This book recognizes and celebrates the contributions of Professor Ashok Sahni to the field of paleontology. Prof. Sahni established a School of Vertebrate Palaeontology at Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, where he trained many of today’s vertebrate paleontologists of India. The book covers topics on evolutionary patterns, macroevolutionary events, origination and radiation events, changes in physical environments & climate and their implications for biodiversity dynamics, intercontinental affinities and biogeographic connections in a plate tectonic framework.
The book begins by exploring India in the age of the dinosaurs, discussing new fossil remains from the Jurassic Era, then moves through the Cretaceous and Eocene to provide a picture on faunal and floral changes in Gondwanaland in the context of plate tectonics. Furthermore, the book explores the evolutionary patterns and biotic dispersals that resulted from the northward drift of Indian plate during the Cretaceous and its collision with Asia in the Eocene. The respective chapters reveal the role of plate tectonics and climate in shaping the geographical distribution of plants and animals in Gondwana, specifically in India, as well as the post-India/Asia collision implications for biodiversity changes and biogeography in the region’s continental environments. Given its scope, the book will appeal to vertebrate paleontologists, evolutionary biologists, and paleobiogeographers.
Author(s): Guntupalli V.R. Prasad, Rajeev Patnaik
Series: Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 432
City: Cham
Foreword
References
Preface
Contents of the Volume
References (those listed in Prof. Ashok Sahni’s bibliography below are not included here)
Bibliography of Ashok Sahni
Contents
Contributors
1 First Ornithischian and Theropod Dinosaur Teeth from the Middle Jurassic Kota Formation of India: Paleobiogeographic Relationships
Abstract
Introduction
Geological Setting
Age
Methods and Materials
Locality Information
Fossils Collected
Institutional Abbreviations
Systematic Paleontology
Discussion
Biogeographic Links of the Kota Vertebrate Fauna
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
2 Upper Gondwana (Jurassic to Early Cretaceous) Palynoflora of India: Its Correlation with Other Gondwana Continents and Phytogeographical Implications
Abstract
Introduction
Geological Setting and Lithostratigraphy
Jurassic
Early Cretaceous
Palynosequencing of the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous Deposits
Jurassic
Inter-basinal Correlation
Jurassic-Cretaceous Boundary
Early Cretaceous
Inter-basinal Correlation
Tectonics Versus Eustasy
Intra-Gondwanan Correlation
Paleovegetation and Paleoenvironment
Phytogeography
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
3 A Third, Remarkably Small, Tribosphenic Mammal from the Mesozoic of Australia
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Type Locality
Type Horizon, Rock Unit and Age
Institutional Abbreviation
Systematic Paleontology
Discussion and Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
4 Evidence for a Remarkably Large Toothed-Monotreme from the Early Cretaceous of Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia
Abstract
Introduction
Institutional Abbreviations
Systematic Paleontology
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
5 Role of Plate Tectonics and Global Climate Change in the Evolution of Angiosperms
Abstract
Introduction
Palynological Records
Pre-cretaceous Records
Early Cretaceous Records
Late Cretaceous Records
Discussion
Evolution of Angiosperm
Angiosperm Evolution versus Tectonics
Paleobotanical Records of Angiosperm Evolution
Future Prospects
Acknowledgements
References
6 Anuran Lissamphibian and Squamate Reptiles from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Deccan Intertrappean Sites in Central India, with a Review of Lissamphibian and Squamate Diversity in the Northward Drifting Indian Plate
Abstract
Introduction
Repository
Systematic Paleontology
Taxonomic Status of Amphibians and Squamates from the Maastrichtian of India: An Overview
Amphibians
Squamates
Comparison with the Anuran and Squamate Diversities in Other Continents
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
7 Chelonian Pelomedusoides Remains from the Late Cretaceous of Upparhatti (Southwestern India): Systematics and Paleobiogeographical Implications
Abstract
Introduction
Geology
Turtle Yielding Cretaceous Localities of India
Southwestern India
Upparhatti, Belgaum District, Karnataka State (Fig. 7.1G)
Western India
Worli Hill (Fig. 7.1C)
Amboli (Fig. 7.1B)
Lakshmipur, Kachchh, Gujarat State (Fig. 7.1A)
Central India
Kisalpuri, Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh State (Fig. 7.1D)
Pisdura Area, Chandrapur District, Maharashtra State (Fig. 7.1F).
