Law College Square, Nagpur–440001, India
E-mail: milind.kundal@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The present paper documents 7 foraminifera from the Fulra Limestone (late middle Eocene), 5 foraminifera from the Godhra Formation (early Miocene)
and 13 foraminifera from the Chhasra Formation (early middle Miocene) from the Kachchh Offshore Basin. Out of 7 foraminifera discovered from the
Fulra limestone, 2 foraminifera Linderina and Lockhartia broadly support the late middle Eocene age of this formation; out of 5 foraminifera recorded from
the Godhra Formation, only Miogypsina broadly supports the Early Miocene age of this formation and out of 13 foraminifera documented from the Chhasra
Formation, only 2 foraminifera, Austrotrillina howchini and Pseudotaberina malaberica precisely reinforce early middle Miocene age of this formation.
Based on presence of foraminifera, it is surmised that the core samples of limestone belonging to these three formations (Fulra limestone, Godhra and Chhasra
formations) were deposited in inner shelf environment with a water depth of not more than 50m in low energy condition.

Keywords: Foraminifera, Eocene, Miocene, Palaeoenvironment, Kachchh Offshore Basin, western India.

INTRODUCTION Zone, Nummulites discorbinus-Discocyclina Assemblage Zone

The Kachchh Basin is the westernmost pericratonic rift
basin situated at the northern end of the western seaboard of India
and this basin represents the earliest rift during the break up of
Africa and India (Biswas, 1992) (Fig. 1). The Kachchh Basin in
onland and offshore is filled with sediments ranging in age from
the middle Jurassic to Recent. In the onland part, the Mesozoic
sediments are much thicker than the Cenozoic sediments present
in the outer part of the basin bordering the Mesozoic uplifts and
the thickness of the exposed Cenozoic sequence is 700 m while
it is 5500 m in the offshore (Mishra, 2009).
The sediments of the Kachchh Offshore Basin are
ranging in age from the early Cretaceous to the Recent and
these sediments are divisible into eleven formations, which
in order of superposition are: Bhuj Formation (middle to late
Cretaceous); Mundra Formation (middle to late Cretaceous)/
Naliya Formation (middle late Cretaceous); Deccan Trap (late
Cretaceous); Nakhtarana Formation (late Paleocene); Jakhau
Formation (early Eocene); Fulra Limestone (late middle Eocene);
Tuna Formation (early Oligocene); Narayansarovar Formation
(late Oligocene); Godhra Formation (early Miocene); Chhasra
Formation (early middle Miocene) and Kandla Formation
(middle Miocene to Recent) (Mishra, 2009) (Figure 2).
Many workers (Tewari, 1956; Tewari et al., 1968; Dasgupta,
1973; Raju, 1974; Raju and Drooger, 1978; Jauhri, 1981, 1991,
1994; Saraswati, 1994, 1995; Kumar and Saraswati, 1997;
Sengupta, 2009) documented large number of foraminifera
from the Cenozoic of Kachchh Onshore sequence. Without
illustrating foraminifera, Mehrotra (1989) delineated nine
foraminiferal zones, namely Miscellanea miscella Partial-
Range Zone and Globorotalia pseudomenardii Partial-Range
Zone in late Paleocene; Assilina granulosa-Nummulites mamilla
Assemblage Zone in the early Eocene; Poorly Fossiliferous
Zone, Globigerapsis kugleri- Globorotalia aragonensis
Concurrent Range Zone, Coskinolina-Fasciolites Assemblege
in the middle Eocene; Pellastispira madaraszi-Nummulites
fabianii Assemblage Zone in the late Eocene and Nummulites
fichteli Range Zone in the early Oligocene from three wells
of the Kachchh Offshore sequence. The present paper further
records 7 foraminifera from the Fulra Limestone, 5 foraminifera
from the Godhra Formation and 13 foraminifera from the
Chhasra Formation from the Kachchh Offshore Sequence. The
brief characteristics of these three formations are given here.
The Fulra Limestone (late middle Eocene) is named after the
Fulra village and the Babia Hill near Fulra is the type locality of
this formation. This formation is unconformably overlain by the
Tuna Formation. It comprises cream and buff coloured massive
fossiliferous limestone interspersed with clay and shale at places.
The maximum thickness in offshore is 400m (Mishra, 2009).
The Godhra Formation (early Miocene) occurs only offshore
portion and it unconformably overlies the Chhasra Formation.
It consists of grey chalky limestone, minor clay sandstone and
siltstone. The maximum thickness of this formation is 1200m
(Mishra, 2009). The Chhasra Formation ( early middle Miocene),
named after Chhasra village, is found both in Onshore and
Offshore portion. This formation is unconformably overlain by
the Kandla Formation. It comprises alternations of fossiliferous
limestone bands and oolitic gypseous claystone/silty clay beds
(Mishra, 2009).
In all, thirty six samples were collected from Regional
Geosciences Laboratory, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd.,
Panvel, Navi Mumbai. All the foraminifera are identified in the
thin sections prepared from core samples.
Fifteen limestone samples of the Fulra Limestone (late
middle Eocene) were obtained from well KD-2 (Fig. 3E)
(depth 1019 to 1037m). Nine limestone samples of the Godhra
Formation (early Miocene) were obtained from two wells KD-
1A (Fig. 3D) (depth 1600 to 1604m) and GK-17-1 (Fig. 3C)
(depth 2320 to 2322m). Twelve core samples representing the
220 MILIND P. KUNDAL

Fig. 1. Location map of the Kachchh Basin showing location of wells. (after Ravindran et al., 2012).

Chhasra Formation (early middle Miocene) were obtained from
GK-28-3 (Fig. 3A) (depth 736 to 745m) and GK-1-1 (Fig. 3B)
(depth 1009 to 1018m).
FORAMINIFERAL ASSEMBLAGE
The Fulra Limestone (late middle Eocene) contains 7
foraminifera, namely, Nummulites (Pl. I, Fig. a), Lockhartia (Pl.
I, Fig. d), Globorotalia (Pl. I, Fig. b), Operculina (Pl. I, Fig. h),
Rotalia (Pl. I, Figs. e, g), Textularia (Pl. I, Fig. c) and Linderina
(Pl. I, Fig. f) are observed in this formation. Out of these 7
foraminifera, 2 foraminifera Linderina and Lockhartia broadly
support the late middle Eocene age of the Fulra Limestone
(Table 1).
The Godhra Formation (early Miocene) has presence of 4
foraminifera, viz. Ammonia (Pl. I, Figs. i, j), Operculina (Pl. I,
Fig. k), Miogypsina (Pl. I, Fig. n), Textularia (Pl. I, Fig. m) and
one unidentified agglutinated foraminifer (Pl. I, Fig. l). Out
of these 5 foraminifera Miogypsina broadly supports the early
Miocene age of the Godhra Formation (Table 1).
The Chhasra Formation (early middle Miocene) contains 13
foraminifera, namely Textularia (Pl. II, Fig. j), Globorotalia (Pl.
II, Fig. i), Sphaerogypsina (Pl. II, Fig. g), Operculina (Pl. II, Fig.
l), Planolinderina (Pl. II, Fig. d), Spiroloculina (Pl. II, Fig. a),
Miogypsina (Pl. II, Fig. f), Biloculina (Pl. II, Fig. k), including 3
foraminiferal species viz., Austrotrillina howchini (Pl. II, Fig. b),
Pseudotaberina malaberica (Pl. II, Fig. m), Sorites orbicularis
(Pl. II, Fig. e), Miliolids (Pl. II, Fig. c), Rotalids (Pl. II, Fig.
h) Out of 13 foraminifera, only 2 Austrotrillina howchini and
Pseudotaberina malaberica precisely reinforce early middle
Miocene age of the Chhasra Formation (Table 1).
PALEOENVIRONMENTal SIGNIFICANCE
Larger foraminifera have been common in the shallow
marine shelf carbonates formed in warm water environments
since the Late Palaeozoic. Extensive Cretaceous and Cenozoic
shelf carbonates were produced by large benthic foraminifera.

Plate I
a to h: Foraminifera from Late Middle Eocene Fulra Limestone: a: Nummulites (Sample No. S4). b: Globorotalia (Sample No. S4).
c: Textularia (Sample No. S4). d: Lockhartia (Sample No. S4). e: Rotalia (Sample No. S5). f: Linderina (Sample No. S4). g: Rotalia (Sample No. S4).
h: Operculina (Sample No. S4). i to n: Foraminifera from Early Miocene Godhra Formation: i: Ammonia (Sample No. C12). j: Ammonia (Sample No. C13).
k: Operculina (Sample No. C14). l: Agglutinated foraminifer (Sample No. G1). m: Textularia (Sample No. G6). n: Miogypsina (Sample No. G2).
JournalRecord of Foraminifera
of the Palaeontological Society of India from Late Middle Eocene to Early Middle Miocene sequence 221
Volume 59(2), December 2014

Plate I

KUNDAL
222 MILIND P. KUNDAL

Fig. 2. Lithostratigraphy of the Kachchh Basin.

Larger foraminifera contribute significantly to the formation
of sand-sized carbonate sediments in reefs and other shallow
carbonate environments due to the high turnover rates of the
population (Hallock, 1981). Benthic larger foraminifera with
green and red algal symbionts are restricted to shallow euphotic
areas. Differences in light attenuation by the water column
are reflected by different wall structures (Hohenegger, 1999).
Planktic foraminifera with algal endosymbionts occur in water
depths down to 50 and 100 m. The abundance of foraminifers
supports warm water shelf environment (Rey et al., 1993).
The modern assemblage of Ammonia, Austrotrillina, and
Spiroloculina occur in inner shelf conditions with a water depth
of not more than 50m, while Miogypsina is a eurytopic from
inhabiting lagoon to shallow subtidal environment and low to
high energy conditions (Kumar and Saraswati, 1997). Kathal
(2012) stated that species of Textularia live in cold warm water
(0-500m) in the shelf to bathyal region; Ammonia occurs in inner
shelf; Globorotalia species inhabit inner shelf to bathyal region;
Miliolids occurs at depths of 0-100m and Nummulites at depth
up to 200m. Reiss and Hottinger (1984) pointed out that the
Operculina species occur in low energy and medium light within
the lagoon-shelf region. In general, larger benthic foraminifera
occur in warm waters in the photic zone. Nummulites occurs in
the shallower, inner ramp/shelf settings.
The Fulra Limestone shows presence of 7 foraminifera.
Presence of Nummulites suggests shallower, inner ramp/
shelf settings (Boukhary et al., 2005; Adabi et al., 2008) and
Operculina is indicative of low-energy conditions (Reiss
and Hottinger, 1984). Therefore, it is surmised that the core
samples of the Fulra Limestone were deposited in inner- shelf
environment with water depths not more than 50m with low
energy. The Godhra Formation is characterized by 5 foraminifera.
Presence of Ammonia indicates inner-shelf environment with
depth not more than 50m (Reiss and Hottinger, 1984; Kumar and
Saraswati, 1997). Hence, it is concluded that the core samples
of the Godhra Formation were deposited in the shelf region
with depth of not more than 50m under low-energy conditions.
The Chhasra Formation shows presence of 13 foraminifera.
Austrotrillina and Spiroloculina occur in inner-shelf conditions
with a water depth of not more than 50m (Kumar and Saraswati,
1997) and Operculina is found in low-energy conditions
(Reiss and Hottinger, 1984). Therefore, it is surmised that the
core samples of the limestone of the Chhasra Formation were
deposited in low-energy, inner-shelf environment with a water
depth of not more than 50m.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author is grateful to Professor. P.K. Saraswati,
Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology,
Powai, Mumbai for help in identification of Foraminifera. The

Plate II
Foraminifera from the early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation a: Spiroloculina (Sample No. C1). b: Austrotrillina howchini (Sample No. C2).
c: Miliolid (Sample No. C2). d: Planolinderina (Sample No. C1). e: Sorites orbicularis (Sample No. C3). f: Miogypsina (Sample No.
C3). g: Sphaerogypsina (Sample No. C2) h: Rotaliid (Sample No. C10). i: Globorotalia (Sample No. C2). j: Textularia (Sample No. C1).
k: Biloculina (Sample No. C10). l: Operculina (Sample No. C3). m: Pseudotaberina malabarica (Sample No. C2).
JournalRecord of Foraminifera
of the Palaeontological Society of India from Late Middle Eocene to Early Middle Miocene sequence 223
Volume 59(2), December 2014

Plate II

KUNDAL
224 MILIND P. KUNDAL

Table 1: Stratigraphic ranges and formation-wise distribution of the Foraminifera recorded from late middle Eocene to Early Middle Miocene
Kachchh Offshore (After Loeblich and Tappan, 1964, 1988; Kathal, 2012).
Sr. Name of Foraminifera Stratigraphic range Formation
No. Fulra Limestone Godhra Chhasra
(Late Middle Eocene) (Early Miocene) (Early Middle Miocene)
1. Ammonia Pliocene to Recent A P A
2. Austrotrillina howchini Early Miocene A A P
3. Biloculina (=Pyrgo) Late Eocene to Holocene A A P
4. Globorotalia Paleocene to Recent P A P
5. Linderina Eocene to Miocene P A A
6. Lockhartia Paleocene to Middle Eocene P A A
7. Miogypsina Late Oligocene to Early Miocene A P P
8. Nummulites Paleocene P A A
9. Operculina Eocene to Recent P P P
10. Planolinderina Late Oligocene to Late Miocene A A P
11. Pseudotaberina malaberica Early to Middle Miocene A A P
12. Quinqueloculina Jurassic to Recent A A P
13. Rotalia Late Cretaceous to Recent P A A
14. Sorites orbicularis Miocene to Recent A A P
15. Sphaerogypsina Eocene to Recent A A P
16. Spiroloculina Late Cretaceous to Recent A A P
17. Textularia Pennsylvanian to Recent P P P
*P-Present and A-Absent

Fig. 3. Lithosections showing position of samples yielding foraminifera.

 Record of Foraminifera from Late Middle Eocene to Early Middle Miocene sequence 225
author expresses his gratitude to the Director (Exploration),
ONGC, New Delhi, Head, Regional Geoscience Laboratory and
Head, Geology Laboratory, Western Offshore Basin, Mumbai
Region, ONGC, Panvel, Navi Mumbai for providing core
samples.
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Applications of nummulitids and other larger benthic foraminifera in
depositional environment and sequence stratigraphy; an example from
the Eocene deposits in Zagros Basin, SW Iran. Facies, 54: 499-512.
Biswas, S. K. 1992. Tertiary Stratigraphy of Kutch. Journal Paleontological
Society of India, 37: 1-29.
Boukary, M., Abdelghany, O., Bahr, S., Hussein-Kamal, Y. 2005. Upper
Eocene larger foraminifera from the Dammam Formation in the border
region of United Arab Emirates and Oman. Micropalaeontologica, 51:
487-504.
Dasgupta, A. 1973. Miogypsinidae of Western Kutch. Quarterly Journal of
Geological Mining and Metallurgical Society India, 45: 97-124.
Hallock, P. 1981. Production of carbonate sediments by selected large
benthic foraminifera on two Pacific coral reefs. Journal Sedimentary
Petrology, 51: 467-474.
Hohenegger, J. 1999. Larger foraminifera – microscopical greenhouses
indicating shallow-water tropical and subtropical environments in
the present and past. Occasional Papers of the Kagoshima University
Research Center for the Pacific Islands, 32: 19-45.
Jauhri, A. K. 1981. Early-Middle Miocene benthonic foraminifera from the
Vinjhan-Miani area of Kutch, western India. Journal Palaeontological
Society of India, 26: 54-76.
Jauhri, A. K. 1991. Smaller Benthic Foraminifera from the Middle Eocene
of Kachchh, western India. Journal Palaeontological Society of India,
36: 67-87.
Jauhri, A. K. 1994. Some new Middle Eocene Benthic Foraminifera from
Kachchh, western india. Journal Palaeontological Society of India,
39: 29-53.
Kathal, P. K. 2012. Applied Geological Micropalaeontology. Scientific
Publishers.
Kumar, K. and Saraswati, P. K. 1997. Response of larger foraminifera
to mixed carabonate-siliciclastic environements; an example from
Oligocene-Miocene sequence of Kutch, India. Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 136: 53-65.
Loeblich. Jr. A.R. and Tapaan, H., 1988. Foramininferal genera and their
classification. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York.
Loeblich. Jr. A.R. and Tappan,. H, 1964. Protista 2: Sarcodina, chiefly
“Thecamoebians’ and Foraminiferida”. In: Treatise on Invertebrate
Palaeontology, Part C, (Ed. R. C. Moore), Geological Society of
America, 2.
Mehrotra, K. K. 1989. Paleogene Biostratigraphy of the Kutch Offshore
Area, p. 162-169. In: Micropaleontology of the shelf sequence
of India (Ed Kalia, P.), Proceddings XII Indian Colloquium on
Micropaleontology and Stratigraphy.
Mishra, J. 2009. Kutch-Saurashtra Basin. Proterozoic and Phanerozoic
integrated Stratigraphy (South- east Asia), Part-I: text, (Editors,
S.S.N.Raju and R.Misra), Bulletin Oil and Natural Gas Corporation,
44(2): 364-384.
Raju, D.S.N. 1974. Study of Indian Miogypsinidae. Utrecht
Micropaleontology Bulletin, 9: 1-148.
Raju, D.S.N. and Drooger, C.W. 1978. The genus Planolinderina in India.
Proc. K. Ned. . Akad. Wet. B. 81: 230-247.
Ravindran, C.N., Kundu, R.N., Dasgupta, A., Ramesh, M., Bhatia, B.,
Nalini, R., Mishra, C.S., and Mehrotra, K.L. 2012. Cretaceous
sedimentation history and Hydrocarbon potential of Kachchh Offshore.
Bulletin Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, 47: 16-26.
Rey, J., Gubaynes, R., Qajoun, A. and Ruget, G. 1993. Foraminifers
as indicators of systems tracts and global unconformities. Special
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Reiss, Z. and Hottinger, L. 1984. The Gulf of Aqaba. Ecological
Micropaleontology. Ecological studies, 50, Springer-verlag.
Saraswati, P. K. 1994. Biometric Study of Lepidocyclina (Nephrolepidina)
from Kutch, Saurashtra and Quilon. Journal Geological Society of
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Saraswati, P. K., 1995. Biometry of early Oligocene Lepidocyclina from
Kutch, India. Marine Micropaleontology, 26: 303-311.
Sengupta, S. 2009. Striate Nummulites (Foraminiferida) from the early
Oligocene rocks of Southwestern Kutch. Journal Geological Society
of India, 74(5): 597-600.
Tewari, B. S. 1956. The genus Spiroclypeus from Kutch, western India.
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Manuscript Accepted July 2014
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 Journal of the Palaeontological Society of India ISSN 0522-9630
Volume 57(2), December 2012: 143-151

GENICULATE CORALLINE ALGAE FROM THE EARLY MIOCENE GODHRA

FORMATION OF THE KACHCHH OFFSHORE BASIN, WESTERN INDIA

MILIND P. KUNDAL and S. K. HUMANE

POST GRADUATE DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY, RASHTRASANT TUKADOJI MAHARAJ NAGPUR UNIVERSITY,
RAO BAHADUR D. LAXMINARAYAN CAMPUS, LAW COLLEGE SQUARE, NAGPUR–440001 (M.S), INDIA
E-mail: milind.kundal@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The Godhra Formation (early Miocene) from the Kachchh Offshore Basin reveals presence of a rich assemblage of calcareous algae along with
abundant foraminifera. In the present paper, eight species belonging to five genera of geniculate coralline algae are documented and described. These
include Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri, Calliarthron antiquum Johnson, Corallina grandis Rao, C. hayasaki Ishijima, C. raoi Chatterji and
Gururaja, Jania guamensis Johnson, J. sripadaraoi Kundal and Humane and Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott for the first time. The present
geniculate coralline algal assemblage is associated with the dasycladalean algae and this association points that the limestone of the Godhra
Formation was deposited at a depth of 10-25 m in a marine water environment under low-energy conditions.

Keywords: Geniculate coralline algae, early Miocene, Palaeoenvironment, Godhra Formation, Kachchh, Gujarat

INTRODUCTION The Godhra Formation (early Miocene) is 1200 m thick

The different types of carbonates deposited during the
Paleogene, Neogene and Quaternary periods in the shelf
environment wer e suitable for l uxur iant growth and
accumulation of calcareous algae (Kundal, 2010). As most
Cenozoic algal genera range to present–day environment, they
are potentially useful for palaeoenvironmental interpretations
(Singh et al., 2010). The morphology of coralline crusts and
their growth forms indicate levels of water energies and depth
of deposition (Bosence, 1983; Bassi, 1995; Kishore et al., 2007;
Kundal, 2010).
The Kachchh Basin is the westernmost pericratonic rift
basin situated at the northern end of the western seaboard of
India and this basin represents the earliest rift during the
break up of Africa and India (Biswas, 1982) (Fig. 1a). The
Kachchh Basin (both onland and offshore) is filled with
sediments ranging in age from the Middle Jurassic to Holocene.
In the onland part, the Mesozoic sediments are very thicker
than the Cenozoic sediments which are present in the outer
part of the basin bordering the Mesozoic uplifts and the
thickness of the exposed Cenozoic sequence is 700 m while it
is 5500 m offshore (Mishra, 2009).
A perusal of Table 1 reveals that a rich assemblage of
cal care ous alga e ha s be en documente d fr om the four
formations, Fulra Limestone (35 species) Maniyara Fort (81
species), Khari Nadi (10 species) and Chhasra (28 species)
from Onshore sequence of the Kachchh Basin (Kundal and
Kundal, 2010). However, no record of calcareous algae exists
from the offshore sequence of the Kachchh Basin. The
Cenozoi c Offshore s eque nce of the Kachc hh Basin is
subdivided into ten formations, namely, Nakhtarana Formation
(late Paleocene), Jakhau Formation (early Eocene), Fulra
Limestone Formation (late middle Eocene), Sir Formation
(middle to late Eocene), Tuna Formation (early Oligocene),
Narayan Sarovar Formation (early Miocene), Godhra Formation
(early Miocene), Mitti Nadi Formation (early Miocene), Chhasra
Formation (early middle Miocene) and Kandla Formation
(middle Miocene to Recent) (Mishra, 2009) (Fig. 1b).
and consists of shale/claystone/limestone alternations and
minor sandstone (Mishra, 2009). Nine samples of limestone
were obtained from two wells KD-1A (depth 1600-1604m) and
GK-17-1 (depth 2320-2322m) from Regional Geosciences
Laboratory, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd., Panvel, Navi
Mumbai (Fig. 1c). Petrographically, the limestone is a foram-
algal grainstone (Fig. 2a-d) . The well KD-1A shows presence
of seven genic ulate corall ine alga l specie s, namel y,
Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri, Calliarthron antiquum
Johnson, Corallina grandis Rao, C. hayasaki Ishijima, C. raoi
Chatte rji and Gururaja , J . guame nsis Johnson and J.
sripadaraoi Kundal and Humane, while the well GK-17-1 shows
presence of a solitary species Subterraniphyllum thomasii
Elliott. The geniculate coralline algal species are studied under
petrological microscope.
SYSTEMATIC TAXONOMY
The geniculate coralline algal genera are identified based
upon distinguishing characteristics given by Wray (1977), Bassi
et al. (2000), Kundal and Humane (2006b), Kishore et al. (2011)
and Kundal (2011). The following abbreviations are used to
measure the dimensions of various geniculate coralline algal
species: SN- Specimen Number; LS- Length of Segment; WS-
Width of segment; NT-Number of tiers; TCR- Thickness of
Core region; TPR- Thickness of Peripheral region; LCC- Length
of Core cell; WCC- Width of Core cell; LPC- Length of Peripheral
cell and WPC- Width of Peripheral cell.
Division Rhodophyta Wittstein 1901
Class Florideophyceae Cronquist, 1960
Subclass Corallinophycidae Le Gall and Saunde rs,
2007
Order Corallinales Silva and Johanse n 1986
Family Corallinaceae Lamouroux, 1812
Subfamily Corallinoideae Gray, 1821
Genus Arthrocardia De caisne eme nd. Are schoug,
1852
Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri
144 M. P. KUNDAL AND S. K. HUMANE

(Pl. I, fig. 1; Pl. II, fig. 3) Cretaceous algae from Texas (Johnson, 1969); Maniyara Fort
Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri: Johnson, 1969, pp. 17-18, pl. 7, Formation (Oligocene) and Chhasra Formation (early middle
fig. 3. – Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri: Kundal and Humane, 2002, pp. Miocene) of Onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin, Gujarat
94-95,figs. 7a,b,c,e. – Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri: Kundal and Mude, (Kundal and Humane, 2002); Neogene-Quaternary sediments
2009, pp. 268-269, pl. I, fig 7. in and around Porbandar, Gujarat, India (Kundal and Mude,
Material: Specimen nos. PGTDG/MF/FCA/649,659. 2009).
Dimensions (in µm): Horizon and Locality: Godhra Formation (early Miocene)
SN LS WS NT TCR TPR LCC WCC LPC WPC of well KD-1A of Offshore sequence of Kachchh Basin.
649 656 99-108 5 99-108 - 90-100 5-10 - - Genus Calliarthron Manza, 1937
659 520 170 4 138 16 90-100 4-9 - - Calliarthron antiquum Johnson
Description: Intergenicula cylindrical and ovate. Cell rows (Pl. I, figs. 4-5)
of core region join regularly and more or less flattened. Cell Calliarthron antiquum Johnson: Johnson 1957, p.237, pl.52., figs.
fusions present. Conceptacle not preserved in the specimens. 1and 9. – Calliarthron antiquum Johnson: Johnson 1964, p. G31.–
Remarks: The present specimens have similar length and Calliarthron antiquum Johnson: Kundal and Wanjarwadkar 2000, pp.
width of core cell as that of Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri. 97-98, pl. 28, figs. 1,2,3,5. – Calliarthron antiquum Johnson: Kundal
Therefore the present specimens are described as Arthrocardia and Humane 2002, p. 97, fig. 8. – Calliarthron antiquum Johnson:
cretacica Raineri. Kundal and Mude, 2009, p. 269, pl. I, fig 1.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: Lower Material: Specimen nos. PGTDG/MF/FCA/651,652.

