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Further contribution to the low latitude leaf assemblage from the late Oligocene sediments of Assam and its phytogeographical significance

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An assemblage of fossil leaves is described from the late Oligocene (Chattian 28.1–23 Ma) sediments of Assam, which was located in a low palaeolatitude (~10–15°N) during the period of sedimentation. It includes four new fossil leaves resembling Firmiana and Pterygota of the Malvaceae s.l. and Paranephelium and Sapindus of the Sapindaceae. The present study suggests that the floral migration between India and southeast Asia had occurred after the late Oligocene. Our study is in congruence with the earlier published data suggesting a floral migration had occurred after the complete suturing of two landmasses by the Neogene.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the authorities of the Coal India Limited (Northeastern Region), Margherita for permission to collect plant fossils from the Makum Coalfield. Thanks are also due to the Directors, Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata and the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun for permitting us to consult the herbarium. The authors are also thankful to Dr N C Mehrotra, Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow for providing necessary facilities and permission to carry out the present work.

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    GAURAV SRIVASTAVA & R C MEHROTRA

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SRIVASTAVA, G., MEHROTRA, R.C. Further contribution to the low latitude leaf assemblage from the late Oligocene sediments of Assam and its phytogeographical significance. J Earth Syst Sci 122, 1341–1357 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-013-0354-3

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