Fossil record of marine manglicolous fungi from Malvan (Konkan) west coast of India

Abstract

The pneumatophore bearing lignites of Kolamb in Malvan (Maharashtra, west coast of India) have yielded a rich mycoflora of higher marine fungi. Out of a dozen hypomycetes known from the submerged parts of mangrove plants, more than 8 species have been retrieved from the lignite deposits, and as such indicate the potential for a mangrove association within the fossil deposits. Of the five marine species of genus Cirrenalia Meyers & Moore, four are associated with the pneumatophore bearing lignites of Kolamb. Monodictys pelagica (Johnson) Jones and Periconia prolifica Anastasiou are other hypomycetes recorded in the palynological preparations. As the morphological details and size of the conidia have striking resemblance to modern taxa, the fossils have been referred to corresponding taxa described from the mangrove habitats of the tropics. Thus, the fossil record of this mycoflora is of great significance and considerable importance, since it indicates fossil mangrove habitat, and as such complements the micro and megafossil data associated with the lignite deposit. Such evidence is important to infer palaeobiogeography and sea level along the west coast of India during the Late Tertiary (Neogene).