Fig. 1a. Location map of the Kachchh Basin showing position of wells. 1b. Lithostratigraphy of the Kachchh Basin (after Mishra, 2009).
1c. Lithosections showing distribution of geniculate coralline algae.
Journal of the GENICULATE CORALLINE
Palaeontological Society of India ALGAE FROM THE EARLY MIOCENE GODHRA FORMATION 145
Vol ume 57(2), December 2012
Plate I

KUNDAL AND HUMANE

EXPLANATION OF PLATE I
1. Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri, Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/ 651.
649. 5. Calliarthron antiquum Johnson, Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/
2. Corallina grandis Rao, Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/650. 652.
3. Corallina raoi Chatterji and Gururaja, Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/ 6. Corallina hayasaki Ishijima, Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/654.
FCA/655. 7. Corallina grandis Rao, Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/653.
4. Calliarthron antiquum Johnson, Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/
146 M. P. KUNDAL AND S. K. HUMANE

Table 1: Calcareous Algae from mi ddle Eocene to earl y mi ddle Miocene onshore sequence of the Kachchh Basi n, w estern India.
Name of the Formation Authors
Sandhan Formation
Chhasra Kundal and Humane (2002, 2003,
Formation 2006a, 2007b); Humane and Kundal
(early middle Miocene) (2005, 2010); Humane, Kundal and
Naitam (2006)
Khari Nadi Formation Pal and Ghosh (1974); Kundal and
(early Miocene age) Humane (2002, 2006b); Humane and
Kundal (2010)
Maniyara Tandon, Gupta and Saxena (1978);
Fort Singh and Kishore (2001); Misra,
Formation Jauhri, Singh, Kishore and
(Oligocene) Chowdhury (2001); Kundal and
Humane (2002, 2003,2006b, 2007a,
2007b); Ghosh (2002): Singh,
Kishore,Misra, and Jauhri (2002)
Humane and Kundal (2005, 2010);
Singh, Kishore, Singh, Misra and
Jauhri (2009); Singh, Kishore, Jauhri
and Misra (2011).
Fulra Kar (1979); Singh and Kishore
Limestone (2001); Kundal and Humane (2002,
Formation 2003, 2005, 2006b, 2007a); Humane
(middle Eocene) and Kundal (2005, 2006, 2010);
Misra, Jauhri, Singh and Kishore
(2006); Singh, Kishore, Misra, Jauhri
and Gupta (2010)
Harudi Formation
Naredi Formation
Matanomadh Formation
Algal assemblage
Absent
Cyanophycean algae: Rivularia lissaviensis (Bornemann) Dragastan, R. dianae (Dragastan
and Bucur) and Rivularia sp.
Coralline algae: Amphiroa anchiverricosa Johnson and Ferris, Arthrocardia cretacica
Raineri and Calliarthron antiquum Johnson, Corallina elliptica Ishijima, C. hayasaki
Ishijima, C. kachchhensis Kundal and Humane, C. marshallensis Johnson, C. matansa
Johnson, C. prisca Johnson, C. raoi Chatterji and Gururaja, C. typica Ishijima, Lithophyllum
sp., Lithoporella melobesioides (Foslie) Foslie, Lithothamnion cardinellense Fravega,
Piazza and Vannucci, Metagoniolithon sp., and Sporolithon affine Howe
Dasyclads: Acroporella sp., Broeckella sp., Clypeina sp., Neomeris plagnensis Deloffre, N.
ramwadaensis Kundal and Humane and Orioporella sp.
Halimedacean alga: Halimeda cylindracea Decaisne
Udoteacean algae: Ovulites margaritula Lamarck and O. pyriformis Schwager
Coralline algae: Aethesolithon cutchensis Pal and Ghosh, A. problematicum Johnson,
Amphiroa anchiverricosa Johnson and Ferris, Archaeporolithon miocenicum Pal and Ghosh,
Calliarthron antiquum Johnson, Jania badvei Kundal and Humane, Lithophyllum aff. L.
kladosum Johnson, Lithothamnion florea-brassica (Millet) Lemoine, Mesophyllum commune
Lemoine and Sporolithon eniwetokensis Johnson
Coralline algae: Amphiroa anchiverricosa Johnson and Ferris, Amphiroa sp., Arthrocardia
cretacica Raineri, A. indica Kundal and Humane, A. konitaensis Ishijima, Arthrocardia sp.1,
Corallina delicatula Johnson and Ferris, C. elliptica Ishijima, C. grandis Rao, C.
kachchhensis Kundal and Humane, C. marshallensis Johnson, C. matansa Johnson, C.
otsukiensis Ishijima, Corallina sp.1, Corallina sp. 2, Jania badvei Kundal and Humane, J.
guamensis Johnson, J. indica Kundal and Wanjarwadkar, J. mayei Johnson, J. sripadaraoi
Kundal and Humane, J. vetus Johnson, Lithophyllum bermotiensis Tandon, Gupta and
Saxena, Lithophyllum sp. A, Lithophyllum sp. B, Lithophyllum sp. C, Lithoporella
melobesioides (Foslie) Foslie, L. minus Johnson, Lithoporella sp., Lithothamnion
cardinellense Fravega, Piazza and Vannucci, L. giammarinoi Fravega, Piazza and
Vannucci, Lithothamnion iorii Maslov, L. manni Johnson and Stewart, L. nanosporum
Johnson and Ferris, L. tectifons Mastrorilli, L. florea-brassica (Millet) Lemoine,
Lithothamnion sp.1, Lithothamnion sp. 2, Lithothamnion sp.3, Lithothamnion sp.,
Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. 1, Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. 2, Melobesioideae
gen. et spec. indet. 3, Mesophyllum commune Lemoine, M. curtum Aguirre and Braga, M.
koritzae Lemoine, M. roveretoi Contii, Mesophyllum sp. A, Mesophyllum sp. B,
Mesophyllum sp.1, Mesophyllum sp.2, Mesophyllum sp., Neogoniolithon sp. 1 Bassi and
Nebelsick, Neogoniolithon sp. 2 Hassan and Ghosh, Neogoniolithon sp. 2 Neogoniolithon
sp., Spongites sp., Sporolithon brevium (Lemoine) Aguirre and Braga, Sporolithon
taiwanensis Ishijima, Sporolithon sp. 1 Bassi and Nebelsick and Sporolithon sp.
Dasyclads: Acicularia sp., Goniolina sp., Cymopolia sp., Neomeris sp. and Salpingoporella
sp.
Halimedacean algae: Halimeda fragilis Taylor, H. incrassata (Ellis) Lamouroux, H.
opuntia (Linneaus) Lamouroux, H. tuna (Ellis and Solander) Lamouroux and Halimeda sp.
Udoteacean algae: Ovulites margaritula Lamarck and O. pyriformis Schwager
Coralline algae: Arthrocardia indica Kundal and Humane, Arthrocardia sp., Calliarthron
antiquum Johnson, Corallina crossmanni Lemoine, C. marshallensis Johnson, Jania
guamensis Johnson, J. mayei Johnson, J. sripadaraoi Kundal and Humane, J. vetus
Johnson, Lithophyllum sp. Lithoporella melobesioides (Foslie) Foslie, Lithoporella minus
Johnson, Lithothamnion sp. cf. L. bofilli Lemoine, Lithothamnion ishigakiensis Johnson,
Lithothamnion roveretoi Airoldi, Lithothamnion sp. cf. L. validum Foslie, Melobesioideae
gen. et spec. indet. 1, Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. 2, Mesophyllum contii Ishijima,
Mesophyllum sp., Neogoniolithon sp. 1, Phymatolithon sp., Spongites sp., Sporolithon
keenani Johnson, Sporolithon sp. 1 and Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott
Dasyclads: Cymopolia sp., Dissocladella longijangensis Mu and Wang and Morelletpora sp.
Halimedacean algae: Halimeda cylindracea Decaisne and H. opuntia (Linneaus)
Lamouroux
Udoteacean algae: Ovulites arabica (Pfender) Massieux, O. elongata Lamarck, O.
margaritula Lamarck and O. pyriformis Schwager
Absent
Absent
Absent

Dimensions (in µm):
SN LS WS NT TCR TPR LCC WCC LPC WPC
651 470 296-418 4 280-402 8 84-110 8-11 - -
652 610 300-350 7 274-324 26 70-80 8-10 - -
Description: Intergenicula subcylindrical. Cell rows of core
region joi n re gula rly and core fil aments s inuous, and
interlacing. Peripheral region thin and having sparse cells. Cell
fusions present. Conceptacle not preserved.
Remarks: The pre sent spe cime ns c lose ly r esemble
Calliarthron antiquum Johnson.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: Early
Miocene of Saipan, Mariana Islands (Johnson, 1957); early
Miocene of Guam (Johnson, 1964); late Paleocene of Middle
Andaman Island, Andaman (Wanjarwadkar, 2000); middle
Eocene to early Miocene of Onshore sequence of Kachchh
Bas in, Guja rat (Kundal and Huma ne 2002) ; Ne ogene-
Journal of the GENICULATE CORALLINE
Palaeontological Society of India ALGAE FROM THE EARLY MIOCENE GODHRA FORMATION 147
Vol ume 57(2), December 2012
Plate II

KUNDAL AND HUMANE

EXPLANATION OF PLATE II
1. Geni cul ate Coralli nes sensu lato, Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/ 4. Jania guamensis Johnson, Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/657.
FCA/662. 5. Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/
2. Jania sripadaraoi Kundal and Humane, Specimen no. PGTDG/ FCA/661.
MF/FCA/658. 6. Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/
3. Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri, Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/ FCA/660.
659.
148 M. P. KUNDAL AND S. K. HUMANE
Quaternary sediments in and around Porbandar, Gujarat, India
(Kundal and Mude, 2009).
Horizon and Locality: Godhra Formation (early Miocene)
of well KD-1A of Offshore sequence of Kachchh Basin,
Gujarat.
Genus Corallina Linnaeus, 1758
Corallina grandis Rao
(Pl. I, fig. 7)
Corallina grandis Rao: Rao, 1943, pp. 286-287, pl. 2, figs.
16,17,18, text figs. 27-30. - Corallina grandis Rao: Kundal and Humane,
2003, pp. 264-265, pl. 5, fig. 1. - Corallina grandis Rao: Mude and
Kundal, 2012, pp. 73-75, pl. 2, fig c.
Material: Specimen nos. PGTDG/MF/FCA/650,653.
Dimensions (in µm):
SN LS WS NT TCR TPR LCC WCC LPC WPC
650 628 150-238 3 100-142 48 83 9-13 - -
653 506 108-285 2 58-235 25 42-58 8-15 - -
Description: Intergenicula conical in shape. Core region
shows regular rows of cells. Peripheral region thin. Conceptacle
absent.
Remarks: The pre sent spe cime ns have coni cal
intergenicula and similar length and width of core cells like
Corallina grandis Rao.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: Sylhet
Limestone Formation (Eocene), Khasi Hills, Assam (Rao, 1943).
Maniyara Fort Formation (Oligocene) at Maniyara Dam,
Onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin, Gujarat, India (Kundal
and Humane, 2003) and late Miocene to late Hol ocene
sediments of Porbandar Group, Gujarat (Mude and Kundal,
2012).
Horizon and Locality: Godhra Formation(early Miocene)
of well KD-1A of Offshore sequence of Kachchh Basin.
Corallina hayasaki Ishijima
(Pl. I, fig. 6)
Fig. 2a-d. Microphotographs showing foram-algal grainstone.
Corallina hayasaki Ishijima: Ishijima 1954, pp. 72, p. 40. 3,5,7,8;
pl.41 fig. 12.– Corallina hayasaki Ishijima: Kundal and Humane, 2003,
pp. 265-266, pl.3, fig.1.– Corallina hayasaki Ishijima: Kundal and Mude,
2009, p. 271, pl. I, fig 5.
Material: Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/654.
Dimensions in (µm):
SN LS WS NT TCR TPR LCC WCC LPC WPC
654 413 295-400 4 271-376 12 85-95 3-10 - -
Description: Intergeniculum rectangular. Cells rows of core
region join regularly. Peripheral region is thin. Conceptacle
absent.
Remarks: The present specimen is similar to Corallina
hayasaki Ishijima in length and width of core cells as well as
the shape of intergeniculum.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: Miocene
limestone of Binangonan, Rizal state, Ruzon Island, Philippine,
Western Pacific (Ishijima, 1954), early middle Miocene Chhasra
Formation, Onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin, Gujarat, India
(Kunda l and Humane , 2003) and Neogene- Quaterna ry
sediments in and around Porbandar, Gujarat, India (Kundal
and Mude, 2009).
Horizon and Locality: Godhra Formation of well KD-1A
of Offshore sequence of Kachchh Basin.
Corallina raoi Chatterji and Gururaja
(Pl. I, fig. 3)
Corallina raoi Chatterji and Gururaja: Chatterji and Gururaja,1972,
pp.141, Pl.39, fig.5.– Corallina raoi Chatterji and Gururaja: Kundal and
Humane, 2003, pp.271-272, pl.3, fig.4.
Material: Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/655.
Dimensions in (µm):
SN LS WS NT TCR TPR LCC WCC LPC WPC
655 1287 241-373 13 187-319 42 67-83 8-12 24 16
Description: Intergeniculum subcylindrical and long. Core
region consists of thirteen to fourteen cell rows which join
 GENICULATE CORALLINE ALGAE FROM THE EARLY MIOCENE GODHRA FORMATION
regularly. Peripheral region thin. Conceptacle absent.
Remarks: On the basis of dimension of core cells and
peripheral cells the present specimen is described as Corallina
raoi Chatterji and Gururaja.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: Early
Miocene (Aquitanian) of Archipelago Series, Western Coast,
Wilson Island, Andaman (Chatterji and Gururaja, 1972), Chhasra
Formation (early middle Miocene) and Onshore sequence of
Kachchh Basin, Gujarat, India (Kundal and Humane, 2003).
Horizon and Locality: Godhra Formation (early Miocene)
of well KD-1A of Offshore sequence of Kachchh Basin.
Genus Jania Lamouroux, 1812
Jania guamensis Johnson
(Pl. II, fig. 4)
Jania guamensis Johnson: Johnson, 1964, p.G-36, pl.12, figs. 1-
3.– Jania guamensis Johnson: Kundal and Wanjarwadkar, 2000, p.231,
pl. 1, fig. 2, pl. 3, fig. 2.– Jania guamensis Johnson: Kundal and Humane,
2006b, p. 633, pl.2, figs. 2-3.– Jania guamensis Johnson: Mude and
Kundal, 2012, p. 75, pl. 2, fig b.
Material: Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/657.
Dimensions (in µm):
SN LS WS NT TCR TPR LCC WCC LPC WPC
657 1107 186-229 - 150-193 18 26-39 13-26 - -
Description: Intergeniculum sinuous. Cell rows of core
region join irregularly and core cells are wedge shaped. Cell
fusions clearly visible. Peripheral region poorly preserved.
Conceptacle lacking.
Remarks: The dimension of core cells in the present
specimen is similar to Jania guamensis Johnson. Therefore
the present specimen is kept under Jania guamensis Johnson.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: Early
Micoene of Guam, Mariana Island (Johnson, 1964); late
Pal eoce ne of Mi ddle Andaman, India (Kundal and
Wanjarwadkar, 2000); middle Eocene to early Miocene Onshore
sequence of Kachchh Basin, Gujarat, India (Kundal and
Humane, 2006b) and late Miocene to late Holocene sediments
of the Porbandar Group, Gujarat (Mude and Kundal, 2012).
Horizon and Locality: Godhra Formation (early Miocene)
of well KD-1A of Offshore sequence of Kachchh Basin.
Jania sripadaraoi Kundal and Humane
(Pl. II, figs. 2)
Jania sripadaraoi Kundal and Humane: Kundal and Humane, 2006b,
p. 634, pl.1, figs.1,2. Jania sripadaraoi Kundal and Humane: Kundal
and Mude, 2009, p.272, pl. I, fig 9,12.
Material: Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/658.
Dimensions (in µm):
SN LS WS NT TCR TPR LCC WCC LPC WPC
658 780 110-180 3 66-136 22 99-109 4-12 - -
Description: Intergeniculum cylindrical to subcylindrical.
Core cell rows join irregularly. Core cells wedge shaped.
Peripheral region thin. Conceptacle not preserved.
Remarks: The dimension of core cells are similar to Jania
sripadaraoi Kundal and Humane. Therefore, the present
specimen is identified as Jania sripadaraoi Kundal and
Humane.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: Middle
Eocene to early Miocene Onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin,
Gujarat, India (Kundal and Humane, 2006b) and Neogene-
Quaternary sediments in and around Porbandar, Gujarat, India
(Kundal and Mude, 2009).
Horizon and Locality: Godhra Formation (early Miocene)
149
of well KD-1A of Kachchh Offshore Basin of Offshore
sequence of Kachchh Basin.
Genus Subterraniphyllum Elliott, 1957
Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott
(Pl. II, figs. 5-6)
Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott: Elliott , 1957, pp.73-75,
pl.13.– Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott: Beckmann and Beckmann,
1966, pp.1-45, pl.8, fig.112.– Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott:
Mastrorilli, 1968, pp.1275-1284, pls.1-4.– Subterraniphyllum thomasii
Elliott: Vannucci, Basso and Fravega, 2000, pp.237-246, pl.1-4.–
Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott: Bassi, Woelkerling and Nebelsick,
2000, pp.405-425, pl.1,2,3.– Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott: Kundal
and Humane, 2005, figs 2a,b,c.d, fig 3a,b,c,d. Subterraniphyllum thomasii
Elliott: Mude and Kundal, 2011, pp 51-55, pl. 1.
Material: Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/660-661.
Dimensions (in µm):
SN LS WS NT TCR TPR LCC WCC LPC WPC
660 1743 411- - 411- - 33-44 11-22 - -
744 744
661 Circular in - - - 48-31 13-19 - -
shape
diameter is
444µm
Description: Intergenicula subcylindrical and circular.
Intergeniculum exhibits bifurcation. Intergeniculum composed
of core region, peripheral region and epithallium. Cells in the
core region rectangular to polygonal having thick cell wall.
Peripheral region in 2-4 rows. Cells in the peripheral region
rectangular to polygonal having thick cell wall. Cells in both
core region and peripheral region show cell fusions. Epithallial
cells in one row but sparsely preserved and present only top
right side of segment. Epithallial cells rectangular but smaller
than cells in the core and peripheral region. A pear-shaped
uniporate conceptacle having lining cells pre sent. The
conceptacle having width 286µm and height 360µm.
Remarks: The dimension of cel ls in both core and
peripheral region are as like that of Subterraniphyllum thomasii
Elliott. The present material has presence of conceptacle having
lining cells like Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott documented
by Vannucci et al. (2000) from late Eocene to Oligocene, Molare
Formation, Italy. Therefore the present specimens are described
as Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: Tertiary
calcareous algae (Elliott, 1957), Oligocene Formation lying
northeast to Ponzne (Piedmont) (Mastrorilli, 1968), late Eocene
to Oli goce ne, Mola re Forma tion outcropping cl ose to
Alessandria NW Italy (Vannucci, Basso and Fravega, 2000),
Oligocene rocks from northen Slovenia north east Italy (Bassi,
Woelkerling and Nebelsick, 2000), Fulra Limestone Formation
(late middle Eocene) onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin,
Gujarat, India (Kundal and Humane, 2005) and lower to middle
Miocene Dwarka Formation, Porbandar, Saurashtra, Gujarat,
India (Mude and Kundal, 2011).
Horizon and Locality: Godhra Formation (early Miocene)
of well GK-17-1 of Offshore sequence of Kachchh Basin.
Geniculate Corallines sensu lato
(Pl. II, fig.1)
Geniculate Corallines sensu lato: Bassi and Nebelsick, 2000, p.115,
pl.5, fig.4-6
Material: Specimen no. PGTDG/MF/FCA/662
Description: Intergeniculum does not contain rows. Cells
150 M. P. KUNDAL AND S. K. HUMANE
are not clearly differentiated into core and peripheral regions.
Conceptacle absent.
Remarks: Following the scheme of Bassi and Nebelsick
(2000), the present specimen is identified as Geniculate
Corallines sensu lato Bassi and Nebelsick.
Horizon and Locality: Godhra Formation (early Miocene)
of well KD-1A of Kachchh Offshore Basin of Offshore sequence
of the Kachchh Basin.
DISCUSSION
The pre sent genicul ate cora lline al gal asse mbla ge
comprises eight species belonging to five genera, namely
Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri, Calliarthron antiquum
Johnson, Corallina grandis Rao, C. hayasaki Ishijima, C. raoi
Cha tter ji and Gur uraj a, J ania guame nsis Johnson, J .
sripadaraoi Kundal and Humane and Subterraniphyllum
thomasii Elliott. Present geniculate coralline algal assemblage
is associated with the dasycladalean algae (not described here).
Without indicating precise depth of deposition, Mishra
(2009) surmised that the Godhra Formation was deposited in
the inner-shelf environment. As corallines occupy a large depth
range from 0 to 270 m (Littler et al., 1986), the present geniculate
algal a ssemblage is not i ndic ative of prec ise depth of
deposition. However, the present assemblage is useful to
denote energy conditions prevailing during the deposition of
the Godhra Formation. Bosence (1991) noted that coralline
algae growing in high-energy conditions have robust, fused
framework with thick crusts, branches and columns, while those
growing in low-energy conditions have delicate framework with
thin branches and crusts. Nearly all the present coralline algal
specie s ha ve thin crus ts w ith no branc hes exce pt
Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott (Pl. II, fig. 6). They thus
indicate low-energy conditions.
The living dasycladales generally occur at depths of 10-
12 m below low-tide level in marine conditions (Johnson, 1961),
but rarely at depths of 25 m (Valet, 1979). Wray (1977) and
Genot (1991) concluded that dasycladales are always known
from marine environment and restricted to tropical warm water.
Dragastan et al. (2005) surmised that dasycladaleans are
restricted to open lagoon environment having low-energy
conditions. Hence, the association of geniculate coralline algal
assemblage with dasycladalean points out that the limestone
of the Godhra Formation was deposited at a depth of 10-25 m
in marine environment under low-energy conditions.
REPOSITORY
The specimens studied are kept in the Micropaleontology
Laboratory of the Postgraduate Department of Geology, RTM
Nagpur University, Nagpur.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The first author (MPK) is a bonafide Ph.D. student of
Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur and
this work is a part of his ongoing Ph. D work “Sedimentology
and Paleoalgology from the Cenozoic sediments of the Kachchh
Offshore Basin, India: Significance in reconstruction of
paleoenvironments and hydrocarbon exploration”. The first
author (MPK) is grateful to the Geological Society of India,
Bangalore for the award of “L. Rama Rao Research Grant” for
this work incorporated in the present paper. The authors thank
Prof. Pradeep Kundal for his constant support and fruitful
suggestions and to the Director (Exploration), ONGC, New
Delhi and Head, Regional Geoscience Laboratory and Head,
Geology Laboratory, Western Offshore Basin, Mumbai Region,
ONGC, Panvel, Navi Mumbai for providing core samples.
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Accepted July 2012
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CORALLINA (CORALLINALES, RHODOPHYTA) FROM EARLY MIDDLE MIOCENE
CHHASRA FORMATION OF OFFSHORE SEQUENCE OF KACHCHH BASIN, WESTERN
INDIA

MILIND P. KUNDAL

PG Dept. of Geology, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur–440001

Email Id: milind.kundal@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Corallina, a geniculate coralline alga, is characterized by intergeniculum having core region and
peripheral region, cell rows of core region join regularly, presence of cell fusions but absence of
secondary pit connections and uniporate conceptacle disposed axially or laterally. Corallina ranges from
late Paleocene to the Recent. The thin sections of two core of the two wells belonging to the early
middle Miocene Chhasra Formation of Offshore Sequence of Kachchh Basin, Western India have
preponderance of Corallina as in all the present paper reports eleven species of Corallina, viz. C. crassa
Ishijima, C. delicatula Johnson and Ferris, C. elliptica Ishijima, C. grandis Rao, C. kachchhensis Kundal
and Humane, C. marshallensis Johnson, C. matansa Johnson, C. otsukiensis Ishijima, C. prisca Johnson,
C. raoi Chatterji and Gururaja and C. typica Ishijima. Out of eleven species, one species Corallina.
crassa Ishijima is documented first time from India. The species of Corallina occurs in company of
three dasycladalean species, namely Broeckella baratangensis Badve and Kundal, Neomeris arenularia
Morellet and Pagodaporella wetzeli Elliott and this association points that the cores belonging to the
early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation of Offshore Sequence of Kachchh Basin were deposited in
inner shelf environment at 10-15m depth in low-energy conditions.