Dongargaon, Chandrapur District, Maharashtra State (Fig. 7.1F)
Southeastern India
Kunnam Locality, Perambalur District., Tamil Nadu State (Fig. 7.1H)
Kallamedu Locality
Material and Methods
Abbreviations
Systematic Paleontology
Discussion
Conclusion
Taxonomic Implications
Paleobiogeographical Implications
Acknowledgements
Appendix: Other Horizons of the Indian Subcontinent (Outside India) from Which a Pleurodiran was Documented
References
8 The Age of Dinosaurs in the Land of Gonds
Abstract
Introduction
Dinosaurs in Gondwana and Post-Gondwana Formations
Dawn: The Beginnings of Dinosaurs in the Late Triassic
Discovery of Indian Dinosaurs
Lower Maleri Formation (Late Carnian-Early Norian)
Upper Maleri Formation (Late Norian)
Lower Dharmaram Formation (Rhaetian)
End-Triassic Mass Extinction Event
Day: Triumph of the Dinosaurs in the Jurassic
Upper Dharmaram Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian)
Lower Kota Formation (Sinemurian-Toarcian)
Upper Kota Formation
Upper Jurassic Bagra Formation
Origin and Early Evolution of Sauropodomorpha
Evening: Dinosaurs in the Drifting Indian Plate During the Cretaceous
Nimar Sandstone (Cenomanian-Turonian)
Lameta Formation (Maastrichtian)
A Passage to India: Discovery of Cretaceous Dinosaurs
The Lameta Dinosaurs
Titanosaurs
Abelisaurs
Ankylosaurs
Kallamedu Formation
Dinosaur Eggs and Babies
Dinosaur Coprolites and Food Preference
Night: Death of the Dinosaurs
Asteroid Impacts
Chicxulub Crater, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Shiva Crater, Mumbai Offshore Basin, India
Killing Mechanism
Deccan Volcanism
Impact-Induced Volcanism
Aftermath of the K-Pg Extinction
Acknowledgements
References
9 Leaving Gondwana: The Changing Position of the Indian Subcontinent in the Global Faunal Network
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Faunal Similarity Networks
Global Patterns
Data Collection
Results and Discussion
The Late Cretaceous of the Indian Subcontinent
The Paleocene of the Indian Subcontinent
The Eocene of the Indian Subcontinent
Global Faunal Network of the Cretaceous and Paleogene
Density, Centrality, and Modularity
A Theoretical Paleocene Fauna from the Indian Subcontinent
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Appendix 1: Data and Bins
Appendix 2: Faunal Network Function
References
10 Island Africa and Vertebrate Evolution: A Review of Data and Working Hypotheses
Abstract
Introduction
The Native African Fauna (Fig. 10.2)
The Fauna of the Island Africa
The Fate of the Native Fauna (Fig. 10.2)
The Island Africa: an Underpopulated Biotic Province?
Colonization of Island Africa by Newcomers (Figs. 10.4, 10.5)
Africa as a Secondary Cradle
The End of Isolation of Africa
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
11 Contrasting Biomarker Signatures of Cretaceous and Early Paleogene Coal-Bearing Sediments During the Northward Flight of India
Abstract
Introduction
Material and Methods
Sampling
Analytical Method
Results
Terpenoid Composition of Early Cretaceous Sediments
Aliphatic Fraction
Aromatic Fraction
Terpenoid Composition of Eocene Sediments
Aliphatic Fraction
Aromatic Fraction
Discussion
Inferences from Early Cretaceous Terpenoids
Inferences from Eocene Terpenoids
Implications for Early Cretaceous and Eocene Vegetation of India
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
12 New Specimens of Frugivastodon (Mammalia: Apatotheria) from the Early Eocene of India Confirm Its Apatemyid Status and Elucidate Dispersal of Apatemyidae
Abstract
Introduction
Material and Methods
Abbreviations
Institutional Abbreviations
Measurements
Systematic Paleontology
Phylogenetic Analysis
Objectives and Methodology
Results
Discussion
Discussion
Relationships of Frugivastodon
Geographic Origin of Frugivastodon and the Dispersal of Apatemyids
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
13 Size Variation Amongst the Non-volant Mammals from the Early Eocene Cambay Shale Deposits of Western India: Paleobiogeographic implications
Abstract
Introduction
Methodology
Timing of India-Eurasia Collision
A Brief Historical Background of Biogeographically Important Vertebrate Fossil Record (Including Mammals) from the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) Interval of India
Age of the Cambay Shale Mammals
Size Variation Amongst the Non-volant Mammalian Groups Known from the Cambay Shale
Evolutionary Relationship(s) of the Large-Sized Component (Perissodactyls) from the Cambay Shale
Discussion
Caveats
Acknowledgements
Appendix
References
14 Indohyus, Endemic Radiation of Raoellid Artiodactyls in the Eocene of India and Pakistan
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Acronyms
Systematic Paleontology
Discussion
References
15 The Murine Cradle
Abstract
Introduction
Previous Work
Materials and Methods
Systematics
Great Morphological Variation of Early Murines
Early Murine Evolution in the Semi-isolated Cradle of the Indian Subcontinent
Interpretation
Acknowledgments
References
16 New Data on the Siwalik Murines, Rhizomyines and Ctenodactylines (Rodentia) from the Indian Subcontinent
Abstract
Introduction
Previous Work
Muridae
Spalacidae
Ctenodactylidae
Material and Methods
Systematics
Phylogenetic Analyses
Characters
Spalacids
Characters
Paleobiogeography
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
17 Dispersal of Miocene Hominoids (and Pliopithecoids) from Africa to Eurasia in Light of Changing Tectonics and Climate
Abstract
Introduction
Hominoid Systematics
The First Eurasian Apes: Early Catarrhine Dispersals Out of Africa in the Miocene
How Many Transcontinental Ape Dispersal Events Occurred and Between Which Continents? Biogeographic Links to Phylogeny, Tectonics, and Climate
Late Miocene Eurasian Extinction and its Relationship to Tectonics and Climate
Summary and Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Appendix
References
