Palm Leaf Fossils from the Early Eocene of Western Rajasthan: Paleoclimatic Implications
摘要
Palms are represented by a large number of fossils from the Indian Mesozoic and Cenozoic successions, but no palm fossil has been reported from Rajasthan till date. Here, we first report fossilized impressions of isolated palm fronds described under the fossil genus Amesoneuron Göppert. from the Early Eocene (~ 55–52 Ma) sedimentary sequences of the Gurha lignite mine, Rajasthan, western India. The recovered fossil specimens are characterized by isolated, laterally impressed, unarmed segments of coriaceous palmate leaf fragments, asymmetrical blade, strong prominent mid-vein, and secondaries running parallel to mid-vein on either side are easily identifiable as palms. This report provides valuable information on the diversification of this plant group in deep time. Furthermore, the current study sheds light on the warm, humid climate that prevailed during the Early Eocene depositional epoch.