Key Words: Corallina, Miocene, Chhasra Formation, Shelf Environment, Kachchh Basin.

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INTRODUCTION:

The Kachchh Basin is the westernmost

pericratonic rift basin situated at the northern end
of the western seaboard of India and this basin
represents the earliest rift during the break up of
Africa and India (Biswas, 1982) (figure 1). The
Kachchh Basin in Onland and Offshore is filled
with sediments ranging in age from the middle
Jurassic to Holocene. In the Onland part, the
Mesozoic sediments are very thick than the
Cenozoic sediments which are present in the outer
part of the basin bordering the Mesozoic uplifts
and the thickness of the exposed Cenozoic
sequence is 700 m while it is 5500 m in Offshore
(Mishra, 2009). In order of superposition, the
various important formations occurring in
Kachchh Offshore are: Bhuj Formation (middle to
late Cretaceous); Mundra Formation (middle to
Figure 1: Location map of Kachchh Offshore
late Cretaceous)/Naliya Formation (middle late
Basin.
Cretaceous); Deccan Trap (late Cretaceous);
Nakhtarana Formation (late Paleocene); Jakhau
The different types of carbonates deposited
Formation (early Eocene); Fulra Limestone
during the Paleogene, Neogene and Quaternary
Formation (late middle Eocene); Tuna Formation
periods in the shelf environment were suitable for
(early Oligocene); Naryansarovar Formation (late
luxuriant growth and accumulation of calcareous
Oligocene); Godhra Formation (early Miocene);
algae (Kundal, 2010). The early middle Miocene
Chhasra Formation (early middle Miocene) and
Chhasra Formation of Onshore Sequence of
Kandla Formation (middle Miocene to Recent)
Kachchh Basin, Western India is rich in
(Mishra, 2009) (figure ).
calcareous algae as 28 species have been
documented by Kundal and Humane (2002, 2003,
2006a, 2006b, 2007a, 2007b), Humane and
Kundal (2005, 2010) and Humane et al. (2006).
However, no record of calcareous algae exists
from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation of
Offshore Sequence of Kachchh Basin. The aim of
the present paper is to record 11 species of
Corallina from the early middle Miocene Chhasra

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Formation of Offshore Sequence of Kachchh
Basin.
The Chhasra Formation, named after
Chhasra village, is found both in Onshore and
Offshore portion of Kachchh Basin. This
formation is 116 m thick and comprises
alternations of fossiliferous limestone bands and
oolitic gypseous claystone/silty clay beds. This
formation has presence of biotic constituents such
as foraminifers, bivalves, ostracods, ichnofossils,
gastropods, echinoids, bryozoa, corals and
calcareous algae. The environment of deposition
is marginal marine to shallow inner shelf and the
age of this formation is early middle Miocene
(Zutshi et al. 1993; Zutshi and Panwar 1997;
Pande and Dave 1998; Mishra 2009).
have presence of foraminifers, calcareous algae,
bryozoa, gastropods and nanofossils. Calcareous
algae were studied in thin sections under
petrological microscope. Thin sections were
prepared as per routine method. Samples of
calcareous rocks were cut parallel and
perpendicular to the bedding plane. The thickness
of thin section was kept more, i.e. 50-60 microns
more than the other thin sections for mineralogical
and petrological studies. Sedimentlogically wells
GK-28-2 comprises of Foram Algal Packstone
Facies while well GK-1-1 comprises of Foram
Algal Grainstone Facies.

Figure 2: Lithostratigraphy of Kachchh Basin.

METHODOLOGY:
In all 12 core samples representing the Chassra
Formation were obtained from wells GK-28-2
(depth from 738 to 745 m) and GK-1-1 (depth
from 1009 to 1016 m) from Regional Geosciences
Laboratory, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd.,
Panvel, Navi Mumbai. The core comprises
dominantly alternation of cream to grey coloured,
medium to fine grained limestone and siltstone
with minor bands of sandstone. The core samples
Figure 3: Lithosection of Wells GK-28-3 and GK-
1-1.
SYSTEMETIC DESCRIPTION :
The 11 species of Corallina viz. C. crassa
Ishijima, C. delicatula Johnson and Ferris, C.
elliptica Ishijima, C. grandis Rao, C.

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kachchhensis Kundal and Humane, C. SN LS WS N TCR TP LC WC L W
T R C C P P
marshallensis Johnson, C. matansa Johnson, C. C C
otsukiensis Ishijima, C. prisca Johnson, C. raoi 719 600 304- 8 266- 19 64- 7-10 - -
287 249 70
Chatterji and Gururaja and C. typica Ishijima are 720 1184 257- 1 209- 24 60- 8-14 - -
identified based upon distinguishing 281 6 233 75

characteristics given by Wray (1977) and Kundal

(2010, 2011). Description: Intergenicula subcylindrical. Cell
The following abbreviations are used to rows of core region join regularly. Cells
measure the dimensions of species of Corallina: rectangular. Peripheral region thin.
SN- Specimen Number; LS- Length of Segment; Remarks: The present specimens are having
WS-Width of Segment; NT-Number of tiers; similar features as Corallina crassa Ishijima.
TCR- Thickness of Core region; TPR- Thickness Therefore these specimens are described under
of Peripheral region; LCC- Length of Core cell; Corallina crassa Ishijima. This species is being
WCC- Width of Core cell; LPC- Length of reported first time from India.
Peripheral cell and WPC- Width of Peripheral
cell. Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution:
Miocene of Arakura Mizuho-mura, Minami-gun,
Division : Rhodophyta Wittstein, 1901 Yamanashi Prefecture, Western Pacific (Ishijima,
Class : Florideophyceae Cronquist, 1954).
1960 Occurrence: Well GK-28-3, sample C1.
Subclass : Corallinophycidae Le Gall
and Saunders, 2007
Order : Corallinales Silva and Corallina delicatula Johnson and Ferris
Johansen, 1986 (Pl. I, Fig. c)
Family : Corallinaceae Lamouroux,
1812 Corallina delicatula Johnson and Ferris: Johnson
Subfamily : Corallinoideae (Areschoug) and Ferris, 1949, 197, pl. 39, fig. 4.
Foslie Corallina delicatula Johnson and Ferris: Singh et
Genus : Corallina Linnaeus, 1758 al., 2009, 21, pl. 4, fig. 3, 4.
Corallina delicatula Johnson and Ferris: Singh et
Corallina crassa Ishijima al., 2011, 182, pl. 2, fig.7, pl.3.
(Pl. I, Figs. b, f)
Material: Specimen No.
Corallina crassa Ishijima: Ishijima, 1954, 65, pl. PGTDG/MF/FCA/721.
XXXIX, fig. 1 Dimensions (in µm):
SN LS WS NT TCR TPR LCC WCC LPC WPC
721 930 156- 6 132- 12 75- 3-12 - -
Material: Specimen Nos. 246 222 100
PGTDG/MF/FCA/719, 720.
Dimensions (in µm):
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Description: Intergeniculum subcylindrical. Cell Remarks: The dimensions of core cells and shape
rows of core region join regularly. Core cell of intergenicula of the present specimen are
rectangular in shape. Peripheral region thin. similar to Corallina elliptica Ishijima. Therefore
Conceptacle absent. the present specimen is described as Corallina
Remarks: The present specimen closely resembles elliptica Ishijima. Kundal and Humane (2003)
Corallina delicatula Johnson and Ferris. Singh et reported this species from Oligocene Maniyara
al. (2009 and Singh et al. (2011) documented this Fort and early middle Miocene Chhasra
species from Oligocene Maniyara Fort Formation, Formations of Onshore sequence of Kachchh
Kachchh Onshore Sequence. Basin.

Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution:

Eocene of East Borneo, East Indies (Johnson and Miocene of Arakura Mizuho-mura, Minami-gun,
Ferris, 1949) and Oligocene Maniyara Fort Yamanashi Prefecture, Western Pacific (Ishijima,
Formation, Onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin 1954) and Oligocene Maniyara Fort Formation
(Singh et al. , 2009 and Singh et al., 2011). and early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation,
Occurrence: Well GK-28-3, sample C5. Onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin (Kundal and
Humane, 2003; Kundal, 2014).
Corallina elliptica Ishijima Occurrence: Well GK-28-3, sample C2.
(Pl. III, Fig. f)
Corallina grandis Rao
Corallina elliptica Ishijima: Ishijima, 1954, 70, pl. (Pl. I, Figs. a, d)
44, figs. 5a, b, c
Corallina elliptica Ishijima: Kundal and Humane, Corallina grandis Rao: Rao, 1943, 286-287, pl. 2,
2003, 264, pl.2, fig. 2, pl. 2, fig. 2, pl.3, fig. 2, figs. 16, 17, 18, text figs. 27-30.
pl.4, fig.3 Corallina grandis Rao: Kundal and Humane,
2003, 264-265, pl. 5, fig. 1.
Material: Specimen No. Corallina grandis Rao: Mude and Kundal, 2012,
PGTDG/MF/FCA/745. 73-75, pl. 2, fig c.
Dimensions (in µm): Corallina grandis Rao: Kundal and Humane,
S LS WS N TC TP LC WC LP WP 2012, 148, pl. I, fig. 7
N T R R C C C C
74 92 313 9 275 19 65- 6-13 - -
5 8 - - 98 Material: Specimen Nos.
500 462
PGTDG/MF/FCA/723,724.
Dimensions (in µm):
Description: Intergeniculum elliptical. Core
SN LS WS NT TCR TPR LCC WCC LPC WPC
region consists of cell rows which join regularly. 723 640 201- 7 201- - 63- 7-15 - -
320 320 70
These rows are 6 to 10 in numbers. Peripheral
724 930 83- 17 11- 36 43- 6-12 - -
region thin. Conceptacle absent. 216 144 58

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5 - - - 75
685 270 240
Description: Intergenicula conical. The base of 72 525 200 5 170 15 75- 10- - -
intergenicula somewhat broad. Cell rows of core 6 - - 90 15
280 250
region join regularly. Peripheral region thin. 72 975 100 5 62- 19 65- 6-13 - -
Conceptacle not present. 7 - 327 71
365
Remarks: The present specimens have conical
intergenicula and similar length and width of core
Description: Elliptical intergenicula. Core region
cells like Corallina grandis Rao. Kundal and
consists of regular cell rows. Peripheral region
Humane (2003) reported this species from
thin with absence of conceptacle.
Oligocene Maniyara Fort Formation of Onshore
Remarks: The present specimens closely resemble
sequence of Kachchh Basin and Kundal and
Corallina kachchhensis Kundal and Humane.
Humane (2012) reported this species from early
Kundal and Humane (2003) reported this species
Miocene Godhra Formation of Offshore sequence
from Oligocene Maniyara Fort Formation and
of Kachchh Basin.
early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation of
Onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution:
Sylhet Limestone Formation (Eocene), Khasi
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution:
Hills, Assam (Rao, 1943). Oligocene Maniyara
Oligocene Maniyara Fort Formation and early
Fort Formation, Onshore sequence of Kachchh
middle Miocene Chhasra Formation, Onshore
Basin (Kundal and Humane, 2003); early
sequence of Kachchh Basin (Kundal and Humane,
Miocene Godhra Formation of Offshore sequence
2003; Kundal, 2014).
of Kachchh Basin (Kundal and Humane, 2012)
Occurrence: Well GK-28-3, sample C2.
early to middle Miocene Dwarka Formation,
Porbandar, Gujarat, India (Mude and Kundal,
Corallina marshallensis Johnson
2012; Kundal et al., 2014).
(Pl. II, Figs. c, d, f)
Occurrence: Well GK-28-3, sample C1, C2.
Corallina marshallensis Johnson: Johnson, 1961a,
Corallina kachchhensis Kundal and Humane
941, pl. 277, figs. 2, 3
(Pl. I, Fig. e; Pl. II, Figs. a, b)
Corallina marshallensis Johnson: Kundal and
Humane, 2003, 268-269, pl. 3, fig. 3, pl.4, fig.2,
Corallina kachchhensis Kundal and Humane:
pl. 5, fig.2
Kundal and Humane, 2003, 266, pl. 2 fig. 4, pl. 3
Corallina marshallensis Johnson: Kundal and
fig. 5, pl.4, fig. 4, pl. 5 fig. 3.
Mude, 2009, 267-274, pl. I, fig 4.
Material: Specimen Nos.
PGTDG/MF/FCA/725-727.
Material: Specimen Nos.
Dimensions (in µm):
SN LS WS N TC TP LC WC LP WP
PGTDG/MF/FCA/728-730.
T R R C C C C
72 570 150 8 120 15 60- 5-15 - -

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Dimensions (in µm): Corallina matansa Johnson
S LS W N TC TP LC WC LP WP (Pl. III, Fig. a)
N S T R R C C C C
72 720 280 7 280- - 93- 6-10 - -
8 - 390 103 Corallina matansa Johnson: Johnson, 1957, 238-
390 239, pl.44, figs.3, 4
72 720 260 10 230- 15 67- 10-15 - -
9 - 330 78 Corallina matansa Johnson: Johnson, 1964, C11,
360 pl.8
73 157 100 6 42- 29 80- 5-10 - -
0 0 - 256 100 Corallina matansa Johnson: Johnson and Kaska,
314 1965, 117, pl.21, fig. 1
Corallina matansa Johnson: Kundal and Humane,
Description: Intergenicula cylindrical. Core 2003, 269, pl.2, fig.3, pl.5, Fig. 5
region consists of regular cell rows of elongated
cells. Peripheral region two layered. Conceptacle Material: Specimen No.
not preserved. PGTDG/MF/FCA/746.
Remarks: The dimension of cells in both core and Dimensions (in µm):
peripheral region matches well with Corallina S LS WS N TP TC LC WC LP WP
N T R R C C C C
marshallensis Johnson. Therefore the present 74 85 100 4 - 100 40- 6-11 - -
specimens are described as Corallina 6 3 - - 70
260 260
marshallensis Johnson. Kundal and Humane
(2003) reported this species from three
Description: Intergeniculum heart shaped. Core
formations, late middle Eocene Fulra Limestone,
region consists of regular arched rows of cells.
Oligocene Maniyara Fort and early middle
Conceptacle and peripheral region absent.
Miocene Chhasra of Onshore sequence of
Remarks: The present specimen is similar to
Kachchh Basin.
Corallina matansa Johnson in dimension of core
cells and its habit. Therefore the present specimen
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution:
is described as Corallina matansa Johnson.
Miocene of Eniwetok (Johnson, 1961a); late
Kundal and Humane (2003) reported this species
middle Eocene Fulra Limestone Formation,
from Oligocene Maniyara Fort and early middle
Oligocene Maniyara Fort Formation and early
Miocene Chhasra Formations of Onshore
middle Miocene Chhasra Formation, Onshore
sequence of Kachchh Basin.
sequence of Kachchh Basin (Kundal and Humane,
2003; Kundal, 2014) and early to middle Miocene
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution:
Dwarka Formation, Porbandar, Gujarat, India
Early Miocene of Mariana Island (Johnson, 1957),
(Kundal and Mude, 2009; Kundal et al., 2014).
Eocene of Ryukyu-retto (Johnson, 1964); early
Occurrence: Well GK-28-3, sample C1, C2; Well
Eocene of Guatemala (Johnson and Kaska, 1965)
GK-1-1, sample C7.
and Oligocene Maniyara Fort Formation and early
middle Miocene Chhasra Formation, Onshore

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sequence of Kachchh Basin (Kundal and Humane, Onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin (Kundal and
2003; Kundal, 2014). Humane 2003 and Singh et al., 2011).
Occurrence: Well GK-28-3, sample C2. Occurrence: Well GK-28-3, sample C3.

Corallina otsukiensis Ishijima

(Pl. II, Fig. e; Pl. III, Fig. d) Corallina prisca Johnson
(Pl. III, Figs. b, c, e; Pl. IV, Figs. a, b)
Corallina otsukiensis Ishijima: Ishijima, 1954, 71,
pl. 40, fig. 10 Corallina prisca Johnson: Johnson, 1957, 239,
Corallina otsukiensis Ishijima: Kundal and pl.37, fig.4, pl.40, fig.10, pl.44, Figs.1, 2, 7-11
Humane, 2003, 269, pl. 5, fig. 4 Corallina prisca Johnson: Johnson, 1961a, 940.
Corallina otsukiensis Ishijima: Singh et al., 2011, Corallina prisca Johnson: Johnson, 1961b, 70,
182, pl.2, fig.6. pl.41, fig.1
Corallina prisca Johnson: Misra et al., 2002, 724-
Material: Specimen Nos. 725, Pl.1, fig.4
PGTDG/MF/FCA/732,733. Corallina prisca Johnson: Kundal and Humane,
Dimensions (in µm): 2003, 269-271, pl. 1, figs.2, 3, 4, pl. 2.
SN LS WS N TC TP LC WC LP WP Corallina prisca Johnson: Kundal and Mude,
T R R C C C C
73 798 199 4 131- 34 85- 5-15 - - 2009, 267-274, pl. I, fig 2, 3, fig.1
2 - - 388 114 Corallina prisca Johnson: Kundal et al. , 2013,
855 456
73 750 360 7 312- 24 72- 6-18 - - 30-31, pl. V, fig. d
3 - - 462 108
870 510
Material: Specimen Nos. PGTDG/MF/FCA/735-
739.
Description: Intergenicula crown shape at top
Dimensions (in µm):
with tapered bottom. Core region consists of SN LS WS N TC TP LC WC LP WP
regular rows of cells. Peripheral region thin and T R R C C C C
73 670 170 7 170- - 76- 6-12 - -
poorly preserved. Conceptacle absent. 5 - 270 86
270
73 780 70- 4 50- 10 50- 5-10 - -
Remarks:
6 200 180 70
The present specimens match well with Corallina 73 115 75- 8 25- 20 65- 5-10 - -
otsukiensis Ishijima. Kundal and Humane (2003) 7 0 650 610 85
73 880 160 7 140- 10 55- 5-10 - -
and Singh et al. (2011) reported this species from 8 - 184 65
Oligocene Maniyara Fort Formation, Onshore 204
73 114 531 8 139- 30 75- 8-16 - -
sequence of Kachchh Basin. 9 5 - 471 105
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution 199

Miocene limestone of Otsuki, Kitatsuru-gun, Description: Intergenicula slender having

Yamanashi Perfecture, Western Pacific (Ishijima, swelling and pinching outline and tapering ends.
1954); Oligocene Maniyara Fort Formation of Core region shows regular rows of core cells.
20 | P a g e
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Peripheral region thin and poorly preserved.
Conceptacle absent.
Remarks: The present specimens are placed under
Corallina prisca Johnson on the basis of their
gross appearance and dimension of core cells.
Kundal and Humane (2003) reported this species
from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation of
Onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution:
Late Eocene of Mariana Island (Johnson, 1957);
late Eocene of Eniwetok, Saipan (Johnson,
1961a); late Paleocene Lakadong Formation,
Shillong, NE India (Misra et al. 2002); early
middle Miocene Chhasra Formation, Onshore
sequence of Kachchh Basin (Kundal and Humane,
2003; Kundal, 2014); early to middle Miocene
Dwarka Formation, Porbandar, Gujarat, India
(Kundal and Mude, 2009; Kundal et al., 2014) and
middle to late Eocene Bassein Formation,
Mumbai Offshore Basin (Kundal et al. , 2013).
Occurrence: Well GK-28-3, sample C2; Well
GK-1-1, sample C8, C10.
Corallina raoi Chatterji and Gururaja
(Pl. IV, Fig. f)
Corallina raoi Chatterji and Gururaja: Chatterji
and Gururaja, 1972, 141, pl.39, fig.5.
Corallina raoi Chatterji and Gururaja: Kundal
and Humane, 2003, 271-272, pl.3.
Corallina grandis Rao: Kundal and Humane,
2012, 148-149, pl. I, fig. 3.
Material: Specimen Nos. PGTDG/MF/FCA/741.
Dimensions (in µm):
SN LS WS NT TCR TPR LCC WCC
741 478 300- 5 273- 27 82- 7-12
406 379 90
Description: Intergeniculum subcylindrical and
long. Core region consists of cell rows which join
regularly. Peripheral region thin and poorly
preserved. Conceptacle absent.
Remarks: On the basis of dimension of core cells,
the present specimen is described as Corallina
raoi Chatterji and Gururaja. Kundal and Humane
(2003) reported this species from early middle
Miocene Chhasra Formation of Onshore sequence
of Kachchh Basin and Kundal and Humane (2012)
reported this species from early Miocene Godhra
Formation of Offshore sequence of Kachchh
Basin.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution:
Early Miocene (Aquitanian) of Archipelago
Series, , Western Coast, Wilson Island, Andaman
(Chatterji and Gururaja, 1972), early middle
Miocene Chhasra Formation, Onshore sequence of
Kachchh Basin (Kundal and Humane, 2003;
Kundal, 2014) early Miocene Godhra Formation
of Offshore sequence of Kachchh Basin (Kundal
and Humane, 2012).
Occurrence: Well GK-28-3, sample C1.
Corallina typica Ishijima
(Pl. IV, Figs. c, d, e)
Corallina typica Ishijima: Ishijima, 1954, 70,
pl.44, figs.2a, b and 4
Corallina typica Ishijima: Kundal and Humane,
2003, 272-274, pl.1, figs. 1, 5 pl. 4.
Corallina typica Ishijima: Kundal and Mude,
2009, 267-274, pl. I, figs. 6, 8.
LPC WPC Material: Specimen Nos. PGTDG/MF/FCA/742-
- -
744.

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Dimensions (in µm):
SN LS WS N TC TP LC WC LP WP
T R R C C C C
74 116 315 16 271- 22 67- 87- - -
2 2 - 293 75 14
337
74 110 213 14 185- 28 75- 7-14 - -
3 7 - 192 82
220
74 122 288 6 226- 31 71- 7-14 - -
4 4 - 289 78
351
Description: Intergenicula cylindrical. Core
region shows regular rows of core cells. Peripheral
region poorly preserved. Conceptacle is absent.
Remarks: The present specimens are similar to
Corallina typica Ishijima in their typical habit i.e.
cylindrical shape and the length of the core cells.
Therefore the present specimens are described as
Corallina typica Ishijima. Kundal and Humane
(2003) reported this species from early middle
Miocene Chhasra Formation of Onshore sequence
of Kachchh Basin.

Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: PLATE I: SPECIES OF CORALLINA FROM

Miocene Limestone of Kawaguchi Formation of
Kuboi, Oshi-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanshi
Prefecture, Western Pacific, Western Pacific
(Ishijima ,1954); early middle Miocene Chhasra
Formation, Onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin
(Kundal and Humane, 2003; Kundal, 2014) and
early to middle Miocene Dwarka Formation,
Porbandar, Gujarat, India (Kundal and Mude,
2009; Kundal et al., 2014).
Occurrence: Well GK-28-3, sample C2; Well
GK-1-1, sample C11.
EARLY MIDDLE MIOCENE CHHASRA
FORMATION
Fig. a: Corallina grandis Rao
Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/723: Conical
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample C1).
Fig. b: Corallina crassa Ishijima
Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/720: Subcylindrical
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample C2).

Fig. c: Corallina delicatula Johnson and Ferris

Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/721:
Subcylindrical intergeniculum in which cell rows

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of core region join regularly (Well GK-28-3,
Sample C5). PLATE II:SPECIES OF CORALLINA FROM
EARLY MIDDLE MIOCENE CHHASRA
Fig. d: Corallina grandis Rao FORMATION
Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/724: Conical
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region Fig. a: Corallina kachchhensis Kundal and
join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample C2). Humane Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/725: Elliptical
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
Fig. e: Corallina kachchhensis Kundal and join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample C2).
Humane, Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/726:
Elliptical intergeniculum in which cell rows of Fig. b: Corallina kachchhensis Kundal and
core region join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample Humane,Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/727: Elliptical
C2). intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample C2).
Fig. f: Corallina crassa Ishijima
Sp.No.PGTDG/MF/FCA/719: Subcylindrical Fig. c: Corallina marshallensis Johnson
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/730: Cylindrical
join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample C2). intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
join regularly (Well GK-1-1, Sample C7).

Fig. d: Corallina marshallensis Johnson

Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/729: Cylindrical
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample C2).

Fig. e: Corallina otsukiensis Ishijima ,

Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/732: Crown shaped at
top with tapered bottom intergeniculum in which
cell rows of core region join regularly (Well GK-
28-3, Sample C3).

Fig. f: Corallina marshallensis Johnson

Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/728: Cylindrical
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample C1).

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Fig. d: Corallina otsukiensis Ishijima,
Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/733: Crown shaped at
top with tapered bottom intergeniculum in which
cell rows of core region join regularly (Well GK-
28-3, Sample C3).

Fig. e: Corallina prisca Johnson,

Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/739: Slender
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
join regularly (Well GK-1-1, Sample C10).

Fig. f: Corallina elliptica Ishijima ,

Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/745: Elliptical
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample C2).

PLATE III: SPECIES OF CORALLINA FROM

EARLY MIDDLE MIOCENE CHHASRA
FORMATION

Fig. a: Corallina matansa Johnson,

Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/746: Heart shaped
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample C2).

Fig. b: Corallina prisca Johnson,

Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/735: Slendor shaped
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample C2).

Fig. c: Corallina prisca Johnson,

Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/737: Slender
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region PLATE IV: SPECIES OF CORALLINA FROM
join regularly (Well GK-1-1, Sample C8). EARLY MIDDLE MIOCENE CHHASRA
FORMATION
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Fig. a: Corallina prisca Johnson
Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/738: Slender
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
join regularly (Well GK-1-1, Sample C10).
Fig. b: Corallina prisca Johnson ,
Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/736: Slender shaped
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
join regularly (Well GK-1-1, Sample C8).
Fig. c: Corallina typica Ishijima
Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/744: Cylindrical
intergeniculum in which cell rows of core region
join regularly (Well GK-1-1, Sample C11).
Fig. d: Corallina typica Ishijima ,
Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/742: Cylindrical
shaped intergeniculum in which cell rows of core
region join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample C2).
Fig. e: Corallina typica Ishijima,
Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/743: Cylindrical
shaped intergeniculum in which cell rows of core
region join (Well GK-28-3, Sample C2).
Fig. f: Corallina raoi Chatterji and Gururaja, Sp.
No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/741: Subcylindrical shaped
long intergeniculum in which cell rows of core
region join regularly (Well GK-28-3, Sample C1).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
The present paper reports eleven species of
Corallina, viz. C. crassa Ishijima, C. delicatula
Johnson and Ferris, C. elliptica Ishijima, C.
grandis Rao, C. kachchhensis Kundal and
Humane, C. marshallensis Johnson, C. matansa
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Johnson, C. otsukiensis Ishijima, C. prisca
Johnson, C. raoi Chatterji and Gururaja and C.
typica Ishijima from the early middle Miocene
Chhasra Formation of Offshore Sequence of
Kachchh Basin, Western India.
An analysis of stratigraphic distribution
of species of Corallina in Kachchh Basin reveals
that Corallina crassa Ishijima occurs only in
early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation,
Kachchh Offshore Sequence as it is documented
first time from India. Two species, namely,
Corallina prisca Johnson and Corallina typica
Ishijima in addition to their present record from
early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation,
Kachchh Offshore Sequence also occur in early
middle Miocene Chhasra Formation of Onshore
sequence of Kachchh Basin (Kundal and Humane,
2003). Two species, namely Corallina delicatula
Johnson and Ferris and Corallina otsukiensis
Ishijima in addition to their present record from
early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation,
Kachchh Offshore Sequence also occur in
Oligocene Maniyara Fort Formation of Kachchh
Onshore Sequence (Kundal and Humane, 2003;
Singh et al., 2009; 2011).
Three species, namely Corallina elliptica
Ishijima, Corallina kachchhensis Kundal and
Humane and Corallina matansa Johnson in
addition to their present record from early middle
Miocene Chhasra Formation, Kachchh Offshore
Sequence also occur in Oligocene Maniyara Fort
and early middle Miocene Chhasra Formations of
Onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin (Kundal and
Humane, 2003).
Remaining three species, namely Corallina
grandis Rao, Corallina marshallensis Johnson
and Corallina raoi Chatterji and Gururaja have
diversified occurrences. Corallina grandis Rao in
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addition to its present record from early middle
Miocene Chhasra Formation, Kachchh Offshore
Sequence also occurs in Oligocene Maniyara Fort
Formation of Onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin
(Kundal and Humane, 2003) and early Miocene
Godhra Formation of Offshore sequence of
Kachchh Basin (Kundal and Humane, 2012);
Corallina marshallensis Johnson in addition to its
present record from early middle Miocene
Chhasra Formation, Kachchh Offshore Sequence
also occurs in three formations, late middle
Eocene Fulra Limestone, Oligocene Maniyara
Fort and early middle Miocene Chhasra of
Onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin (Kundal and
Humane, 2003) and Corallina raoi Chatterji and
Gururaja in addition to its present record from
early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation,
Kachchh Offshore Sequence also occurs in early
middle Miocene Chhasra Formation of Onshore
sequence of Kachchh Basin (Kundal and Humane,
2003) and early Miocene Godhra Formation of
Offshore sequence of Kachchh Basin( Kundal and
Humane, 2012).
The Chhasra Formation of Kachchh
Onshore sequence was deposited in marginal
marine to shallow inner shelf (Zutshi et al., 1993;
Zutshi and Panwar, 1997; Pande and Dave, 1998
and Mishra, 2009). Kundal and Kundal (2010)
deduced shallow marine water environment (10-
25) under moderate to high energy conditions for
this formation. The species of Corallina do not
indicate precise depth of deposition. However, the
species of Corallina occurs in company of three
dasycladalean species, namely Broeckella
baratangensis Badve and Kundal, Neomeris
arenularia Morellet and Pagodaporella wetzeli
Elliott and this association point that the cores
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belonging to the Chhasra Formation of Offshore
Sequence of Kachchh Basin were deposited in
inner shelf environment at 10-15m depth in low-
energy conditions (Kundal, 2013).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
The author is grateful to the Director
(Exploration), ONGC, New Delhi and Head,
Regional Geoscience Laboratory as well as Head,
Geology Laboratory, Western Offshore Basin,
Mumbai Region, ONGC, Panvel, Navi Mumbai
for providing core samples.
REFERENCES:
BISWAS, S. K. (1982): Rift basins in western
margin of India with special reference to
hydrocarbon prospects. Bulletin American
Association Petroleum Geologists, 66(10):1497-
1513.
CHATTERJI, A.K. and GURURAJA, M.N.
(1972): Coralline algae from Andaman Islands,
India Records. Geological Survey of India, 99
(2): 133-144.
HUMANE, S. K. and KUNDAL, P. (2005):
Halimedacean and Udoteacean Algae from the
Mid Tertiary Western Carbonate Platform of the
Kachchh, India: Possible paleoenvironments and
Evolution, Journal Environmental
Micropaleontology, Microbiology and
Meiobenthology , 2: 4-27.
HUMANE, S. K. and KUNDAL, P. (2010):
Nongeniculate Coralline algae from Middle
Eocene to Late Lower Miocene of southwestern
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KUNDAL, M. P. and HUMANE, S.K. (2012):
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KUNDAL, P. (2010) Biostratigraphic,
paleobiogeographic and Paleoenvironmental
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KUNDAL, P. and HUMANE, S. K.
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and MISRA, P. K. (2011): Coralline algae
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Edited by Mude, S. N., Pardeshi, R. G. and Mache, R. N.
Published by Deccan Education Society’s Fergusson College, Pune-411004, India
Published @ 2015
 JOURNAL GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF INDIA
Vol.83, February 2014, pp.183-190

Neogene-Quaternary Calcareous Algae from Saurashtra Basin,

Western India: Implications on Paleoenvironments
and Hydrocarbon Exploration

P. KUNDAL1, MILIND P. KUNDAL1 and S. N. MUDE2

1
Post Graduate Department of Geology, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur - 440 001
2
Department of Geology, Fergusson College, Pune - 411 007
Email: pradeepkundal@gmail.com

Abstract: The Cenozoic and Quaternary sediments of Saurashtra basin encompass signatures of sea level fluctuations,
environments of deposition and presence of hydrocarbons. These sediments are divided into seven formations that in
order of superposition are: Deccan Trap (late Cretaceous to Eocene), Gaj (early Miocene), Dwarka (middle Miocene to
early Pliocene), Miliolite (middle Pleistocene), Chaya (late Pleistocene to late Holocene), Katpur (middle Holocene)
and Mahuva Formation (late Holocene). The fossil calcareous algae are significant constituents of these sediments and
in all 88 species so far have been recorded by different workers from three prominent areas: Dwarka-Okha area (38
coralline algal species:28 nongeniculate and 10 geniculate ), Porbandar area (37 coralline algal species:25 nongeniculate
and 12 geniculate species) and Diu area (13 calcareous algal species:6 nongeniculate coralline algal species, 5 geniculate
coralline algal species; 1 dasycladalean algal species and 1 halimedacean algal species) of the Saurashtra basin. The
present paper provides a checklist of these 88 calcareous algal species documented from the different formations of this
basin and their implications for paleoenvironments and petroleum exploration.

Keywords: Neogene-Quaternary, Calcareous algae, Paleoenvironment Hydrocarbon exploration, Saurashtra basin.

INTRODUCTION halimedacean algal species) of the Saurashtra basin. In

The Saurashtra basin, a pericratonic shelf basin, is
located in the northern part of western continental margin
of India and this basin trends NNW-SSE (Fig. 1). The basin
lies north of commercially proven the Mumbai Offshore
Basin and south of highly prospective Kachchh basin.
Pandey et al. (2007) have provided a modified litho-
stratigraphic classification of the Cenozoic–Quaternary
sediments of the Saurashtra basin based on their own work
and extensive work done of several workers (Mathur et al.
1988; De, 1989; Jain, 1997; Bhatt, 2000, 2003) (Table 1).
The Cenozoic –Quaternary sediments of the Saurashtra basin
encompass signatures of sea level fluctuations, environments
of deposition and presence of hydrocarbons. The fossil
calcareous algae are significant constituents of these
sediments and in all 88 species so far have been recorded
from three prominent areas: Dwarka-Okha area (38 coralline
algal species: 28 nongeniculate and 10 geniculate),
Porbandar area (37 coralline algal species:25 nongeniculate
and 12 geniculate species) and Diu area (13 calcareous algal
species:6 nongeniculate coralline algal species; 5 geniculate
coralline algal species; 1 dasycladalean algal species and 1
the Dwarka-Okha area, early Miocene to late Holocene
sediments are exposed. The Porbandar area exposes
sediments ranging in age from middle Miocene to late
Holocene. The Diu area has presence of sediments from
middle Pleistocene to late Holocene age.
Algae in which CaCO 3 is deposited by organic
processes and this CaCO3 gives a skeleton for the entire
plant or part of plant and are known as calcareous algae
(Riding, 1993). The calcareous algae have multifarious
applications in hydrocarbon exploration, such as a potential
tool for reconstruction of paleoenvironment, as builder of
carbonate reservoir rocks and reefs (Kundal, 2010, 2011;
Kundal and Kundal, 2010). The present paper provides a
checklist of 88 calcareous algal species documented up till
today from the different formations by many researchers of
the Saurashtra basin and their implications on paleo-
environments and hydrocarbon exploration.
CALCAREOUS ALGAE IN SAURASHTRA BASIN
Dwarka-Okha Area
Kundal and Dharashivkar (2003a, b, 2005) and Kishore

0016-7622/2014-83-2-183/$ 1.00 © GEOL. SOC. INDIA

184 P. KUNDAL AND OTEHRS
Fig.1. Location map of Saurashtra basin
et al. (2012) have documented 38 coralline algal species (25
nongeniculate and 10 geniculate) from the early Pliocene to
late Holocene sediments of the Dwarka-Okha area (Table 2).
Porbandar Area
Kundal and Mude (2009a, b, 2010) and Mude and
Kundal (2011, 2012) have documented 37 coralline algal
species (25 nongeniculate and 12 geniculate species) from
middle Miocene to late Holocene sediments of the Porbandar
area (Table 3). The 7 coralline algal genera documented
by Kundal and Mude (2004) are not considered here as they
wrongly classified sediments exposed at Visavada and
Bhavpada villages under the Gaj Formation (early Miocene).
However, in his doctoral work Mude (2008) rightly classified
the sediments exposed at Visavada and Bhavpada villages
under middle Miocene Dwarka Formation. Accordingly
Kundal and Mude (2009a, 2010) and Mude and Kundal
(2012) described the 7 coralline algal genera under different
species.
Diu Area
Kundal et al. (2011) have documented 13 calcareous
algal species (6 nongeniculate coralline algal species; 5
geniculate coralline algal species; 1 dasycladalean algal
species and 1 halimedacean algal species) from middle
Pleistocene sediments of the Diu area (Table 4).
IMPLICATION OF CALCAROUS ALGAE IN
RECONSTRUCTION OF PALEOENVIRONMENTS
General Facts about Calcareous Algae
Adey and Macintyre (1973) concluded that the corallines
are exclusively marine and distributed from tropical to
polar regions. Wray (1977) stated that lithophylloids
(Lithophyllum) are common in warm temperate environment
and Lithoporella strictly occurs in the tropical regions and
all geniculate forms occur in tropical and sub-tropical waters.
Amphiroa generally thrives in waters less than 30 m depth
(Cloud, 1952) but is common at depths between 20 and 25
m (Johnson, 1957). Adey (1979) gave the following generic
associations of nongeniculate coralline algae for
palaeobathymetry.
Depth Coralline algal assemblage
Intertidal – 20m Neogoniolithon, Porolithon, Lithophyllum
and Hydrolithon
20 – 40m Neogoniolithon, Lithophyllum,
Hydrolithon, Titanoderma and
Mesophyllum
40 – 60m Mesophyllum, dominant with Sporolithon,
Lithothamnion and Lithophyllum
60 – 100m Mesophyllum and Lithothamnion with
(Possibly 200m) Sporolithon and Lithophyllum
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.83, FEB. 2014
 NEOGENE-QUATERNARY CALCAREOUS ALGAE FROM SAURASHTRA BASIN, WESTERN INDIA 185

Table 1. Lithostratigraphy of Cenozoic-Quaternary deposits of Saurashtra (after Pandey et al. 2000)

Stratigraphic Unit
Lithology Age
Group Formation Member
Mahuva Unconsolidated freshwater alluvium (sands and clays), coastal Late Holocene
Formation deposits; lime mud, Rann clays, calcareous sands with marine
calcareous skeleton and shells
Katpur Oxidised and pedogenised tidal flats clays/silt. Middle Holocene
Formation
Unconformity
Porbandar Chaya Porbandar Calcarenite Semiconsolidated to consolidated calcarenite with megafossils Late Pleistocene
Group Formation Member (pack to grainstone/rudstone) to Late Holocene
Aramda Reef Coral-algal reef, coral bafflestone and algal rudstone with
Member micro and mega fossils
Okha Shell Limestone Cross bedded pack to rudstone, bioturbated shell limestone
Member with mega fossils.
Unconformity
Miliolite Adatiana Member Pelletoid limestones (Calcarenites) Middle Pleistocene
Formation
Dhobaliya Talav Alternating sequence of pelletoid limestone and fine-grained
Member limestone (micrites)
Unconformity
Dwarka Kalyapur Limestone Recrystallised fossiliferous limestone and sandy Limestone Middle Miocene (?)
Formation* Member to Lower Pliocene
Shankhodar Sand-clay Sandy clays and sandstones
Member
Positra Limestone Bioclastic and coralline limestone with few dolo-micrtic bands
Member
Disconformity
Gaj Ranjitpur Limestone Yellow and brown fossiliferous limestone Middle Miocene
Formation Member
Ashapura Clay Variegated clays with gypsiferous bands
Member
Nonconformity
Deccan Trap Basalt and other derivatives covered at places by laterite and Upper Cretaceous
Formation bauxite to Eocene
*Bhatt (2000) classified the Dwarka Formation of Dwarka area into three members given in the above table. However, Mathur et al. (1988) concluded
that the Dwarka Formation of Porbandar area can not be classified into members and they assigned early to middle Miocene age to Dwarka Formation
of Porbandar area.

Bosence (1991) elucidated that water turbulence controls
the morphology of coralline algae and the coralline algae
growing in high-energy conditions have robust fused
framework with thick crusts, branches and columns, while
those growing in moderate energy conditions have delicate
framework with thin branches and crusts. The dasycladalean
algae generally occur at a depth of 5-6 m below low tide
level and can extend down to 12 m (Johnson, 1961; Wray,
1977). The halimedacean algae are generally abundant from
below low tide level to a depth of 10-12 m (Hillis-
Collinvaux, 1980; Kundal, 2010).
Dwarka-Okha Area
The Kalyanpur Limestone Member (early Pliocene) of
the Dwarka Formation has presence of 2 nongeniculate
and 8 geniculate coralline algal species (Kundal and
Dharashivkar, 2003a, b) (Table 2). Lithothamnion, dominant
presence of Amphiroa and delicate framework and thin
braches of all coralline algal species indicate that the
Kalyanpur Limestone Member was deposited at a depth of
25 to 60 m in a moderate energy conditions. However, these
coralline algae are associated with 5 ichnospecies and based
upon this association, Kundal and Dharashivkar (2006)
surmised that the Kalyanpur Limestone Member was
deposited in littoral to sandy shore with moderate energy
conditions.
The Okha Shell Limestone Member (middle to late
Pleistocene) of the Chaya Formation has presence of 8

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.83, FEB. 2014

186 P. KUNDAL AND OTEHRS

Table 2. Calcareous algae from early Pliocene to late Holocene of Dwarka-Okha area.
Formation
Chaya Formation (Late Pleistocene to Late Holocene)
Porbandar Calc-Arenite
Member
Aramda Reef Member
Okha Shell Limestone
Member
Dwarka Formation (Middle Miocene to Early Pliocene)
Kalyanpur Limestone
Member (early Pliocene)
Shankhodar Sand-Clay
Member (late Miocene)
Positra Limestone
Member (middle Miocene)
Gaj Formation (Middle Miocene)
Ranjitpur Limestone
Member
Ashapura Clay
Member
Authors
Kishore et al. 2012
Kundal and Dharashivkar, 2005
Kishore et al. 2012, 2012
Kundal and Dharashivkar, 2003b
Kishore et al. 2012
Kundal and Dharashivkar, 2003a, b
———————
———————
———————
———————
Algal Assemblage
Geniculate Coralline algae: Amphiroa ephedraea
(Lamarck) Decaisne and A. fragilissima (Linnaeus)
Lamouroux
Nongeniculate Coralline algae: Lithophyllum incrustans
Philippi, Lithophyllum nitorum Adey and Adey,
Lithophyllum quadratum Ishijima, Lithophyllum sp.,
Lithothamnion praefruticulosum Maslov, Lithothamnion sp.,
Lithoporella melobesioides (Foslie) Foslie, Lithoporella sp.,
Mesophyllum commune Lemoine, Mesophyllum fructiferum
Airoldi, Phymatolithon sp., Porolithon sp., Spongites sp.
Brandano et al. 2005, Sporolithon intermedium Raineri,
porolithon lvovicum (Maslov) Pisera, Sporolithon sp.,
Titanoderma nataliae (Maslov) Studencki, and Titanoderma
pustulatum (Lamouroux) Näegeli
Geniculate Coralline algae: Amphiroa anchiverricosa
Johnson and Ferris, A. ephedraea (Lamarck) Decaisne,
A. foliacea Lamouroux, A. fragilissima (Linnaeus)
Lamouroux and Amphiroa sp.
Nongeniculate coralline algae: Lithothamnion aucklandicum
Foslie, L. moreti Lemoine, L. nanosporum Johnson and Ferris ,
L. ponzonense Conti, L. roveretoi Airoldi, L. tectifons
Mastrorilli, Mesophyllum pacificum Johnson and
M. roveretoi Conti
Geniculate Coralline algae: Amphiroa anchiverricosa
Johnson and Ferris, A. ephedraea (Lamarck) Decaisne,
A. foliacea Lamouroux and A. fragilissima (Linnaeus)
Lamouroux
Nongeniculate coralline algae: Lithothamnion cardinellense
Fravega, Piazza and Vannucci and L. valens Foslie Geniculate
coralline algae: Amphiroa anchiverricosa Johnson and
Ferris, A. badvei Kundal and Dharashivkar, A. dwarkaensis
Kundal and Dharashivkar, A. foliacea Johnson and Ferris,
A. fragilissima Lamouroux, A. gadhechiensis Kundal and
Dharashivkar, A. krishnai Kundal and Dharashivkar and
A. pacifica Johnson and Ferris.
Not yet recorded
Not yet recorded
Not yet recorded
Not yet recorded

nongeniculate and four geniculate coralline algal species
(Kundal and Dharashivkar, 2003a, 2003b). Lithothamnion,
Mesophyllum, dominant presence of Amphiroa and delicate
framework and thin braches of all coralline algal species
indicate that the Okha Shell Limestone Member was
deposited at a depth of 25 to 60 m in a moderate energy
conditions. However, these coralline algae are associated
with 2 ichnospecies and based upon this association, Kundal
and Dharashivkar (2006) surmised that the Okha Shell
Limestone Member was deposited in littoral to sandy shore
with moderate energy conditions.
The Armada Reef Member (middle Pleistocene) of the
Chaya Formation has presence of 18 nongeniculate and 5
geniculate coralline algal species (Kundal and Dharashivkar,
2005; Kishore et al. 2012). Kundal and Dharashivkar (2005)
based on the presence of Lithohyllum and Porolithon

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.83, FEB. 2014

 NEOGENE-QUATERNARY CALCAREOUS ALGAE FROM SAURASHTRA BASIN, WESTERN INDIA 187

Table 3. Calcareous algae from middle Miocene to late Holocene of Porbandar area
Formation Authors Algal Assemblage
Chaya Formation (Late Pleistocene to Late Holocene)
Porbandar Calc-Arenite Kundal and Mude (2009a,b, 2010) Nongeniculate Coralline algae: Lithophyllum incrustans
Member Mude and Kundal (2012) Philippi, Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. 1, 2 and
Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti.
Geniculate Coralline algae: Amphiroa ephedraea Ishijima,
A. fortis Johnson, A. fragilissima Lamouroux, A. rigida
Lamouroux, Amphiroa sp. 2, Jania mengaudi Lemoine
and J. vetus Johnson
Miliolite Formation (Middle Pleistocene)
Adatiana Member Kundal and Mude (2009a,b, 2010) Nongeniculate Coralline algae: Melobesioideae gen.
Mude and Kundal (2012) et spec. indet., Sporolithon statiellense Airoldi,
Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie
Geniculate Coralline algae: Amphiroa ephedraea Ishijima,
Jania sripadaraoi Kundal and Humane,
Metagoniolithon sp. (?)
Dhobaliya Talav Member ——————— Not yet recorded
Dwarka Formation (early to middle Miocene)
——— Kundal and Mude (2009a,b, 2010) Nongeniculate Coralline algae: Lithophyllum dentatum
Mude and Kundal (2011, 2012) (Kutzing) Foslie, Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet.,
Mesophyllum curtum Lemoine, Sporolithon statiellense
Airoldi, Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie,
Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. 1, 2, and
Neogoniolithon sp.
Geniculate Coralline algae: Amphiroa anchiverricosa
Johnson and Ferris, A. ephedraea Ishijima, A. fragilissima
Lamouroux, A. rigida Lamouroux, A. prefragilissima
Lemoine, A. prerigida Ishijima, Amphiroa sp.1,
Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri, A. konitaensis Ishijima,
Calliarthron antiquum Johnson, Corallina grandis Rao,
Corallina hayasaki Ishijima, C. marshallensis Johnson,
C. prisca Johnson, C. typica Ishijima, Corallina sp.1,
Jania guamensis Johnson, Jania sp.1 and
Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott

Table 4. Calcareous algae from middle Pleistocene of Diu area

Formation Authors Algal Assemblage
Chaya Formation (late Pleistocene to late Holocene)
Porbandar Calc-Arenite Not yet recorded
Member

Miliolite Formation (middle Pleistocene)

Dhobaliya Talav Member
Adatiana Member
Kundal et al. (2011)
Kundal et al. (2011)
Geniculate Coralline algae: Amphiroa regularis
Johnson and Ferris
Dasycladacean algae: Dissocladella sp.
Nongeniculate Coralline algae: Lithophyllum sp.1, L. sp. 2,
Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie, Sporolithon sp.,
Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet 1 and 2.
Geniculate Coralline algae: Amphiroa anchivericossa
Johnson and Ferris, A. regularis Johnson and Ferris,
A. ishijimai Kundal and Dharashivkar, Corallina sp.,
Jania occidentalis Johnson and Kaska.
Halimedacean algae: Halimeda sp.

