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Validation of Names of Fossil Fungi from Tertiary Sediments of India
R. K. Saxena
Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007, India
rksaxena2207@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT. The names of 14 species of fossil fungi R. Rao, were described by Rao (2003) from the
are validated, two recognized by Kar, one by Rao, and Sindhudurg Formation (Miocene) of Maharashtra,
11 by Nandi et al. The repositories of their holotypes western India. Further, Nandi et al. (2003) recorded
were not specified by the original describing authors, several species of Hypoxylonites Elsik (1990) and
and this validating information is provided herein. All Spirotremesporites Duenas-Jimenez
˜(1979) from the
names and their validating descriptions/diagnoses are Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments of northeastern
ascribed to their original authors. These new species India. Of these, six species of Hypoxylonites and five
names are: Diporisporites giganticus R. K. Kar, species of Spirotremesporites were described as new
Hypoxylonites bhubanensis B. Nandi & S. Banerjee, but were not validly published.
H. elsikii B. Nandi & S. Banerjee, H. minimus B. All of the above-mentioned species are based on
Nandi & S. Banerjee, H. neogenicus B. Nandi & S. sound morphological features and are well recogniz-
Banerjee, H. subrotundus B. Nandi & S. Banerjee, H. able. This is evident because their original authors
thindii B. Nandi & A. Sinha, Kalviwadithyrites compared these species with other species of the
saxenae M. R. Rao, Lirasporis elongatus R. K. Kar, respective genus and demonstrated that each of the
Spirotremesporites ellipticus B. Nandi & S. Banerjee, proposed species was different from them. These
S. longiletus B. Nandi & S. Banerjee, S. miocenicus B. fossil fungal names are validly published below and
Nandi & S. Banerjee, S. reniformis B. Nandi & S. in each case are ascribed to the original author(s),
Banerjee, and S. tertiarus B. Nandi, S. Banerjee & A. with a full and direct reference to the previously and
Sinha. The genus name Kalviwadithyrites M. R. Rao effectively published descriptions/diagnoses and
is also here validated, together with the name of its illustrations as provided by the same original
single species, K. saxenae M. R. Rao. The species author(s). The holotype of each species name, as
mentioned above belong to Xylariaceae, Microthyr- designated by the original author(s), along with its
iaceae, and Fungi Imperfecti (Amerosporae and repository, is also cited. The slides of Kar (1990) and
Dictyosporae). Rao (2003) are stored in the museum of the Birbal
Key words: Diporisporites, Fungi Imperfecti, Hy- Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, in Lucknow, India.
poxylonites, India, