First record of palynofossils from the Fulra Limestone Formation (Middle Eocene) of Kachchh basin, Gujarat and their palaeoenvironmental implications

The present paper deals with the first record of a palynofloral assemblage recovered from the Fulra Limestone Formation exposed at the confluence of Fulra and Panandhro Nalas in the west of Babia hill, Kachchh basin, Gujarat. The recovered palynoflora consists of dinoflagellate cysts, fungal spores and ascostromata, pteridophyte spores, gymnosperm and angiosperm pollen. Some of the important constituents of the palynofloral assemblage are: Lygodiumsporites, Polypodiaceasporites, Polypodiisporites, Margocolporites, Tricolporopilites, Tricolporopollis, Graminidites, Aplanosporites, Phragmothyrites, Spiniferites, Operculodinium and Achomosphaera. Palynological data suggest that the Fulra Limestone Formation was mostly laid down in a shallow marine environment under a warm and humid tropical climate. Abundance of terrestrial palynofossils in some of the samples clearly points towards the relative proximity of the shore. A late middle Eocene age has been assigned for the Fulra Limestone Formation on the basis of recorded palynofossils.