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.83, FEB. 2014

188 P. KUNDAL AND OTEHRS
dominant presence of Amphiroa and thick crusts and braches
of all coralline algal species indicated that the Armada Reef
Member was deposited at a depth of 0 to 20 m in a high
energy conditions. However, Kishore et al. (2012) have
divided the Armada Reef Member into two parts: lower and
upper based on the presence of association of Mesophyllum,
Lithothamnion and Sporolithon and their warty to layered
growth forms in the lower part concluded that the lower
part was deposited under warm, moderate to low-energy
photic environment, while based on presence of association
of Lithophyllum and Titanoderma and fruticose growth-
forms in the upper part surmised that upper part was
deposited under high-energy conditions.
The Porbandar Calcarenite Member of the Chaya
Formation has only 2 species of Amphiroa (Kishore et al.
2012). Presence of Amphiroa with thick braches indicates
that this member was deposited at a depth of 0 to 20 m in a
high energy conditions.
Porbandar Area
Kundal and Mude (2009a, 2009b, 2010) and Mude and
Kundal (2011, 2012) have documented 37 coralline algal
species (25 nongeniculate and 12 geniculate species) from
middle Miocene to late Holocene sediments of the Porbandar
area (Table 3).
The middle Miocene Dwarka Formation has presence
of 8 nongeniculate and 19 geniculate coralline algal species
(Kundal and Mude, 2009a, 2009b, 2010; Mude and Kundal,
2011, 2012). Lithophyllum, Neogoniolithon, Mesophyllum
and dominant presence of Amphiroa and robust framework
and thick braches of all coralline algal species indicate this
formation was deposited at a depth of 0 to 20 m in a high
energy conditions. The Adatiana Member of Miliolite
Formation has presence of 3 nongeniculate coralline algal
species and 3 geniculate coralline algal species (Kundal and
Mude, 2009a, 2009b , 2010; Mude and Kundal, 2012).
Kundal et al. (2011) concluded that this member was
deposited at a depth of 25 to 30 m below low tide level. The
Porbandar Calcarenite Member of the Chaya Formation has
presence of presence of 3 nongeniculate coralline algal
species and 7 geniculate coralline algal species (Kundal and
Mude, 2009a, 2009b, 2010; Mude and Kundal, 2012).
Presence of Amphiroa with thick braches indicates that
this member was deposited at a depth of 0 to 20 m in a high
energy conditions.
Diu Area
Kundal et al. (2011) have documented 13 calcareous
algal species (6 nongeniculate coralline algal species; 5
geniculate coralline algal species; 1 dasycladalean algal
species and 1 halimedacean algal species) from middle
Pleistocene sediments of the Diu area (Table 4).
The Adatiana Member of Miliolite Formation has
presence of 6 nongeniculate coralline algal species; 5
geniculate coralline algal species and 1 halimedacean algal
species and Kundal et al. (2011) concluded that this member
was deposited at a depth of 25 to 30 m below low tide
level. The Dhobaliya Talav Member of Miliolite Formation
has presence of 1 geniculate coralline algal species and 1
dasycladacean algal species and Kundal et al. (2011)
concluded that this member was deposited at a depth of 5 to
6 m below low tide level.
IMPLICATIONS OF CALCAREOUS ALGAE
IN HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION
Rai et al. (1998) based on the status of exploration of
the Indian petroliferous basins, grouped them under 4
categories, viz., (a) Category I Basins: proven petroliferous
basin with commercial production; (b) Category II Basins:
proven petroliferous basin awaiting commercial production;
(c) Category III Basins: geologically considered potential
prospective and (d) Category IV Basins: frontier basins
which are likely to be potentially prospective. Presently, the
Saurashtra basin is categorized in Category III Basin.
The Saurashtra basin is having sediment thickness of
6000m and covering an area of 2,40,000 km2 both onland
and offshore (DGH, 2009). Kundal and Kundal (2010)
pointed out that calcareous algae have multifarious
applications, (a) most of the hydrocarbon originate in shelf
environments and the calcareous algae are common in the
fossil record of ancient shelf environment and thereby they
are used as a potential tool for paleoenvironments,
paleobathymetry; (b) the calcareous algae are dominant
carbonate producers, limestones and dolomites are by far
the most important chemical reservoir rocks and in fact
they contain nearly half of the world’s hydrocarbon
reserves, the algal rich facies have provided porous and
permeable reservoirs rocks for hydrocarbon accumulation
of various ages from the Precambrian to the Cenozoic and
(c) the calcareous algae have been quantitatively significant
producers of reefs/ organic reefs (bioherms, biostromes) and
influential in sedimentological processes, such as the
construction of reef frameworks and in the trapping and
binding of fine grained sedimentary particles, which have
become increasingly important as reservoir rocks and
calcareous algae are the main biochemical agents in forming
limestones along with bacteria, foraminifera, corals,
brachiopods and mollusks in hydrocarbon exploration.
The authors are of the opinion that the sediments of
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.83, FEB. 2014
 NEOGENE-QUATERNARY CALCAREOUS ALGAE FROM SAURASHTRA BASIN, WESTERN INDIA
Saurashtra basin must have presence of hydrocarbons in the
three formations, viz., Dwarka (middle Miocene to early
Pliocene), Miliolite (middle Pleistocene) and Chaya (middle
to late Pleistocene) as these have all these attributes, namely,
rich presence of calcareous algae; the assemblage of
calcareous algae broadly points to shelf environment for
their deposition . Hence, there is an urgent need to drill more
exploratory wells in Saurashtra basin, to ascertain
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 JOURNAL GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF INDIA
Vol.88, July 2016, pp.39-46

Nongeniculate Coralline Algae from Early Middle Miocene

Offshore Sequence of Kachchh Basin, Western India:
Paleoenvironmental Significance

P. KUNDAL, MILIND P. KUNDAL* and S. K. HUMANE

PG Department of Geology, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur - 440 001, India
*Email: milind.kundal@gmail.com

Abstract: The present paper reports five nongeniculate coralline algal species, viz., Lithothamnion valens Foslie,
Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti, Phymatolithon calcareum (Pallas) Adey and Mckibbin, Melobesioideae gen. et spec.
indet. and Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie form the early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation of Offshore Sequence
of Kachchh basin, western India. The present day depth distribution of Lithothamnion and Mesophyllum and growth
forms of five nongeniculate coralline algal species points that the two cores belonging to the Chhasra Formation of
offshore sequence of Kachchh basin were deposited in inner shelf environment at 60-100m depth in moderate-energy
conditions.

Keywords: Nongeniculate coralline algae, Miocene, Paleoenvironment, Kachchh Basin, Western India.

INTRODUCTION lissaviensis (Bornemann) Dragastan, R. dianae (Dragastan

Corallines are defined as carbonate secreting and
strongly calcified red algae of the order Corallinales of
division Rhodophyta. Corallines are divided into two groups,
the nongeniculate and geniculate coralline forms. The
geniculate coralline forms have thallus consisting of rigid,
calcified segments termed as intergenicula alternating with
more flexible rarely calcified segments termed as genicula.
The nongeniculate forms do not have genicula (Woelkerling,
1988). Corallines have been important constituents of
shallow marine sedimentary sequences all over the world
from the early Cretaceous (Hauterivian) to the Pleistocene
(Kundal, 2011). Coralline algae are used as a potential tool
for paleoenvironments and paleobathymetry. Coralline algae
have multifarious applications in hydrocarbon exploration
such as a potential tool for reconstruction of paleo-
environment, as builder of carbonate reservoir rocks and
reefs (Johnson, 1961; Terry and Williams, 1969; Wray, 1977;
Kundal and Kundal, 2010, Kundal, 2014; Kundal et al.
2014).
The early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation of
onshore sequence of Kachchh basin, western India is rich
in calcareous algae as 28 species have been documented by
Kundal and Humane (2002, 2003, 2006, 2007a), Humane
and Kundal (2005, 2010) and Humane et al. (2006). These
28 species are: Cyanophycean algae (3 species): Rivularia
and Bucur) and Rivularia sp.; Nongeniculate Coralline algae
(4 species): Lithophyllum sp., Lithoporella melobesioides
(Foslie) Foslie, Lithothamnion cardinellense Fravega,
Piazza and Vannucci and Sporolithon affine Howe;
Geniculate Coralline algae (12 species): Amphiroa
anchiverricosa Johnson and Ferris, Arthrocardia cretacica
Raineri and Calliarthron antiquum Johnson, Corallina
elliptica Ishijima, C. hayasaki Ishijima, C. kachchhensis
Kundal and Humane, C. marshallensis Johnson, C. matansa
Johnson, C. prisca Johnson, C. raoi Chatterji and Gururaja,
C. typica Ishijima, Metagoniolithon sp.; Dasycladalean algae
(6 species) : Acroporella sp., Broeckella sp., Clypeina sp.,
Neomeris plagnensis Deloffre, N. ramwadaensis Kundal
and Humane and Orioporella sp.; Halimedacean algae (1
species): Halimeda cylindracea Decaisne and Udoteacean
algae (2 species) : Ovulites margaritula Lamarck and O.
pyriformis Schwager.
The early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation is found
both in the onshore sequence and offshore sequence of
Kachchh basin, western India. However, only 10 species
of Corallina, a geniculate coralline alga are known from
early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation of offshore
sequence of Kachchh basin (Kundal, 2015). The aim of the
present paper is to record five nongeniculate coralline
algal species, viz., Lithothamnion valens Foslie,

0016-7622/2016-88-1-39/$ 1.00 © GEOL. SOC. INDIA

40 P. KUNDAL AND OTHERS

Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti, Phymatolithon calcareum

(Pallas) Adey and Mckibbin, Melobesioideae gen. et spec.
indet. and Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie from the early
middle Miocene Chhasra Formation of offshore sequence
of Kachchh basin. The palaeoenvironmental significance
of these five species is provided in this paper.

GEOLOGY

The Kachchh basin, the westernmost pericratonic rift

basin, is situated at the northern end of the western seaboard
of India and this basin represents the earliest rift during the 
break up of Africa and India (Biswas, 1982) (Fig. 1). The Fig.2. Lithostratigraphy of Kachchh basin (after Biswas, 1992).
Kachchh basin in onshore and offshore is filled with
sediments ranging in age from the middle Jurassic to
Kandla Formation (middle Miocene to Recent) (Biswas,
Holocene. In the onland part, the Mesozoic sediments are
1992) (Fig. 2).
very thick than the Cenozoic sediments which are present
in the outer part of the basin bordering the Mesozoic uplifts
and the thickness of the exposed Cenozoic sequence is 700 MATERIAL AND METHODS
m while it is 5500 m offshore (Mishra, 2009). The Cenozoic
The Chhasra Formation is 116 m thick in the offshore
offshore sequence of Kachchh basin is sub-divided into
portion and comprises alternations of fossiliferous limestone
ten formations, namely, Nakhtarana Formation (late
bands and oolitic gypseous claystone/silty clay beds. This
Paleocene), Jakhau Formation (early Eocene), Fulra
formation has presence of biotic constituents such as
Limestone Formation (late middle Eocene), Sir Formation
foraminifers, bivalves, ostracods, ichnofossils, gastropods,
(middle to late Eocene), Tuna Formation (early Oligocene),
echinoids, bryozoa, corals and calcareous algae.
Narayan Sarovar Formation (early Miocene), Godhra
Lithothamnion valens Foslie and Phymatolithon
Formation (early Miocene), Mitti Nadi Formation (early
calcareum (Pallas) Adey and Mckibbin are discovered in
Miocene), Chhasra Formation (early middle Miocene) and
sample C1 and Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti and
Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie are discovered in sample


 Fig.3. Lithosections denoting samples having presence of
Fig.1. Location map of Kachchh basin showing location of wells. nongeniculate algae.

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.88, JULY 2016

 NONGENICULATE CORALLINE ALGAE FROM OFFSHORE SEQUENCE OF KACHCHH BASIN, GUJARAT
C2 from well GK-28-3 (22°30’N: 68°23’E) (Fig. 3B) (depth
738 to 740m). Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. and
Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie is found in two samples
C7, C8 from well GK-1-1 (22°50’N: 68°09’E) (Fig. 3A)
(depth 1009 to 1012m). Petrographically, the limestone of
well GK-28-3 is foram algal packstone and that of GK-1-1
is foram algal grainstone. The samples were collected from
Regional Geosciences Laboratory, Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation Ltd., Panvel, Navi Mumbai.
Nongeniculate coralline algae are described in this paper
are studied in thin sections under petrological microscope.
Thin sections are prepared as per routine method. Samples
of calcareous rocks are cut parallel and perpendicular to the
bedding plane. The thickness of thin section was kept more,
i.e. 50-60 microns more than the other thin sections for
mineralogical and petrological studies. The specimens
studied are kept in the Micropaleontology Laboratory of
the Postgraduate Department of Geology, RTM Nagpur
University, Nagpur.
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
The five nongeniculate coralline algal species are
identified on the basis of modern taxonomic approach of
fossil nongeniculate corallines using certain distinguishing
features such as arrangement of basal filaments, cell fusions,
conceptacle perforations and orientation of filaments around
conceptacles of living corallines (Woelkerling, 1988; Braga
et al., 1993; Woelkerling et al., 1993; Bassi, 1995, 1998;
Braga and Aguirre, 1995; Rasser and Piller, 1999; Braga,
2003; Le Gall and Saunders, 2007 and Kundal, 2010, 2011).
Classification:
Division : Rhodophyta Wittstein, 1901
Class : Florideophyceae Cronquist, 1960
Subclass : Corallinophycidae Le Gall And Saunders,
2007
Order : Corallinales Silva And Johansen, 1986
Family : Hapalidiaceae Gray, 1864
Subfamily : Melobesioideae (Areschoug) Bizzozero,
1885
Genus Lithothamnion Philipi, 1837
Lithothamnion valens Foslie
Pl. 1, fig. 1
Lithothamnion valens Foslie: Basso et al., 1997, p. 170-
176.
Lithothamnion valens Foslie: Basso et al., 2008, p. 335,
pl. 1, figs. 4-6.
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.88, JULY 2016
41
Lithothamnion valens Foslie: Kundal and Dharashivkar,
2003, 51-52, pl. 5, figs. 7, 8.
Description: Thallus monomerous branched and
fruticose. Core region noncoaxial and very thin having
thickness of about 50 µm. Cells of the core region 8-10 µm
in length and 4-6 µm in width. Peripheral region exhibits
growth zones and having large rectangular cells at places.
Cells of peripheral region 16-29 µm in length and 9-20 µm
in width. Some cells of contiguous filaments connected by
cell fusions but secondary pit connections absent.
Conceptacles multiporate. One of the conceptacles has
presence of tetrasporangia/ bisporangia. The conceptacles
having diameter 134-341 µm while height 72-172 µm.
Remarks: The growth form, peripheral region and
conceptacles in the present specimen closely resemble
Lithothamnion valens Foslie. Specimen Nos. PGTDG/MF/
FCA/676.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: Late
Eocene (Priabonian) to Recent (Basso et al., 1997); Pliocene
Kalyanpur Limestone Member, Dwarka Formation, Gujarat
(Kundal and Dharashivkar, 2003) and Miocene of the
Croatia (Basso et al., 2008).
Horizon and Locality: Chhasra Formation (early middle
Miocene) of well GK-28-3 from Offshore Sequence of
Kachchh Basin.
Genus: Mesophyllum Lemoine, 1928
Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti
Pl. 3, figs 1,3
Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti: Fravega et al., 1987, p.
52.
Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti: Fravega et al., 1993, p.
203.
Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti: Vannucci et al., 1994, p.
73, fig. C.
Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti: Kundal and Dharashivkar,
2003, p. 53-54, pl. 6, figs. 2,4-8.
Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti: Kundal and Humane,
2007b, p. 149, pl. 1, figs. 2, 5.
Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti: Basso et al., 2008, p. 335,
pl. 1, figs. 2-3.
Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti: Mude and Kundal, 2012,
p. 72, pl. 1, figs. d, f.
Description: Thallus monomerous encrusting having a
protuberance with coaxial core filament and peripheral
filament. Some cells of contiguous filaments connected by
cell fusions but secondary pit connections absent. The
 42 P. KUNDAL AND OTHERS
Plate 1 (1) Lithothamnion valens Foslie Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/
FCA/676: Monomerous branchedϭϱand fruticose thallus, core region
 (c) (arrow) noncoaxial thin with cell fusions and multiporate
conceptacle (arrows) from early middle Miocene Chhasra
Formation (Well GK-28-3; Sample No. C1). (2) Melobesioideae
gen. et spec. indet. Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/670: Monomerous
thallus exhibiting coaxial core region (arrow) and peripheral region
(arrow) with presence of cell fusions from early middle Miocene
Chhasra Formation (Well GK-1-1; Sample no. C7).
thickness of core region 294 µm and that of peripheral region
252 µm. The cells of core region 38-50 µm in length and 8-
12 µm in width. The peripheral cells poorly preserved.
Conceptacles multiporate having diameter 84-147 µm and
height 50-55 µm.
Remarks: The size and shape of cells in core region and
conceptacles of present specimen are similar to
Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti and therefore the present
specimen is described as Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti.
Specimen No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/693.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution:
Oligocene of Sessello basin, Tertiary Piedmont basin
(Fravega et al., 1987), Miocene of Tertiary Piedmont basin,
NW Italy (Fravega et al., 1993), Miocene rodoliths of SW
sector of Tertiary Piedmont basin (Vannucci et al., 1994),
Chaya Formation (late Pleistocene to late Holocene) of
Dwarka-Okha area, Gujarat (Kundal and Dharashivkar,
2003), Maniyara Fort Formation (Oligocene) of Kachchh
onshore sequence (Kundal and Humane, 2007b), Miocene
bioclastic limestone, northern Croatia (Basso et al., 2008),
Chaya Formation (late Pleistocene to late Holocene),
Porbandar area, Gujarat (Mude and Kundal, 2012). Fravega
et al. (1987) opined that Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti
stratigraphically ranges from late Eocene to Miocene.
Horizon and Locality: Chhasra Formation (early middle
Miocene) of well GK-28-3 from offshore sequence of
Kachchh basin.
Genus: Phymatolithon Foslie, 1898
Phymatolithon calcareum (Pallas) Adey and Mckibbin
Pl. 2, fig. 1
Phymatolithon calcareum (Pallas) Adey and Mckibbin,
1970, p. 100-106.
Phymatolithon calcareum (Pallas) Adey and Mckibbin:
Vannucci et al., 1997, p. 417-419, pl. 1.
Phymatolithon calcareum (Pallas) Adey and Mckibbin:
Basso et al., 1997, p. 168-170, pl. 36.
Phymatolithon calcareum (Pallas) Adey and Mckibbin:
Basso et al., 2008, p. 335, pl. 1, figs. 1.
Description: Thallus monomerous encrusting having a
protuberance with noncoaxial core filaments and peripheral
filaments. Peripheral region shows growth zones. The
thickness of the core region 280-311 µm and that of
peripheral region 180-212 µm. The cells of core filaments
19-27 µm in length and 11-19 µm in width while the cells
of peripheral filaments 11-19 µm in length and 7-11 µm in
width. A single row of epithallial cells having 7-11 µm in
length and 11 µm in width preserved. Some cells of
contiguous filaments connected by cell fusions but secondary
pit connections absent. Conceptacle multiporate and oblate
in shape having 152-167 µm diameter and 95 µm height.
Cell tissue well preserved over the conceptacle.
Remarks: The present specimen is attributed to
Phymatolithon calcareum (Pallas) Adey and Mckibbin on
the basis of the correspondence of all anatomical features.
Rasser and Piller (1999 and 2000) worked on Phymatolithon
in an elaborated manner. Specimen No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/
695.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: Late
Miocene of northwestern Italy (Vannucci et al., 1997); Early
Eocene of the central Alpine Gosau basin of Krappfeld,
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.88, JULY 2016
 NONGENICULATE CORALLINE ALGAE FROM OFFSHORE SEQUENCE OF KACHCHH BASIN, GUJARAT
Plate 2. (1) Phymatolithon calcareum (Pallas) Adey and Mckibbin
Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/695:ϭϲEncrusting monomerous thallus

with protuberance consisting of noncoaxial core, core filaments
(arrow), peripheral filaments (p), cell fusions and presence of
epithallial cells (e) (arrow) and multiporate conceptacle (arrow)
from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation (Well GK-28-3;
Sample no. C1). (2) Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie Sp.No.
PGTDG/MF/FCA/673: Encrusting dimerous thallus, palisade cells
form primigenous filaments while postigenous filaments arising
from it from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation (Well GK-
28-3; Sample no. C2). (3) 3 Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie
Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/FCA/675: Encrusting dimerous thallus,
palisade cells form primigenous filaments while postigenous
filaments arising from it from early middle Miocene Chhasra
Formation (Well GK-1-1;Sample no. C8).
Austria (Rasser, 1994); late Eocene of the Alpine Foreland
basin in upper Austria (Rasser and Piller, 2000) and
Miocene, northern Croatia (Basso et al., 2008),. Basso et
al. (1997) indicated that Phymatolithon calcareum (Pallas)
Adey and Mckibbin is stratigraphically distributed from the
Oligocene to Recent while Rasser and Piller (1999 and 2000)
opined that these species has early Eocene to Recent age.
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.88, JULY 2016
43
Horizon and Locality: Chhasra Formation (early middle
Miocene) of well GK-28-3 from Offshore Sequence of
Kachchh Basin.
Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet.
Pl. 1, fig. 2; Pl. 3, fig. 2
Description: Thallus monomerous starts with basal crust
from which long and slender repeatedly branches developed.
Thallus commences with basal crust from which
subcylindrical solitary branch arises. The encrusting portion
exhibits coaxial core region. The cells of core region 60-83
µm in length and 90-125 µm in width. The branching portion
of thallus shows peripheral filaments. The peripheral cells
83 µm in width and 83 µm in length. Cell fusions present
and secondary pit connections absent. Conceptacle absent.
Remarks: Present specimens have monomerous thalli but
conceptacle are absent. However, these characteristics of
present specimens indicate their affinity with Melobesiods.
Hence, the present specimens are identified as
Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. Specimen No. PGTDG/
MF/FCA/670,703.
Horizon and Locality: Chhasra Formation (early middle
Miocene) of well GK-1-1 from offshore sequence of
Kachchh basin.
Subfamily : Mastophoroideae Setchell, 1943
Genus: Lithoporella Foslie, 1909
Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie
Pl. 2, figs. 2, 3; Pl. 3, fig. 4
Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie: Bassi, 1995, p. 90,
pl. 1, fig. 8
Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie: Bassi and Nebelsick,
2000, p. 104, pl. 2, fig. 1.
Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie: Kishore et al., 2007,
p. 619, pl. 1, fig. 4.
Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie: Singh et al., 2009,
p. 26, pl. 3, fig. 6.
Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie: Humane and Kundal,
2010, p. 33, pl. 1, figs. 2, 4.
Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie: Kundal et al., 2011,
p. 190, pl. 4, figs. 1, 5.
Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie: Kishore et al., 2012,
p. 222, pl. 3, fig. 3.
Description: Thalli dimerous encrusting and single to
double layered. Primigenous filaments collectively forming
a unistratose layer and composed of palisade cells.
 44 P. KUNDAL AND OTHERS
Plate 3. (1) Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti Sp. No. PGTDG/MF/
FCA/693: Monomerous encrusting protuberated thallus consists
of coaxial core filament and peripheral filament with cell fusions
from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation (Well GK-28-3;
Sample no. C2). (2) Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. Sp. No.
PGTDG/MF/FCA/703: Monomerous thallus exhibiting coaxial
core region with presence of cell fusions and peripheral region
from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation (Well GK-1-1;
Sample no. C8). (3) Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti Sp. No. PGTDG/
MF/FCA/693: A portion showing mutiporate conceptacles (arrows)
from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation (Well GK-28-3;
Sample no. C2). (4) Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie Sp. No.
PGTDG/MF/FCA/674: Encrusting dimerous thallus, palisade cells
form primigenous filaments while postigenous filaments arising
ϭϳ
 from it from early middle Miocene Chhasra Formation (Well GK-
28-3; Sample no. C2).
Postigenous filaments arising from primigenous filaments,
mostly preserved around conceptacle. The palisade cells of
primigenous filaments 44-64 µm in length and 15-30 µm in
width. The cells of postigenous filaments 60-76 µm in length
and 19-26 µm in width. Conceptacle uniporate having
diameter 342-420 µm and height upto 304 µm.
Remarks: Bassi (1995) concluded that the cells in
filaments are bigger in Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie
and smaller in Lithoporella minus Johnson. The present
specimens have bigger cells, therefore the present specimens
are described as Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie.
Specimen Nos. PGTDG/MF/FCA/673-675.
Stratigraphical and Geographical distribution: Early
Eocene-Miocene of Colli Berici of northern Italy (Bassi,
1995) and early Oligocene of Gornji Grad Beds, northern
Slovenia (Bassi and Nebelsick, 2000); Prang Formation
(middle Eocene), Meghalaya, India (Kishore et al., 2007);
Maniyara Fort Formation (Oligocene) of Kachchh onshore
sequence, Gujarat (Singh et al., 2009); Maniyara Fort
Formation (Oligocene); Chhasra Formation (early middle
Miocene) of Kachchh onshore sequence, Gujarat (Humane
and Kundal, 2010); Miliolite Formation (middle Pleistocene)
Diu, Saurashtra, India (Kundal et al., 2011) and Armada
Reef Member, Chaya Formation (late Pleistocene) (Kishore
et al., 2012).
Horizon and Locality: Chhasra Formation (early middle
Miocene) of well GK-28-3 and GK-1-1 from Offshore
Sequence of Kachchh Basin.
PALEOENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE
The environment of deposition of 118 m thick early
middle Miocene Chassra Formation is marginal marine to
shallow inner shelf and the age of this formation is early
middle Miocene (Zutshi et al., 1993; Zutshi and Panwar,
1997; Pande and Dave, 1998 and Mishra, 2009). Adey and
Macintyre (1973) concluded that the corallines are
exclusively marine and distributed from tropical to polar
regions. Wray (1977) stated that lithophylloids (Litho-
phyllum) are common in warm temperate environment and
Lithoporella strictly occurs in the tropical regions. Adey
(1979) gave the following generic associations of
nongeniculate coralline algae for palaeobathymetry.
Depth Coralline algal assemblage
Intertidal 20m Neogoniolithon, Porolithon, Lithophyllum
and Hydrolithon
20 – 40m Neogoniolithon, Lithophyllum,
Hydrolithon, Titanoderma and
Mesophyllum
40 – 60m Mesophyllum, dominant with Sporolithon,
Lithothamnion and Lithophyllum
60 – 100m Mesophyllum and Lithothamnion
(possibly 200m) with Sporolithon and Lithophyllum
Bosence (1991) and Kundal (2010) elucidated that water
turbulence controls the morphology of coralline algae. The
coralline algae growing in high-energy conditions have
robust fused framework with thick crusts, branches and
columns; while those growing in moderate-energy conditions
have delicate framework with thin branches and crusts.
The five nongeniculate coralline algae are documented
from 3 m and 2 m cores belonging to the Chhasra Formation,
therefore, palaeoenvironment of rocks represented by two
cores can be deduced. The Chhasra Formation (early middle
Miocene) has presence of five species, namely
Lithothamnion valens Foslie, Mesophyllum roveretoi Conti,
Phymatolithon calcareum (Pallas) Adey and Mckibbin,
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.88, JULY 2016
 NONGENICULATE CORALLINE ALGAE FROM OFFSHORE SEQUENCE OF KACHCHH BASIN, GUJARAT
Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. and Lithoporella
melobesioides Foslie. More numbers of fragments of
Mesophyllum and Lithothamnion were noticed, however
only well preserved fragments are illustrated. The
nongeniculate coralline algal assemblage recorded from
the Chhasra Formation of offshore sequence of Kachchh
Basin has presence of Mesophyllum and Lithothamnion
and absence of Sporolithon. Hence presence of
Mesophyllum and Lithothamnion is indicative of depth
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Rhodophyta). Australian Systamatic Botany, v.6, pp.277-293.
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Paleontology and Stratigraphy. Elsevier Scientific Publishing
Corporation. v.4, pp.1-185.
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Basins of India. KDMIPE, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
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JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.88, JULY 2016
 Gondwana Geological Magazine
GGM
Special Volume No.12, 2010, pp.251-259 www.ggsnagpur.org

