Palynological Investigation on Fossil Mangrove Pollen as an Indicator of Environment and Climatic Interpretation

Abstract

The present communication deals with some identified fossil mangrove pollen and their descriptive information derived from the palynological analyses of rock samples collected from different intervals of Mawsynram and its adjoining areas, Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. The mangrove vegetation was represented by some principle genera like Spinizonocolpites, Proxapertites, Palmaepollenites, Palmaedites, Retistephanocolpites, Pelicieroipollis, Talisiipites, Lakiapollis, Tricolpites, Rhoipites. Within this palynological association, some fossil pollen grains show closer affinity with the modem mangrove flora and as a consequence their ecological and environmental set up can be drawn. The dominance of halophytic taxa associated with marine dinoflagellates suggests that the area was frequently inundated by sea water which thrive marine plankton in the catchment.