K. Milankumar Sharma
Central University of Punjab
Title: Micro and Mega-vertebrate fossils from the Late Triassic Tiki Formation, South Rewa Gondwana Basin, India: Implication on global palaeobiogeography of the Pangea
Biography
Biography: K. Milankumar Sharma
Abstract
The predominently red bed sequence of Tiki Formation, representing a significant lithostratigraphic unit of the South Rewa Gondwana Basin of India, is well known for its vertebrate fossils assemblage of Late Triassic age. The present palaeontological investigation from the study area could record certain additional micro and mega vertebrates remains comprising of vertebrae, palatine teeth, osteoderms, isolated tooth, maxillary dental plates of Phytosaurid reptile (Parasuchus hislopi); vertebrae, maxillary dental plates of Rhyncosaurid reptilian (Tikisuchus romeri); vertebrae; isolated tooth of Ornithischian dinosaur; Jaw of sphanodontid reptile, Dromatherid Cynodont and mammalian teeth Cynodon sp.; teeth, scales and clavicles of piscean remains including those of Actinopterigian fish, Hybodont shark teeth including Lissodus duffini, Parvodus tikiensis, several broken and complete isolated teeth of Xenacanthus sp., Ceratodus sp., semionid fish. The vertebrate faunal assemblage of Tiki Formation is correlated with coeval Maleri Formation of the Prahnita-Godavari basin. The records of phytosaur osteoderms, teeth, vertebrae, jaw associated with other fossil remains of mollusc, fresh water selachian, rhynchosaur, metoposaurid, rauisuchid and cynodonts suggest the presence of higher level ecosystem which were directly or indirectly dependent on each other. The micro and megavertebrate remains of the Late Triassic Tiki Formation of India are correlatable with the equivalent deposits from certain parts of the globe. The present study gives the global palaeobiogeographic scenario of Late Triassic time which is well supported by closely correlatable Late Triassic taxa in different continents which might have served a relatively rapid intercontinent passage of the vertebrate community extending across the ancient Supercontinent, Pangea.