Calcareous Algae from Middle Eocene to Early Miocene Onshore

Sequence of Kachchh Basin, Western India: Paleoenvironmental Significance
and Hydrocarbon Perspective
P. Kundal1* and M. P. Kundal2
1Post Graduate Department of Geology, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur-440 001
2National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur-440020
*Email: ppk_kundal@rediffmail.com

Abstract

The Cenozoic onshore sequence of Kachchh basin is subdivided into eight formations, namely, Matanomadh Formation (Paleocene),
Naredi Formation (Paleocene), Harudi Formation (middle Eocene), Fulra Limestone Formation (middle Eocene), Maniyara Fort Formation
(Oligocene), Khari Nadi Formation (early Miocene), Chhasra Formation (early Miocene) and Sandhan Formation (Pliocene). Out of these,
calcareous algae are present in abundance in the four formations i.e. Fulra Limestone (35 species), Maniyara Fort (72 species), Khari Nadi (10
species) and Chhasra (28 species). The present paper enlists calcareous algae so far documented by various researchers and their implications
for paleoenvironment and petroleum prospects from the Cenozoic onshore sequence of Kachchh basin. The assemblage of calcareous algae
points that the Fulra Limestone Formation was deposited in mid-ramp environment (40-80 m) under low energy conditions; the limestone of the
Maniyara Fort Formation was deposited in a reefal environment (10-25 m) under moderate to high energy conditions; the limestone belonging
to Khar Nadi Formation was deposited in clear water shelf depositional environment (depth 40-60 m) under low energy conditions and the
limestone of the Chhasra Formation was deposited in a in shallow marine waters environment (10-25 m) under moderate to high energy
conditions. The calcareous algae have multifarious applications in hydrocarbon exploration, such as a potential tool for reconstruction of
paleoenvironment, as builder of carbonate reservoir rocks and reefs. The Cenozoic onshore sequence of Kachchh exhibits all these attributes,
namely, rich presence of calcareous algae; calcareous algae are the dominant constituents of carbonate rocks and hence calcareous algae act as
builder of these carbonate rocks, the assemblage of calcareous algae broadly points the shelf environment for the deposition of Cenozoic
sequence and there is an unequivocal presence of reefal build-ups during the deposition of limestone belonging to the Maniyara Fort Formation
(Oligocene). Hence, there is an urgent need to drill more exploratory wells both in onshore and offshore Kachchh Basins, to ascertain
commercial production of hydrocarbons and to lift the Kachchh Basin from its present Category II to Category I.

Keywords: Calcareous Algae, Eocene-Miocene, Paleoenvironment, Petroleum prospects, Kachchh onshore Basin, Western India

Introduction into eight formations, namely, Matanomadh Formation

The Kachchh Basin is the westernmost pericratonic rift
basin situated at the northern end of the western seaboard of
India and this basin represents the earliest rift during the break
up of Africa and India (Biswas, 1982). The Kachchh Basin in
onland and offshore is filled with sediments ranging in age
from the Middle Jurassic to Holocene. In the onland part, the
Mesozoic sediments are very thick than the Cenozoic
sediments which are present in the outer part of the basin
bordering the Mesozoic uplifts and the thickness of exposed
Cenozoic sequence is 700 m while it is 5500 m offshore
(Mishra, 2009).
Wynne (1872) proposed the first classification of
Cenozoic sediments of Kachchh. Biswas (1992) gave the
detailed classification of these sediments and subdivided them
(Paleocene), Naredi Formation (Late Paleocene to early
Eocene), Harudi Formation (middle Eocene), Fulra Limestone
Formation (middle Eocene), Maniyara Fort Formation
(Oligocene), Khari Nadi Formation (early Miocene), Chhasra
Formation (early Miocene) and Sandhan Formation (Pliocene)
(Fig. 1). The Cenozoic onshore sequence is highly
fossiliferous containing diversified group of megafossils,
microfossils and ichnofossils. Algae in which CaCO3 is
deposited by life processes and this CaCO3 gives a skeleton
for the entire plant or part of plant are known as Calcareous
Algae (CA). The CA are diverse and common in shallow
marine and freshwater environments throughout the
Phanerozoic. Out of these aforementioned eight formations,
the four formations, namely Fulra Limestone, Maniyara Fort,
Khari Nadi and Chhasra have rich presence of CA (Pal and
252 P. Kundal and M. P. Kundal

Fig. 1: Geological map of western part of Kachchh (after Biswas, 1992)

Ghosh, 1974; Tandon et al., 1978; Kar, 1979; Misra et al.,
2001, 2006; Singh and Kishore, 2001; Singh et al., 2002,
2009; Ghosh, 2002; Kundal and Humane, 2002, 2003, 2005,
2006, 2007a, 2007b; Humane and Kundal, 2005, 2006a,
2006b, 2010; Humane et al., 2006; 2009, 2010) and gross
characteristics of these CA containing four formations are
given here.
The Fulra Limestone Formation (middle Eocene) is
named after its type section near Fulra village in western
Kachchh. The entire formation is made up of massive to
thickly bedded, white and buff coloured foraminiferal
limestone. The maximum thickness of this formation is about
60 m. This formation is rich in larger foraminifera, CA,
echinoids, oysters, bivalves, turritellids, corals, crabs, whales,
sea cow, fish, nannoplankton (Biswas, 1992; Jauhri, 1994;
Saraswati et al., 2000). The foraminiferal assemblage and
lithology are indicative of a low energy, clear waters probably
under middle-shelf environment for this fromation. The faunal
assemblage indicates middle Eocene age for this formation.
The Maniyara Fort Formation (Oligocene) is named
after its type section Maniyara Fort, an ancient fort. This
formation is made up of limestone, siltstone, claystone, marlite
and glauconitic argillaceous sandstone. The maximum
thickness of this formation is about 35 m. This formation
consists of varieties of fossils such as foraminifera including
larger, CA, echinoids, bivalves, gastropods, corals, bryozoa,
crabs, vertebrate fossils and vertical burrows (Samanta, 1989;
Biswas, 1992; Guha and Gopikrishna, 2003). The formation
was deposited in marginal marine, littoral to shallow inner-
shelf environment. The marine transgressive, environment
 Calcareous Algae from Middle Eocene to Early Miocene onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin
shifted from lagoonal to high energy open shelf environment
when coral bioherms were formed. The faunal assemblage
indicates an Oligocene age for this formation.
The Khari Nadi Formation (early Miocene) is named
after Khari Nadi and the type section is exposed along cliffs
and bank of Khari Nadi. This formation is made up of
variegated siltstone, claystone, sandstone, marl and limestone.
The maximum thickness of this formation is about 65 m. This
formation consists of varieties of fossils such as larger
foraminifera, CA, echinoids, bivalves, turritellids and plant
fossils (Biswas, 1992). This formation was deposited in tidal
flat, littoral to shallow inner-shelf, in a slowly transgressive
sea over a stable shelf. The age for this formation is early
Miocene.
The Chhasra Formation (early Miocene) is named after
Chhasra village. This formation is made up of claystone,
siltstone, fossiliferous limestone. The maximum thickness of
this formation is 115 m. The formation is richly fossiliferous,
having presence of gastropods, lamellibranches, echinoids,
foraminifers, CA, ostracodes, bryozoa, corals and
ichnofossils. The formation was deposited in sublittoral
environment during the highest stand of the sea. The age of this
formation is early Miocene.
Calcareous Algae (CA) from Cenozoic Onshore
Sequences
A perusal of work done on CA from the Cenozoic
sediments of Kachchh brings out the fact that only 9 coralline
algae have been documented (Pal and Ghosh, 1974; Tandon et
al., 1978 and Kar, 1979) till 1979. However, the first decade of
21st century witnessed a deluge of 18 publications (Misra et
al., 2001, 2006; Singh and Kishore, 2001; Ghosh, 2002;
Kundal and Humane, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006a, 2006b, 2007a,
2007b; Humane and Kundal, 2005, 2006, 2010; Humane et al.,
2006; Singh et al., 2002, 2009, 2010) that has culminated the
number of documented CA from 9 to 145 (Table 1).
Fulra Limestone Formation
Various workers like Kar (1979), Singh and Kishore
(2001), Kundal and Humane (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006a,
2007a), Humane and Kundal (2005, 2006, 2010), Misra et al.
(2006) and Singh et al. (2010) have documented CA from the
Fulra Limestone Formation and the total number of species of
CA from this formation till this date is 35 (Table 2).
Maniyara Fort Formation
The Maniyara Fort Formation is the richest amongst all
the four formations as regards the number of species of CA as
so far many workers such as Tandon et al. (1978), Singh and
Kishore (2001), Misra et al. (2001), Ghosh (2002), Kundal
and Humane (2002, 2003, 2006a, 2007a, 2007b), Humane
253
and Kundal (2005, 2010) and Singh et al. (2002, 2009)
recorded 72 species of CA so far now from this formation
(Table 3).
Khari Nadi Formation
Pal and Ghosh (1974), Kundal and Humane (2002,
2006a) and Humane and Kundal (2010) have worked on CA
from the Khari Nadi Formation and so far this formation has
presence of only 10 species of CA (Table 4).
Chhasra Formation
Various workers, viz., Kundal and Humane (2002, 2003,
2006b, 2007b), Humane et al. (2006) and Humane and
Kundal (2010) have documented CA from the Chhasra
Formation and so far the total number of species of CA from
this formation is 28 (Table 5).
Implications of CA in Reconstruction of Paleoenvironment
Living blue-green algae inhabit a wide range of non-
marine, brackish and marine environments. Adey and
Macintyre (1973) concluded that the corallines are exclusively
marine and distributed from tropical to polar regions. Wray
(1977) stated that lithophylloids (Lithophyllum) are common
in warm temperate environment and Lithoporella strictly
occurs in the tropical regions and all geniculate forms occur in
tropical and subtropical waters. Littler et al. (1986) concluded
that corallines occupy a large depth range from 0 to 270 m.
Adey (1979) gave the following generic associations of
coralline algae for palaeobathymetry.
Depth Coralline algal assemblage
Intertidal - 20m Neogoniolithon, Porolithon, Lithophyllum and
Hydrolithon
20 - 40m Neogoniolithon, Lithophyllum, Hydrolithon,
Titanoderma and Mesophyllum
40 - 60m Mesophyllum, dominant with Sporolithon,
Lithothamnion and Lithophyllum
60 - 100m Mesophyllum and Lithothamnion with
(Possibly 200m) Sporolithon and Lithophyllum
Bosence (1991) elucidated that water turbulence
controls the morphology of coralline algae and the coralline
algae growing in high-energy conditions have robust fused
framework with thick crusts, branches and columns, while
those growing in moderate energy conditions have delicate
framework with thin branches and crusts. Johnson (1961)
considered that the living dasycladales commonly occur at
depths of 10-12 m below low tide level in marine conditions
and Valet (1979) pointed that, in rare occasions, dasycladales
can occur at depth of 25 m. Hillis-Colinvaux (1980) mentioned
that the halimedaceaes and udoteceaes are tropical and
subtropical in distribution and generally abundant from the
254 P. Kundal and M. P. Kundal

Table 1: Calcareous Algae from middle Eocene to early Miocene onshore sequence of Kachchh basin, Western India (composite table prepared from
Tables 2 to 5).

Name of the Formation Algal assemblage

Sandhan Formation Absent

Chhasra Formation
Khari Nadi Formation
Maniyara Fort Formation
Fulra Limestone Formation
Harudi Formation
Naredi Formation
Matanomadh Formation
Cyanophycean algae: Rivularia lissaviensis (Bornemann) Dragastan, R. dianae (Dragastan and Bucur) and
Rivularia sp. Coralline algae: Amphiroa anchiverricosa Johnson and Ferris, Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri and
Calliarthron antiquum Johnson, Corallina elliptica Ishijima, C. hayasaki Ishijima, C. kachchhensis Kundal and
Humane, C. marshallensis Johnson, C. matansa Johnson, C. prisca Johnson, C. raoi Chatterji and Gururaja, C.
typica Ishijima, Lithophyllum sp., Lithoporella melobesioides (Foslie) Foslie, Lithothamnion cardinellense
Fravega, Piazza and Vannucci, Metagoniolithon sp., and Sporolithon affine Howe
Dasyclads: Acroporella sp., Broeckella sp., Clypeina sp., Neomeris plagnensis Deloffre, N. ramwadaensis Kundal
and Humane and Orioporella sp.
Halimedacean alga: Halimeda cylindracea Decaisne
Udoteacean algae: Ovulites margaritula Lamarck and O. pyriformis Schwager
Coralline algae: Aethesolithon cutchensis Pal and Ghosh, A. problematicum Johnson, Amphiroa anchiverricosa
Johnson and Ferris, Archaeporolithon miocenicum Pal and Ghosh, Calliarthron antiquum Johnson, Jania badvei
Kundal and Humane, Lithophyllum aff. L. kladosum Johnson, Lithothamnion florea-brassica (Millet) Lemoine,
Mesophyllum commune Lemoine and Sporolithon eniwetokensis Johnson
Coralline algae: Amphiroa anchiverricosa Johnson and Ferris, Amphiroa sp., Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri, A. indica
Kundal and Humane, A. konitaensis Ishijima, Arthrocardia sp.1, Corallina delicatula Johnson and Ferris, C. elliptica
Ishijima, C. grandis Rao, C. kachchhensis Kundal and Humane, C. marshallensis Johnson, C. matansa Johnson, C.
otsukiensis Ishijima, Corallina sp.1, Corallina sp. 2, Jania badvei Kundal and Humane, J. guamensis Johnson, J.
indica Kundal and Wanjarwadkar, J. mayei Johnson, J. sripadaraoi Kundal and Humane, J. vetus Johnson,
Lithophyllum bermotiensis Tandon, Gupta and Saxena, Lithophyllum sp. A, Lithophyllum sp. B, Lithophyllum sp. C,
Lithoporella melobesioides (Foslie) Foslie, L. minus Johnson, Lithoporella sp., Lithothamnion cardinellense Fravega,
Piazza and Vannucci, L. giammarinoi Fravega, Piazza and Vannucci, Lithothamnion iorii Maslov, L. manni Johnson
and Stewart, L. nanosporum Johnson and Ferris, L. tectifons Mastrorilli, L. florea-brassica (Millet) Lemoine,
Lithothamnion sp.1, Lithothamnion sp. 2, Lithothamnion sp.3, Lithothamnion sp., Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet.
1, Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. 2, Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. 3, Mesophyllum commune Lemoine, M.
curtum Aguirre and Braga, M. koritzae Lemoine, M. roveretoi Contii, Mesophyllum sp. A, Mesophyllum sp. B,
Mesophyllum sp.1, Mesophyllum sp.2, Mesophyllum sp., Neogoniolithon sp. 1 Bassi and Nebelsick, Neogoniolithon sp.
2 Hassan and Ghosh, Neogoniolithon sp. 2 Neogoniolithon sp., Spongites sp., Sporolithon brevium (Lemoine) Aguirre
and Braga, Sporolithon taiwanensis Ishijima, Sporolithon sp. 1 Bassi and Nebelsick and Sporolithon sp.
Dasyclads: Acicularia sp., Goniolina sp., Cymopolia sp., Neomeris sp. and Salpingoporella sp. Halimedacean algae:
Halimeda fragilis Taylor, H. incrassata (Ellis) Lamouroux, H. opuntia (Linneaus) Lamouroux, H. tuna (Ellis and
Solander) Lamouroux and Halimeda sp. Udoteacean algae: Ovulites margaritula Lamarck and O. pyriformis Schwager
Coralline algae: Arthrocardia indica Kundal and Humane, Arthrocardia sp., Calliarthron antiquum Johnson, Corallina
crossmanni Lemoine, C. marshallensis Johnson, Jania guamensis Johnson, J. mayei Johnson, J. sripadaraoi Kundal
and Humane, J. vetus Johnson, Lithophyllum sp. Lithoporella melobesioides (Foslie) Foslie, Lithoporella minus
Johnson, Lithothamnion sp. cf. L. bofilli Lemoine, Lithothamnion ishigakiensis Johnson, Lithothamnion roveretoi
Airoldi, Lithothamnion sp. cf. L. validum Foslie, Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. 1, Melobesioideae gen. et spec.
indet. 2, Mesophyllum contii Ishijima, Mesophyllum sp., Neogoniolithon sp. 1, Phymatolithon sp., Spongites sp.,
Sporolithon keenani Johnson, Sporolithon sp. 1 and Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott
Dasyclads: Cymopolia sp., Dissocladella longijangensis Mu and Wang and Morelletpora sp.
Halimedacean algae: Halimeda cylindracea Decaisne and H. opuntia (Linneaus) Lamouroux
Udoteacean algae: Ovulites arabica (Pfender) Massieux, O. elongata Lamarck, O. margaritula Lamarck and
O. pyriformis Schwager
Absent
Absent
Absent

depth below low tide level down to a depth of 10-12 m and
occasionally Halimeda can extend down to 150 m. Kundal
(2010a) summarized the paleoenvironmental significance of
CA giving Indian explicit examples.
Kundal (2010b) mentioned that the earliest confirmed
fossil record of coralline algae is from Hauterivian (Early
Cretaceous) and from Hauterivian to Pleistocene 9
nongeniculate coralline genera, namely Distichoplax,
Lithophyllum, Lithoporella, Lithothamnion, Mesophyllum,
Neogoniolithon, Phymatolithon, Spongites and Sporolithon
and 7 geniculate genera, viz. Amphiroa, Arthrocardia,
Calliarthron, Corallina and Jania, Metagoniolithon and
Subterraniphyllum having different stratigraphic ranges are
unequivocally known as fossils and Kundal (2010b) did not
consider the 57 doubtful coralline genera enlisted by
Woelkerling (1988, table 4.1) as these genera require further
information and Woelkerling (op. cit.) kept these genera as
genera inquirendae. While using CA for reconstruction of
paleoenvironment, only genera are taken into consideration
and the generic distribution of various genera in the four
 Calcareous Algae from Middle Eocene to Early Miocene onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin 255

Table 2 : Calcareous Algae from the Fulra Limestone Formation (middle Eocene) of onshore sequence of Kachchh basin, Western India

Authors Algal Assemblage

Kar (1979) Coralline algae: Lithophyllum sp., Lithothamnion sp. cf. L. bofilli Lemoine and Lithothamnion sp. cf. L. validum
Foslie
Singh and Kishore (2001) Dasyclad: Cymopolia sp.
Kundal and Humane (2002) Coralline algae: Arthrocardia indica Kundal and Humane and Calliarthron antiquum Johnson
Kundal and Humane (2003) Coralline alga: Corallina marshallensis Johnson
Kundal and Humane (2005) Coralline alga: Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott
Humane and Kundal (2005) Halimedacean algae: Halimeda cylindracea Decaisne and H. opuntia (Linneaus) Lamouroux
Udoteacean algae: Ovulites arabica (Pfender) Massieux, O. elongata Lamarck, O. margaritula Lamarck and
O. pyriformis Schwager
Humane and Kundal (2006) Dasyclad: Morelletpora sp.
Misra, Jauhri, Singh Coralline algae: Mesophyllum sp., Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. 1, Phymatolithon sp. and Sporolithon sp. 1
and Kishore (2006)
Kundal and Humane (2006a) Coralline algae: Jania guamensis Johnson, J. mayei Johnson, J. sripadaraoi Kundal and Humane and J. vetus
Johnson
Kundal and Humane (2007a) Coralline alga: Mesophyllum contii Ishijima
Singh, Kishore, Coralline algae: Arthrocardia sp., Corallina crossmanni Lemoine, Lithoporella melobesioides (Foslie)
Misra, Jauhri and Foslie, Lithothamnion ishigakiensis Johnson, Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. 1,
Gupta (2010) Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. 2 and Sporolithon keenani Johnson
Dasyclad: Dissocladella longijangensis Mu and Wang
Humane and Kundal (2010) Coralline algae: Lithoporella minus Johnson, Lithothamnion roveretoi Airoldi, Neogoniolithon sp. 1 and
Spongites sp.

formations, viz., Fulra Limestone, Maniyara Fort, Khari Nadi
and Chhasra is given in Table 6.
As mentioned earlier, the foraminiferal assemblage and
lithology are indicative of a low energy, clear waters probably
under middle-shelf environment for the deposition of Fulra
Limestone Formation. The generic assemblage of CA is
represented by 12 coralline genera, 3 dasyclads and 1 taxon
apiece of halimedaceans and udoteaceans (Table 6). Kundal
and Humane (2006a) stated that the Fulra Limestone
Formation was deposited in clear water shelf environment
under low energy conditions. Singh et al. (2010) indicated that
the Fulra Limestone Formation was deposited in mid-ramp
environment (40-80 m). Hence, it is concluded here that the
Fulra Limestone Formation was deposited in mid-ramp
environment (40-80 m) under low energy conditions.
As cited earlier, the Maniyara Fort Formation consisting
of limestone, siltstone, claystone, marlite and glauconitic
argillaceous sandstone was deposited in marginal marine,
littoral to shallow inner-shelf environment and the marine
transgressive, environment shifted from lagoonal to high
energy open shelf environment when coral bioherms were
formed. The assemblage of CA from this formation is
represented by 11 coralline genera, 5 dasyclads and 1 taxon
each of halimedacean and udoteacean (Table 6). Based on
dasyclads, Kundal and Humane (2007b) deduced that the
limestone of the Maniyara Fort Formation was deposited in
shallow marine waters at a depth of 10-12 m. Valet (op.cit.)
pointed that, in rare occasions, dasycladales can occur at depth
of 25 m. Singh et al. (2009) indicated patch reefal shallow
subtidal environment ranging from moderate to high energy
conditions based on coralline algae. Therefore, based on
overall assemblage of CA, it can be surmised that the limestone
of the Maniyara Fort Formation was deposited in a reefal
environment (10-25 m) under moderate to high energy
conditions.
The Khari Nadi Formation consisting of variegated
siltstone, claystone, sandstone, marl and limestone was
deposited in tidal flat, littoral to shallow inner-shelf, in a slowly
transgressive sea over a stable shelf. Only 9 coralline algal
genera are present in the limestone of this formation (Table 6)
and without indicating precise depth, Kundal and Humane
(2006a) deduced clear water shelf depositional environment
under low energy conditions for the limestone of this
formation. However, taking into consideration the bathymetry
chart of Adey (1979), the association of 4 coralline genera,
Mesophyllum, Sporolithon, Lithothamnion and Lithophyllum,
a depth of 40-60 m is suggested here for the deposition of the
limestone of this formation. Hence in conclusion, assemblage
of CA represented by aforementioned 4 coralline genera
suggests the limestone belonging to Khar Nadi Formation
was deposited in clear water shelf depositional environment
(depth 40-60 m) under low energy conditions.
As mentioned earlier, the Chhasra Formation consisting
of claystone, siltstone, fossiliferous limestone was deposited
in sublittoral environment during the highest stand of the sea.
The assemblage of CA from this formation is represented by 1
cyanophycean taxon, 9 coralline genera, 5 dasyclads
and 1 taxon each of halimedaceans and udoteaceans (Table 6).
Based on dasyclads, Kundal and Humane (2007b) deduced
that the limestone of the Chhasra Formation was deposited in
256 P. Kundal and M. P. Kundal

Table 3 : Calcareous Algae from the Maniyara Fort Formation (Oligocene) of onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin, Western India.

Authors Algal Assemblage

Tandon, Gupta and Coralline alga: Lithophyllum bermotiensis Tandon, Gupta and Saxena
Saxena (1978)
Singh and Kishore Dasyclads: Neomeris sp., Salpingoporella sp., Acicularia sp. and Goniolina sp. Halimedacean alga: Halimeda sp.
(2001)
Misra, Jauhri, Singh, Coralline algae: Amphiroa sp., Arthrocardia sp.1, Corallina sp.1, Corallina sp. 2, Lithoporella sp., Lithothamnion iorii
Kishore and Maslov, L. manni Johnson and Stewart, Lithothamnion sp. 1, Lithothamnion sp. 2, Lithothamnion sp.3, Mesophyllum
Chowdhury (2001) sp.1, Mesophyllum sp.2, Neogoniolithon sp., Spongites sp. and Sporolithon sp.
Kundal and Humane Coralline algae: Amphiroa anchiverricosa Johnson and Ferris, Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri, A. indica Kundal and
(2002) Humane and A. konitaensis Ishijima
Ghosh (2002) Coralline algae: Lithophyllum sp. A, Lithophyllum sp. B, Lithophyllum sp. C, Mesophyllum sp. A and Mesophyllum sp. B
Singh, Kishore, Misra, Coralline algae: Lithothamnion cf. L. lacroixi Lemoine, sp., Mastophoroideae gen. et spec. indet., Spongites sp.1 and
and Jauhri (2002) Spongites sp. 2
Kundal and Humane Coralline algae: Corallina elliptica Ishijima, C. grandis Rao, C. kachchhensis Kundal and Humane, C. marshallensis
(2003) Johnson, C. matansa Johnson and C. otsukiensis Ishijima

Humane and Kundal Halimedacean algae: Halimeda fragilis Taylor, H. incrassata (Ellis) Lamouroux, H. opuntia (Linneaus) Lamouroux and
(2005) H. tuna (Ellis and Solander) Lamouroux Udoteacean algae: Ovulites margaritula Lamarck and O. pyriformis Schwager
Kundal and Humane Coralline algae: Jania badvei Kundal and Humane, J. guamensis Johnson, J. indica Kundal and Wanjarwadkar, J. mayei
(2006a) Johnson, J. sripadaraoi Kundal and Humane and J. vetus Johnson
Kundal and Humane Dasyclad: Cymopolia sp.
(2007b)
Kundal and Humane Coralline algae: Mesophyllum commune Lemoine, M. curtum Aguirre and Braga, M. koritzae Lemoine, M. roveretoi
(2007a) Contii and Mesophyllum sp.
Singh, Kishore, Singh, Coralline algae: Corallina delicatula Johnson and Ferris, Lithoporella melobesioides (Foslie) Foslie, Melobesioideae gen.
Misra and Jauhri et spec. indet. 1, Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. 2, Melobesioideae gen. et spec. indet. 3, Mesophyllum koritzae
(2009) Lemoine, Neogoniolithon sp. 1 Bassi and Nebelsick, Neogoniolithon sp. 2 Hassan and Ghosh, Sporolithon brevium
(Lemoine) Aguirre and Braga and Sporolithon sp. 1 Bassi and Nebelsick
Humane and Kundal Coralline algae: Lithoporella melobesioides (Foslie) Foslie, L. minus Johnson, Lithothamnion giammarinoi Fravega,
(2010) Piazza and Vannucci, L. cardinellense Fravega, Piazza and Vannucci, L. nanosporum Johnson and Ferris, L. tectifons
Mastrorilli, L. florea-brassica (Millet) Lemoine, Lithothamnion sp., Neogoniolithon sp. 2 and Sporolithon taiwanensis
Ishijima

shallow marine waters at a depth of 10-12 m. Valet
(op.cit.) pointed that, in rare occasions, dasycladales can occur
at depth of 25 m. Therefore, based on overall assemblage of
CA, it can be surmised that the limestone of the Chhasra
Formation was deposited in a in shallow marine waters
environment (10-25 m) under moderate to high energy
conditions.
Implications of CA in hydrocarbon exploration
Kundal (2010c and references therein) surmised
significance of CA in hydrocarbon exploration. Petroliferous
basins, which are proven with hydrocarbon deposits. Based
on the status of exploration, Rai et al. (1998) have grouped the
Indian petroliferous basins under 4 categories, viz., a)
Category I Basins: Proven petroliferous basin with
commercial production; b), Category II Basins: Proven
petroliferous basin awaiting commercial production; c),
Category III Basins: Basins geologically considered potential
prospective and d), Category IV Basins: Frontier Basins
which are likely to be potentially prospective.
Presently the Kachchh Basin is categorized in Category
II Basins and a resource base of 210 MMT onshore and 550
MMT onshore has been prognosticated from the Kachchh
Basin (DGH, 2005). Biswas (2008) mentioned that the
onshore Cenozoic sequence of Kachchh is not promising but
the offshore Cenozoic sequence of Kachchh appears to highly
promising as regards the commercial presence of
hydrocarbons since the sequence and facies are same as in
Mumbai Offshore Basin.
The present authors are of the opinion that the on shore
sequence of Kachchh is also promising as the four formations,
viz., Fulra Limestone Formation (middle Eocene), Maniyara
Fort Formation (Oligocene), Khari Nadi Formation (early
Miocene) and Chhasra Formation (late early Miocene) have
presence of calcareous algae in great number and Kundal
(2010c and references therein) surmised significance of CA
in hydrocarbon exploration and concluded that a) most of the
hydrocarbon originate in shelf environments and the CA are
common in the fossil record of ancient shelf environment and
thereby they are used as a potential tool for
paleoenvironments, paleobathymetry; b) the CA are dominant
carbonate producers, limestones and dolomites are by far the
most important of the chemical reservoir rocks and in fact
they contain nearly half of the world's hydrocarbon reserves.
The algal rich facies have provided porous and permeable
 Calcareous Algae from Middle Eocene to Early Miocene onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin 257

Table 4 : Calcareous Algae from the Khari Nadi Formation (early Miocene) of onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin, Western India

Authors Algal Assemblage

Pal and Ghosh (1974) Coralline algae: Aethesolithon cutchensis Pal and Ghosh, A. problematicum Johnson, Archaeporolithon miocenicum
Pal and Ghosh, Lithophyllum aff. L. kladosum Johnson and Mesophyllum commune Lemoine
Kundal and Humane Coralline algae: Amphiroa anchiverricosa Johnson and Ferris and Calliarthron antiquum Johnson
(2002)
Kundal and Humane Coralline alga: Jania badvei Kundal and Humane
(2006a)
Humane and Kundal Coralline algae: Lithothamnion florea-brassica (Millet) Lemoine, and Sporolithon eniwetokensis Johnson
(2010)

reservoirs rocks for hydrocarbon accumulation of various
ages from the Precambrian to the Cenozoic and c). The CA
have been quantitatively significant producers of reefs/
organic reefs (bioherms, biostromes) because they are
bioconstructor of reef and influential in sedimentological
processes, such as the construction of reef frameworks and in
the trapping and binding of fine grained sedimentary particles,
which have become increasingly important as reservoir rocks
and CA are the main biochemical agents in forming
limestones along with bacteria, foraminifera, corals,
brachiopods and molluscs. The Cenozoic onshore sequence of
Kachchh exhibit all these attributes; rich presence of CA; the
assemblage of CA broadly points the shelf environment for
the deposition of Cenozoic sequence and there is an
unequivocal presence of reefal build-ups during the
deposition of limestone beds belonging to the Maniyara Fort
Formation (Oligocene). Hence, there is an urgent need to drill
more exploratory wells both in Kachchh Basins, both onshore
and offshore to ascertain commercial production of
hydrocarbons and to lift the Kachchh Basin from its present
Category II to Category I.
Encouraged by presence of an outstanding number, i.e.,
145 species of CA from onshore Kachchh sequence by earlier
workers, one of the present authors (MPK) envisions presence
of CA in more great number in offshore sequence of Kachchh
and is aiming to study the same. Biswas (2008) concluded
that the offshore Cenozoic sequence is more promising as the
sequence and facies are same as in Mumbai Offshore Basin.
The expectations of MPK may be fulfilled as Kundal et al.
(2005, 2007) recorded 6 coralline algal species from the
Alibag Formation (Late Oligocene to Basal Miocene) and 7
coralline algal species from Bombay Formation (Early
Miocene) respectively of Bombay Offshore Basin and Biswas
(2008) opined that the facies of the two basins, Kachchh
Offshore and Mumbai Offshore are same.
Conclusions
1). The CA are present in large number in the four
formations: Fulra Limestone (35 species), Maniyara Fort
Formation (72 species), Khari Nadi Formation (10 species)
and Chhasra Formation (28 species) form onshore sequence
of Kachchh basin. The present paper enlists calcareous algae
so far documented by various researchers and their
implications for paleoenvironment and petroleum prospects
from this sequence.
2). The assemblage of CA suggests that the Fulra
Limestone Formation was deposited in mid-ramp

Table 5 : Calcareous Algae from the Chhasra Formation (early Miocene) of onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin, Western India

Authors Algal Assemblage

Kundal and Humane Coralline algae: Amphiroa anchiverricosa Johnson and Ferris, Arthrocardia cretacica Raineri and Calliarthron
(2002) antiquum Johnson
Kundal and Humane Coralline algae: Corallina elliptica Ishijima, C. hayasaki Ishijima, C. kachchhensis Kundal and Humane,
(2003) C. marshallensis Johnson, C. matansa Johnson, C. prisca Johnson, C. raoi Chatterji and Gururaja and C. typica Ishijima
Humane and Kundal Halimedacean alga: Halimeda cylindracea Decaisne Udoteacean algae: Ovulites margaritula Lamarck and
(2005) O. pyriformis Schwager
Kundal and Humane Coralline alga: Metagoniolithon sp.
(2006b)
Humane, Kundal and Cyanophycean algae: Rivularia dianae (Dragastan and Bucur) and R. lissaviensis (Bornemann) Dragastan and
Naitam (2006) Rivularia sp
Kundal and Humane Dasyclads: Acroporella sp., Broeckella sp., Clypeina sp., Neomeris plagnensis Deloffre N. ramwadaensis Kundal
(2007b) and Humane and Orioporella sp.,
Humane and Kundal Coralline algae: Lithophyllum sp., Lithoporella melobesioides (Foslie) Foslie, Lithothamnion cardinellense
(2010) Fravega, Piazza and Vannucci and Sporolithon affine Howe
258 P. Kundal and M. P. Kundal

Table 6: Formation wise Generic distribution of Calcareous Algae Middle Eocene to Lower Miocene onshore sequence of Kachchh Basin,
Western India (prepared from Table 1)

Name of the Generic assemblage of CA

Formation

Chhasra Cyanophycean genus: Rivularia

Coralline genera: Amphiroa, Arthrocardia, Calliarthron, Corallina, Lithophyllum, Lithoporella, Lithothamnion,
Metagoniolithon and Sporolithon
Dasyclads: Acroporella., Broeckella, Clypeina, Neomeris and Orioporella
Halimedacean genus: Halimeda
Udoteacean genus: Ovulites
Khari Nadi Coralline genera: Amphiroa, Calliarthron, Jania, Lithophyllum, Lithothamnion, Mesophyllum and Sporolithon
Maniyara Fort Coralline genera: Amphiroa, Arthrocardia, Corallina, Jania, Lithophyllum, Lithoporella, Lithothamnion, Mesophyllum,
Neogoniolithon, Spongites and Sporolithon
Dasyclads: Acicularia, Goniolina, Cymopolia, Neomeris and Salpingoporella
Halimedacean genus: Halimeda
Udoteacean genus: Ovulites
Fulra Limestone Coralline genera: Arthrocardia, Calliarthron, Corallina, Jania, Lithophyllum, Lithoporella, Lithothamnion, Mesophyllum,
Neogoniolithon, Spongites, Sporolithon and Subterraniphyllum
Dasyclads: Cymopolia, Dissocladella and Morelletpora
Halimedacean genus: Halimeda
Udoteacean genus: Ovulites

environment (40-80 m) under low energy conditions; the
limestone of the Maniyara Fort Formation was deposited in
a reefal environment (10-25 m) under moderate to high
energy conditions. The limestone belonging to the Khari
Nadi Formation was deposited in clear water shelf
depositional environment (depth 40-60 m) under low energy
conditions and the limestone of the Chhasra Formation was
deposited in a shallow marine waters environment (10-25
m) under moderate to high energy conditions.
3). The CA are of paramount significance in
hydrocarbon exploration, such as a potential tool for
reconstruction of paleoenvironment, as builder of carbonate
reservoir rocks and reefs. The Cenozoic onshore sequence of
Kachchh displays all these attributes. Hence, there is an urgent
need to drill more exploratory wells both in onshore and
offshore Kachchh Basins, to ascertain commercial production
of hydrocarbons and to lift the Kachchh Basin from its present
Category II to Category I.

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Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2012, 2(3):150-167

Article

Paleoenvironmental significance of ichnofossils from the Mesozoic Jaisalmer

Basin, Rajasthan, north western India

Shyam N. Mude1, S. A. Jagtap2, Pradeep Kundal2, P. K. Sarkar1, M. P. Kundal2

1
Department of Geology, Fergusson College, Pune-411 007, Shivaji Nagar, Maharashtra, India
2
Postgraduate Department of Geology, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur-440010, Maharashtra, India
E-mail: shyammude25@yahoo.co.in

Received 22 December 2011; Accepted 1 February 2012; Published online 1 September 2012
IAEES

Abstract
The Mesozoic rocks are well exposed in the Jaisalmer basin of the Indian Subcontinent. These sediments are
classified into six formations as Lathi Formation, Jaisalmer Formation, Baisakhi Formation, Badasar
Formation, Pariwar Formation and Habur Formation. The sediments are mainly represented by limestone,
sandstone and shale. The sediments of the Jaisalmer Formation, the Baisakhi Formation, the Badasar
Formation and the Pariwar Formation are examined for ichnological investigation and their significant role
during the deposition of those sediments. The present paper documents seventeen ichnofossils such as
Acanthorphaphe isp., Asteriacites isp., Cylindrichnus isp., Keckia annulata, Laevicyclus mongraensis,
Ophiomorpha borneensis, O. nodosa, Paleomendron isp., Palaeophycus heberti, P. tubularis, Planolites
annularis, P. berverlensis, P. montanus, Thalassinoides horizontalis, T. paradoxicus, T. suevicus, and
Skolithos verticalis from the Mesozoic marine sediments of the Jaisalmer basin. The ichnofossil assemblage
have proved major role for the paleonenvironmental interpretation of these sediments and accordingly
depositional paleoenvironments of Jaisalmer Formation, the Baisakhi Formation, the Badasar Formation and
the Pariwar Formation have been drawn.

Keywords paleoenvironment; ichnofossils; Jaisalmer Basin; Rajasthan; India.

1 Introduction
Ichnofossils are of paleoenvironmental significance (Mude, 2012a, 2012b, 2011; Kundal and Mude,2008;
Badve, 1987; Pemberton and Fery, 1982; Chiplonkar et al., 1981; Haentzschel,1975; Simpson, 1975; Seilacher,
1964,1967, etc). Marine sedimentary rocks deposited in the Jaisalmer basin during the Mesozoic Era are
represented by siliciclastic and carbonate rocks. The rocks of the Jaisalmer basin are grouped into six namely,
Lathi Formation, Jaisalmer Formation, Baisakhi Formation, Badasar Formation, Pariwar Formation and Habur
Formation. The Lathi Formation consists of various sandstones with fossilized wood and tree trunk, the
Jaisalmer Formation is represented by marine arenaceous limestone, calcareous sandstone and marly limestone,
the Baisakhi Formation consists of shale and sandstone, the Badasar Formation consists of sandstone and
sandstone-shale intercalation, the Pariwar Formation is represented by sandstone –shale intercalation with
fossil wood and the Habur Formation consists of limestone, sandy limestone and calcareous sandstone .

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 Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2012, 2(3):150-167 151

Mesozoic rocks of the Jaisalmer basin are studied for palaeontological aspects by various researchers such
as Sahni and Bhatnagar (1958), Subbotia et al. 1960), Krishna (1987), Dave and Chatterjee (1996), Kachhara
and Jodhawat (1999), Khosla et al. (2006) and Rai and Gurg (2007). Ichnological investigations have been
carried out by researchers like Kumar (1979), Chiplonkar et al. (1981), Sudan et al. (2000), Borkar and
Kulkarni (2001, 2002) , Rai and Gurg (2007) and Kulkarni et al (2008).
Seventeen ichnofossils from the Mesozoic Jaisalmer sediments have been documented, analyzed,
described and used for the palaeoenvironmental interpretation. These ichnofossils are represented by
Acanthorphaphe isp., Asteriacites isp., Cylindrichnus isp., Keckia annulata, Laevicyclus mongraensis,
Ophiomorpha borneensis, O. nodosa, Paleomendron isp., Palaeophycus heberti, P. tubularis, Planolites
annularis. P. berverlensis, P. montanus, Thalassinoides horizontalis, T. paradoxicus, T. suevicus, and
Skolithos verticalis .

2 Geological Setting
Marine Mesozoic rocks are widespread in the Jaisalmer basin, Rajasthan (Fig. 1). The rock successions in the
basin are represented by Siliciclastic rocks interspersed with Carbonates of shallow, neritic facies in a
southerly extending embayment of the Tethys. Mesozoic rocks of the Jaisalmer basin are classified as Lathi
Formation, Jaisalmer Formation, Baisakhi Formation, Badasar Formation, Pariwar Formation and Habur
Formation (Table 1).

Table 1 The Mesozoic Stratigraphy of the Jaisalmer Basin ( Based on Dasgupta, 1974; Krishna, 1987)

3 Systematic Taxonomy
This study of paleo-ichnology follows the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, (Haentschel, 1975). The
morphological classification of Simpson (1975), ethological classification of Seilacher (1964) and facies
classification of Seilacher (1964, 1967) are adopted.

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152 Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2012, 2(3):150-167

Fig. 1 Location map of the study area (Fossil localities are marked by star)

Ichnogenus : Acanthorphaphe Ksiazkiewicz, 1970 (In Haentzschel,1975)

Diagnosis: Thin trails, 1 mm in width; twisting in somewhat irregular curves of small amplitudes, with short
thorn like branches, usually on convex side of curves.
Ichnospecies: Acanthorphaphe isp. (Pl. III-(1))
Material: DG/FCP/IF/103
Description: Tree like network of trails, parallel to bedding plane and the diameter of the trails ranges from 1
to 2 mm. it gives branch like appearance.
Remark: The present trails are disposed parallel to the bedding plane and they are very thin with tree / branch
like appearance. Thus, this specimen is described as Acanthorphaphe isp.. It is interpreted morphologically as
tunnel and ethologically as pascichnia.
Occurrences: Marly limestone of the Jaisalmer Formation in a dry rivulet near Badabag.

Ichnogenus : Asteriacites Von Schlotheim 1820 (In : Haentzschel,1975)

Diagnosis: Impressions in the form of asteroids or ophiuroids, with sculptured arms; their striae produced by
activity produced by digging tube feet.
Ichnospecies: Asteriacites isp. (Pl. III-(5))
Material: DG/FCP/IF/91
Description: The central circular to semicircular body consisting of 4 arms having thickness 6 mm and the
width of arms decreases from centre towards outward. The diameter of the core varies from 16 to 20 mm and
the diameter of the arms is 6 mm.
Remark: The present trace fossil has impression in the form of asteroids or ophiuroids, with transversely
sculpted arms which may be produced by diggings tube feet. Chamberlain (1971) has been documented A.
lumbricalis which is interpreted by Seilacher (1953 b, In Haentschel, 1975 ) as resting traces of Asterozoa
produced by ophiuroids. Seilacher (1953 a, In Haentschel, 1975) has described Asteriacites from Lower

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Jurassic sediments of Germany. As the present resting trace fossil has a central circular body with four arms,
this is described and identified as Asteriacites isp. it is ethologically interpreted as cubichnia.
Occurrences: Shale-Siltstone intercalation at Badasar village, Badasar Formation

Plate III (1) Acanthorphaphe isp; disposed horizontal to the bedding plane, network of very thin trails. (2) Planolites montanus;
disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane, unlined very thin burrow. (3) Thalassonoids paradoxicus; disposed horizontal to the
bedding plane, exhibiting simple branching. (4) Unidentified Trail; disposed parallel to the bedding plane. (5) i) Asteriacites isp ,
disposed horizontal to the bedding plane, arms visible, resting burrow. ii) Cylindrichnus isp, disposed perpendicular to the
bedding plane, vertical burrow with central core.

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Ichnogenus : Cylindrichnus Toots (In : Haward 1966)

Diagnosis: Vertical burrows, circular to semicircular in cross section, perpendicular to slightly inclined to the
bedding surface having central core.
Ichnospecies: Cylindrichnus isp. (Pl. III-(5); Pl. V-(1))

Plate V (1). i) Keckia Annulata ; disposed horizontal to the bedding plane exhibiting annulations. ii) Skolithos verticalis;
disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane, vertical smaller and shorter burrow. iii) Cylindrichnus isp, disposed perpendicular
to the bedding plane, vertical burrow with central core. (2) i) Cylindrichnus isp., disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane,
vertical burrow with central core. ii) Laevicyclus mongraensis; disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane, vertical burrow with
cental shaft. iii) Laevicyclus mongraensis; disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane, vertical burrow with central shaft.
(3) Skolithos verticalis; disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane vertical smaller and shorter burrow.

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Material: Specimen Nos. DG/FCP/IF/3, 4, 76

Description: Burrows are vertical, semicircular in cross section having central core. Exterior wall of the
burrows has crudely preserved concentric layers. The diameter of the burrows varies from 6 to 9 mm and the
diameter of the central core is 4 mm.
Remark: Cylindrichnus is a permanent domichnial burrow of filter feeding organism (Haentzschel, 1975).
Badve (1987) described Cylindrichnus isp. From top section of the Nimar Sandstone Formation exposed at
Yalam, Madhya Pradesh. Kundal and Sanganwar (1998) documented this from the Nimar Sandstone
Formation exposed at Hardaspur, Jobat of Jhabua district, M.P. Burrows are vertical, semicircular in cross
section having central core, exterior wall of the burrows has crudely preserved concentric layers and more
material with well preserved burrows is needed to describe up to specific level. Thus the present burrow is
described as Cylindrichnus isp. It is interpreted morphologically as shaft and ethologically as domichnia.
Occurrences: Marly limestone of the Jaisalmer Formation in a dry rivulet near Badabag; Shale-Siltstone
intercalation at Badasar, Badasar Formation.

Ichnogenus : Keckia Glocker, 1841

Diagnosis: Unbranched burrow, thinly lined, disposed horizontal to the bedding plane, districts annulations.
Ichnospecies: Keckia annulata Glocker, 1841 (Pl. V-(1))
Diagnosis: Unbranched burrow, thinly lined, disposed horizontal to the bedding plane, districts transverse
annulations.
Material: Specimen Nos. DG/FCP/IF/1, 77
Description: Burrows unbranched, thinly lined with transverse annulations. The diameter of the burrows varies
from 7 to 10 mm and 5 to 6 annulations per centimeter. The burrows are disposed horizontal to the bedding
plane.
Remarks: Burrows are curved, unbranched and thinly lined with varying length and consists of transverse
annulations. The present burrows are distinctly annulated and curved; therefore it is described as Keckia
annulata Glocker. Chiplonkar and Ghare (1975), Badve (1987), Kundal and Sanganwar(2000) and Nayak
(2000), recorded K. annulata from the Bagh Group. Kundal and Dharashivkar (2006) reported it from the
bioclastic limestone of the Kalyanpur Limestone Member of the Dwarka Formation, Kundal et al.,( 2005)
documented from Babaguru Formation, Cambay Basin. They are classified morthologically as tunnel and
ethologically as fodinichnia.
Occurrence: Marly limestone of the Jaisalmer Formation in a dry rivulet near Badabag and Shale-Siltstone
intercalation at Badasar, Badasar Formation

Ichnogenus : Laevicyclus Quensdete, 1879

Diagnosis: Vertical to slightly inclined burrows consisting of scraping circles surrounding a central vertical
shaft, perpendicular to the bedding planes.
Ichnospecies: Laevicyclus mongraensis,Verma 1977 (Pl. V-(2))
Diagnosis: Vertical to slightly inclined burrows perpendicular to the bedding planes, scraping circles
surrounding a central vertical shaft, two distinct circles visible in transverse section Verma (1971).
Material: Specimen Nos. DG/FCP/IF/5, 6
Description: Scraping circle surrounding a central vertical shaft, perpendicular to inclined to the bedding plane
and preserved as positive epirelief. The diameter of the central shaft is 4 mm and 6 mm of scraping circle.
Remarks: Scraping circle surrounds a central vertical shaft. Burrow is perpendicular to inclined to the bedding
plane and preserved as positive epirelief. Diameter of central shaft and scraping circles show close similarities

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with Laevicyclus mongraensis Verma. They are morphologically shaft and ethologically domichnia. Verma
(1971) originally described from Nimar Sandstone at Mongra, Amba Dongar area, Gujarat. This ichnospecies
has been further recorded by various workes from India (Kundal and Sanganwar, 1998; Kundal and
Dharashivkar, 2006). Recently, Mude (2012) documented it from the Babaguru Formation, Gujarat.
Occurrence: Marly limestone of the Jaisalmer Formation in a dry rivulet near Badabag.

Plate I (1) Ophiomorpha nodosa; disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane and consisting of regularly distributed discoid,
ovoid or irregular polygonal pellets. (2) Ophiomorpha nodosa; disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane and consisting of
regularly distributed discoid, ovoid or irregular polygonal pellets. (3) Ophiomorpha bornnensis; disposed perpendicular to the
bedding plane and consisting of regularly distributed bi-lobed pellets. (4) Ophiomorpha bornnensis; disposed perpendicular to
the bedding plane and consisting of regularly distributed bi-lobed pellets. (5) Palaeophycus heberti; disposed perpendicular to the
bedding plane and having thick wall.

Ichnogenus: Ophiomorpha Lundgren, 1891

Diagnosis: Vertical to horizontal shaft and tunnel, Simple to complex burrow systems, distinctly lined with
agglutinated pelletoidal sediments. Burrow lining more or less smooth interiorly; densely to sparsely

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mammalated or nodose exteriorly. Individual pellets or pelletal masses may be discoidal, ovoid, mastoid,
bilobate, or irregular in shape, (Frey et al, 1978).

Ichnospecies: Ophiomorpha borneensis Keij (Pl. I-(3), (4))

Diagnosis: Burrow walls consisting predominantly of sparse, irregularly distributed, ovoid to mastoid pellets
or pelletal masses, (Frey et al, 1978).
Material: DG/FCP/IF/62, 64
Description: Vertical to slightly inclined, lined burrows with bilobed pellets. The diameter of the burrows
varies from 18 to 22 mm and the diameter of the pellets ranges from 2 to 5 mm.
Remark: These are horizontal and inclined burrows. Wall consists of dense regularly distributed bilobed
pellets. The wall of burrows is composed of distinctly bilobed pellets and hence these are placed under
Ophiomorpha borneensis Keij (Frey et al., 1978). They are interpreted morphologically as shaft and
ethologically as domichnia. This ichnospecies has been discovered by various ichnologists from different
stratigraphic horizons from Indian Subcontinent (Kundal and Dharashivkar, 2006; Kundal and Mude, 2008).
Occurrence: Calcareous sandstone exposed at Pariwar village, Parivar Formation.

Ichnospecies: Ophiomorpha nodosa Lundgren (Pl. I-(1), (2); Pl. IV-(5))

Diagnosis: Burrow walls consisting predominantly of dense, regularly distributed discoid, ovoid or irregular
polygonal pellets, (Frey et al, 1978).
Material: Specimen: DG/FCP/IF/ 61, 63, 68
Description: Lined, vertical to inclined burrows with discoidal and irregular polygonal pellets. Branching is
also present. The diameter of the burrow ranges from 14-25 mm and the diameter of the pellets varies from 1-4
mm.
Remark: Burrows are straight to slightly curve and they are horizontal, inclined and perpendicular to the
bedding plane. They exhibit branching habit while the wall of burrows consists of regularly distributed
discoidal and irregular polygonal pellets. The present burrows are much similar to that of Ophiomorpha
nodosa Lundgren and hence, they are identified as Ophiomorpha nodosa Lundgren. It has been discovered by
various workers from the Indian subcontinent (Chiplonkar and Ghare, 1975; Kundal et al., ,2005; Kundal and
Dharashivkar ,2006; Kundal and Mude,2008). They are interpreted as shaft (morphologically) and domichnia
(ethologically).
Occurrence: Calcareous sandstone exposed at Pariwar village, Parivar Formation.

Ichnogenus: Paleomendron Peruzzi , 1881

Diagnosis: Meandering trail, disposed horizontal to the bedding plane, double pointed corners at mender.
Ichnospecies: Paleomendron isp. (Pl. IV-(7))
Material: Specimen Nos. DG/FCP/IF/52,109,110, 111
Description: Horizontal trail with meandering and meanders with double pointed corner. The average
diameter of the trail is 35 mm and the diameter at meander varies from 40-50 mm.
Remark: Trails are disposed horizontal to the bedding plane with meandering. Double pointed corners are
distinctly seen at portion of meandering. Thus, the present trails are identified and described as Paleomendron
isp. (Haentzschel, 1975). Ksiazkiewicz (1968) has documented Paleomendron rubustum as a graizing trail in
Flysch deposits (Late Creataceous to Early Tertiary) from Australia, Italy, Spain and Poland. They are
interpreted as tunnel (morphologically) and paschichnia (ethologically). This ichnospecies has been discoved
from late Cretaceous Lameta Formation of Jabalpur area, Madhya Pradesh, India (Saha et al, 2010).

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Occurrence: Shale-Siltstone intercalation at Badasar, Badasar Formation and Calcareous sandstone exposed
near Mata Temple near Baisakhi, Baisakhi Formation.

Plate IV (1) Planolites annularis; disposed horizontal to the bedding plane with transverse annulations. (2) Thalassonoids
horizontalis; disposed horizontal to the bedding plane without any vertical offshoot / shaft. (3) Thalassonoids horizontalis;
disposed horizontal to the bedding plane without any vertical offshoot / shaft. (4) Thalassonoids horizontalis; disposed horizontal
to the bedding plane without any vertical offshoot / shaft. (5) Ophiomorpha nodosa; disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane
and consisting of regularly distributed discoid, ovoid or irregular polygonal pellets. (6) Thalassonoids suevicus; disposed
horizontal to the bedding plane exhibiting complex branching. (7) Paleomeandron isp. ; disposed horizontal to the bedding plane,
meandering trail exhibiting double pointed corners at mender.

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Ichnogenus : Palaeophycus Hall , 1847

Diagnosis: Lined, straight to tortuous, smooth to irregularly walled , elliptical to circular in cross-section,
variable dimensions, burrow fill same to the host rock or colour of burrow identical to that of host rock
(Pemberton and Frey, 1982).

Plate II (1) Palaeophycus tubularis; disposed perpendicular to the bedding, thickly walled, tube like appearance. (2)
Palaeophycus tubularis; disposed perpendicular to the bedding ,thickly walled, tube like appearance. (3) Palaeophycus tubularis;
disposed perpendicular to the bedding, thickly walled, tube like appearance. (4) Palaeophycus heberti; disposed perpendicular to
the bedding plane and having thick wall. (5) Planolites berverlensis; disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane, unlined thick
burrow. (6) Planolites berverlensis; disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane, unlined thick burrow. (7) Planolites montanus;
disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane, unlined very thin burrow. (8) Planolites montanus; disposed perpendicular to the
bedding plane, unlined very thin burrow.

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Ichnospecies: Palaeophycus heberti ( Saporta) (Pl. I-(5), Pl. II-(4))

Diagnosis: Thickly Lined, straight to tortuous, smooth to irregularly walled , elliptical to circular in cross-
section, variable dimensions, burrow fill same to the host rock (Pemberton and Frey, 1982).
Material: Specimen Nos. DG/FCP/IF/90, 125
Description: Unbranched burrows disposed horizontal to the bedding plane, lined burrow with thick wall,
material infilled in the burrow similar to the host rock. The diameter of the burrow is 29 mm while the
diameter of the wall is 9 mm.
Remark: Burrow is unbranched and horizontal to the bedding plane. The wall of burrow is considerably thick.
Colour of burrow and host rock is same. It is cylindrical to subcylindrical in outer appearance and elliptical to
roughly circular in cross section. It is a lined burrow filled with sediments typically identical to those of the
host rock. As the present burrow has thick wall, this is described under Paleophycus heberti (Saporta)
(Pemberton and Frey, 1982). They are interpreted morphologically as tunnel and ethologically as fodinichnia.
Badve (1987) and Kundal and Sanganwar (1998) reported this species from Bagh Group of Madhya Pradesh.
Kundal and Dharashivkar (2006) documented this species from Kalyanpur Limestone Member of Dwarka
Formation. Recently, Mude et al., (2012) documented it from the Bhuj Formation, Kachchh.
Occurrence: Shale-Siltstone intercalation at Badasar, Badasar Formation

Ichnospecies: Palaeophycus tubularis (Pl. II-(1), (2), (3))

Diagnosis: Thickly lined, straight to tortuous, smooth to irregularly walled , circular in cross-section, variable
dimensions, burrow fill same to the host rock, appears just like tube with uniform thickness (Pemberton and
Frey, 1982).
Material: Specimen Nos. DG/FCP/IF/ 71, 84, 88
Description: Thinly lined unbranched burrows disposed horizontal to the bedding plane, infilled material is
same as that of host rock, circular to semicircular in cross section. The diameters of the burrows vary from 6 to
24 mm and the diameter of the wall ranges from 1 to 2 mm.
Remark: Burrows are unbranched, thinly lined, cylindrical to tube like in appearance. They are preserved as
positive epirelief and circular to semicircular in cross section and parallel to the bedding plane. Burrows are
filled with material typically identical to that of surrounding matrix or host rock.The present burrows are,
thinly lined and filled with material same to that of host rock. Therefore, they are described under Paleophyus
tubularis Hall (Pemberton and Frey, 1982). They are interpreted morphologically as tunnel and ethologically
as fodinichnia. Badve (1987) and Kundal and Sanganwar (1998) described this species from Bagh Group of
Madhya Pradesh. Kundal et al., (2005) documented it from Babaguru Formation at Bhilod village, Broach
district, Gujarat, Kundal and Dharashivkar (2006) recorded this species from Positra Limestone Member of
Dwarka Formation. Recently, Mude et al., (2012) documented it from the Bhuj Formation, Kachchh.
Occurrence: Shale-Siltstone intercalation at Badasar, Badasar Formation.

Ichnogenus: Planolites Nicholson, 1873

Diagnosis: Unlined, rarely branched, straight to tortuous, smooth to irregularly walled , elliptical to circular in
cross-section, variable dimensions, burrow fill different in lithology from host rock, colour of burrow differ
from that of host rock. (Pemberton and Frey, 1982).
Ichnospecies: Planolites annularis (Pl. IV-(1))
Diagnosis: Straight to gently curved or tortuous cylindrical burrows with transverse annulations on the
surface of the tunnel (Pemberton and Frey, 1982).

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Description: The burrow is straight to slightly curved with distinct transverse annulations. The diameter of the
burrow is 10 mm. the burrow infilled is identical to the host rock.
Remarks: The material of the burrow infilled is same to that of host rock and the burrow exhibits transverse
annulations. The present burrow is much similar to Planolites annularis, Pemberton and Frey, 1982. Therefore
it is identified as Planolites annularis. It is interpreted morphologically as tunnel and ethologically as
fodinichnia.
Occurrence: Marly limestone of the Jaisalmer Formation in a dry rivulet near Badabag.

Ichnospecies: Planolites beverleyensis (Billings) (Pl. II-(4), (5))

Diagnosis: straight to gently curved or tortuous cylindrical burrows, smooth and thick (Pemberton and Frey,
1982).
Material: Specimen Nos. DG/FCP/IF/ 56, 82
Description: Straight to slightly curved burrow without lining, infilled material is different from the host rock,
disposed parallel to the bedding plane, circular to semicircular in cross section. The diameter of the burrows
varies from 15 to 24 mm.
Remark: Burrows are straight, unbranched and disposed parallel to the bedding plane. They are semicircular to
circular in cross section. They are unlined burrows infilled with material different from that of host rock i.e.
colour of burrow and host rock is different. The present burrows are considerably thick. Hence, they are placed
under Planolites beverleyensis (Billings) (Pemberton and Frey, 1982). They are interpretd morphologically as
tunnel and ethologically as fodinichnia. Borkar and Kulkarni (1992) and Kundal and Sanganwar (1998, 2000)
recorded Planolites beverleyensis (Billings) from Wadhawan Formation of Gujarat and Bagh Group of
Madhya Pradesh, respectively. Kundal et al., (2005) documented it from Babaguru Formation at Bhilod village,
Broach district, Gujarat. Kundal and Dharashivkar (2006) recorded this species from Shankhodhar Sand-Clay
Member Dwarka Formation. Recently, Mude et al. (2012) documented it from the Bhuj Formation,
Kachchh.Further, Mude (2012) documented it from the Babaguru Formation, Gujarat.
Occurrence: Shale-Siltstone intercalation at Badasar, Badasar Formation and Calcareous sandstone exposed
near Mata Temple at Baisakhi, Baisakhi Formation

Ichnospecies: Planolites montanus Nicholson (Pl. II-(7), (8); Pl. III-(2))

Diagnosis: straight to gently curved or tortuous cylindrical burrows, smooth thin and very small (Pemberton
and Frey, 1982).
Material: Specimen Nos. DG/FCP/IF/ 93, 75, 76, 107, 112
Description: Straight, undulose, tortuous, unlined burrow, disposed parallel to the bedding plane, infilled
material in the burrow is different than that of host rock. The diameter of the burrows ranges from 4 to 7 mm.
Remark: Burrows are straight, undulose, tortuous and isolated. They are disposed parallel to the bedding plane
and preserved as positive epirelief. They are an unlined burrows infilled with sediments having textural and
fabricational characters different from host rock. Present burrows are small in diameter and tortuous in nature.
Hence, they are placed under Planolites montanus Richter (Pemberton and Frey, 1982). They are interpreted
morphologically as tunnel and ethologically as fodinichnia. Many researchers like Badve and Ghare (1978,
1980); Sanganwar and Kundal (1997); Kundal and Sanganwar (1998, 2000) reported this ichnospecies from
Bagh Group of Madhya Pradesh while Chiplonkar and Ghare (1979) documented from Trichinopoly Group,
Tamil Nadu. Kundal et al., (2005) documented this from Babaguru Formation at Bhilod village, Broach district,
Gujarat. Kundal and Dharashivkar (2006) reported this ichnospecies from Shankhodhar Sand Clay Member
(Dwarka Formation) at Dingeshwar Mahadev cliff.

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Occurrence: Marly limestone of the Jaisalmer Formation in a dry rivulet near Badabag and Shale-Siltstone
intercalation at Badasar, Badasar Formation.

Ichnogenus : Thalassinoides Ehrenberg, 1944

Diagnosis: Cylindrical burrows forming three dimensional branching systems consisting of horizontal network
connected to surface by more or less vertical shaft. Regularly branching, Y to T shaped bifurcations in
horizontal system forming polygons, typical swelling at points of branching or elsewhere.

Ichnospecies: Thalassonoids horizontalis Myrow, 1995 (Pl. IV-(2), (3), (4))

Diagnosis: Cylindrical burrows, predominantly horizontal, more or less regularly branched, unlined burrow
system with smooth wall, horizontal network without vertical shaft, lack of swelling at points of branching
(Myrow, 1995).
Material: Specimen Nos. DG/FCP/IF/ 57 and field photographs
Description: Very thick horizontal burrow, disposed parallel to the bedding plane without any ornamentation,
cylindrical in cross section, absence of vertical offshoots, the diameter of the burrows ranges from 45 to 50
mm (Lab specimens) and 45 to 75 mm ( field specimens).
Remark: The burrows are disposed parallel to the bedding planes without vertical offshoots and the length of
burrow varies from 100 – 450 mm and diameter ranges from 45-75 mm. the present burrows show much
similarities with that of Thalassonoids horizontalis Myrow (1995). It is interpreted morphologically as tunnel
and ethologically as domichnia. Malarkoli et.al., (2009) recorded this from the Palaeogene sediments of the
Pondicherry area, India.
Occurrences: Shale-Siltstone intercalation at Badasar, Badasar Formation and Calcareous sandstone exposed
near Mata Temple at Baisakhi, Baisakhi Formation

Ichnospecies: Thalassonoids paradoxicus, Woodward 1830 (In Curran and Frey, 1977) (Pl. III-(3))
Diagnosis: Predominantly horizontal, isolated and unbranched, simple Y-shaped burrows, disposed horizontal
to the bedding planes (Howard and Frey, 1984).
Material: Specimen Nos. DG/FCP/IF/76
Description: Y-shaped isolate burrow, swelling at the point of bifurcation with smooth surface and
unornamented. The diameters of the burrows vary from 6 to 15 mm and the diameter at the branching is 10 to
18 mm.
Remark: the present burrows are isolated, Y-shaped and unornamented and thus they are identified and
described as Thalassinoides paradoxicus. Morphologically it is interpreted as tunnel and ethologically as
domichnia. Sanganwar and Kundal (1997) and Kundal and Sanganwar (1998) respectively documented this
from the Nimar Sandstone Formation at Yelam, Barwah, Khargaon district, Madhya Pradesh and Hardaspur,
Jobat, Jhabua district.
Occurrence: Shale-Siltstone intercalation at Badasar, Badasar Formation.

Ichnospecies: Thalassinoides suevicus, Kennedy, 1967 (Pl. IV-(6))

Diagnosis: Predominantly horizontal, Simple Y-shaped to complex branching, essentially cylindrical burrow
system consists of a horizontal network connected to the surface by a more or less vertical shaft; dichotomous
bifurcation are more common than T-branches (Howard and Frey, 1984).
Material: Specimen Nos. DG/FCP/IF/ 51, 80

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Description: Y-shaped to complex burrow, swelling at the point of bifurcation with smooth surface and
unornamented, parallel to the bedding plane. The diameter of the burrows ranges from 8 to 10 mm (Lab.
Specimen) and 40 to 120 mm (Field specimen).
Remark: The burrows are Y-shaped to complex and disposed parallel to the bedding plane without
ornamentation, exhibiting swelling at the point of bifurcation. The present burrows show most of the
characters similar to that of Thalassinoides suevicus, hence these are described as Thalassinoides suevicus. It is
interpreted morphologically as tunnel and ethologically as domichnia.
Occurrences: Shale-Siltstone intercalation at Badasar, Badasar Formation and Calcareous sandstone exposed
near Mata Temple at Baisakhi, Baisakhi Formation.

Ichnogenus : Skolithos Haldemann,1840

Diagnosis: Straight tubes or pipes perpendicular to bedding plane, shafts parallel to each other, subcylindrical
to cylindrical, unbranched.
Ichnospecies: Skolithos verticalis (Pl. V-(1), (3))
Diagnosis: Straight to slightly curved, cylindrical burrow, vertical to inclined, usually shorter and smaller.
Material: Specimen Nos. DGFCP/IF/ 2, 7
Description: Vertical shaft, disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane without branching. The diameter of
the burrows varies from 5-6 mm.
Remarks: Burrows are cylindrical, unbranched, and disposed perpendicular to the bedding plane. Skolithos
verticalis are generally shorter in length and smaller in diameter as compare to Skolithos linearis. They are
suspension feeder, ethologically domichnia and morphologically shaft. The genus Skolithos is widely known in
near shore /shallow water marine environment (Seilacher, 1967). The suspension feeding burrows are the
resultant of the feeding activities of polychaetes like Amphinome rostrata and Nereis costoe (Patel and Desai,
2009). Recently, Mude (2012) documented it from the Babaguru Formation, Gujarat.
Occurrence: Marly limestone of the Jaisalmer Formation in a dry rivulet near Badabag and Shale-Siltstone
intercalation at Badasar, Badasar Formation.

Ichnogenus : ?
Unidentified Trail (Pl. III-(4))
Material: Specimen Nos. DGFCP/IF/ 104
Description: Thin trail more or less straight tapering at one end. The diameter of the trail ranges from 2 to 3
mm.
Remark: The present trail is very thin, straight and narrowing at one end disposed parallel to the bedding plane.
As only one specimen is available and there is lack of literature, this is described as unidentified trail and it is
open for discussion.
Occurrence: Shale-Siltstone intercalation at Badasar, Badasar Formation.

4 Discussion
The palaeonvironment of marine sediments can be interpreted by investigating lithology, primary structures,
and faunal elements, but in modern days, ichnofossils and association of ichnofossils due to their
autochthonous nature, have been proved very helpful in palaeogeographic investigations (Haentzschel, 1975).
Seilacher has proved that the typical trace fossils assemblages occur in different location in sediments of
different ages. Such assemblage belongs to a particular marine environment and is composed of typical
association of ichnofossils, constituting ichnofacies (Haentzschel, 1975). Seilacher (1967) has introduced the

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ichnofacies classification and he (op. cit) has grouped all known ichnofossils into six ichnofacies, namely,
Scoyenia Facies (non-marine, commonly red-beds), Skolithos Facies (littoral; rapid sedimentation),
Glossifungites Facies (littoral; with erosional surface), Cruzian Facies (deeper shallow water, below the true
littoral zone), Zoophycos Facies (transitional to bathyal zone) and Nereites Facies (bathyal to abyssal; pelagic
sediments and turbidites).
The first record of trace fossil (Gyrochorte) was made by Kumar (1979), Chiplonkar (1981) identified
ichnogenus Ichnypica, Borkar and Kulkarni (2001) documented presence of Rhizocorallium karaiensis from
the Habur Formation and Borkar and Kulkarni (2008) recorded Planolites isp., P. montanus and
Thalassinoides isp. from Fatehgarh Formation. Recently, Kulkarni et al. (2008) documented ichnospecies such
as Arenicolies tenuis, (?) Bichordites isp., Planolites isp., Rhizocorallium irregulare, R. jenense, Taenidium
serpentinum and Thalassinoides ichnosp the Ford Member of the Jaisalmer Formation.

5 Conclusions
The present paper documents seventeen ichnofossils such as Acanthorphaphe isp., Asteriacites isp.,
Cylindrichnus isp., Keckia annulata, Laevicyclus mongraensis, Ophiomorpha borneensis, O. nodosa,
Paleomendron isp., Palaeophycus heberti, P. tubularis, Planolites annularis. P. berverlensis, P. montanus,
Thalassinoides horizontalis, T. paradoxicus, T. suevicus, and Skolithos verticalis from the Mesozoic marine
sediments of the Jaisalmer basin and their formation wise occurrences are mentioned in Table 2.

Table2 Palaeo-environmental interpretation based on ichnofossils assemblage

Ichnofossils from the Mesozoic Jaisalmer Basin

STRATIGRAPHIC DEPOSITIONAL
HORIZON ENVIRONMENT
ICHNOFOSSILS

HABUR FORMATION Not Investigated No Comments

PARIWAR Ophiomorpha borneensis, O. nodosa Shallow water near-shore

FORMATION marine environment for the top
of the formation.

BADASAR Asteriacites isp., Cylindrichnus isp., Shallow sub-littoral marine

FORMATION Palaeophycus heberti, P. tubularis, environment with moderate to
Planolites annularis, P. berverlensis, P. low energy conditions.
montanus, T. paradoxicum, T. suevicus,

BAISAKHI Paleomendron isp., Planolites Shallow sublittoral (deeper

FORMATION berverlensis, Thalassinoides shallow) marine environment.
horizontalis, T. suevicus.

JAISALMER Acanthorphophe isp., Cylindrichnus isp, Littoral to sublittoral marine

FORMATION Keckia annulata, Laevicyclus environment under high to
mongraensis, Planolites montanus and moderate energy conditions.
Skolithos verticalis

LATHI FORMATION Not Investigated No Comments

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 Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2012, 2(3):150-167 165

The Jaisalmer Formation consists of six ichnofossils, namely, Acanthorphaphe isp., Cylindrichnus isp.,
Keckia annulata, Laevicyclus mongraensis, Planolites annularis and P. montanus. The ichnofossils
assemblage belongs to Skolithos ichnofacies which indicate that the Jaisalmer Formation was deposited in
littoral to sub-littoral marine environment under high to moderate energy conditions. The Baisakhi Formation
consists of 4 ichnofossils, namely, Paleomendron isp., Planolites berverlensis, Thalassinoides horizontalis and
T. suevicus. The ichnofossils assembalgae from the Baisakhi Formation belongs to Cruziana ichnofacies which
point out that the Baisakhi Formation was deposited in shallow sublittoral (deeper shallow ) marine
environment. The Badasar Formation consists of ten ichnofossils, namely, Asteriacites isp., Cylindrichnus isp.,
Paleomendron isp., Paleophycus heberti, P. tubularis, Planolites berverlensis, P. montanus, Thalassinoides
paradoxicus and T. suevicus. The ichnofossils assemblage belongs to Cruziana facies which indicates that the
Badasar Formation was deposited in shallow sub-littoral marine environment with moderate to low energy
conditions. The Pariwar Formation consists of two ichnofossils, namely, Ophiomorpha borneensis and O.
nodosa. The ichnofossils assembalge belongs to Skolithos facies. The samples for the present study are
collected from the surface exposures in the type locality where the top portion of the Pariwar Formation was
exposed. Thus, the present ichnofossils point out that the top of the Pariwar Formation was deposited in
shallow water near-shore marine environment and contacting the conclusion of non-marine environment for
the deposition of the Pariwar Formation.

Acknowledgements
The authors (SNM and SAJ) are greatly thankful to the Head, Postgraduate Department of Geology; RTM
Nagpur, University for providing facilities in present work. First author is greatly thankful to Head,
Department of Geology, Fergusson College, Pune for constant encouragement during the preparation of
manuscript.

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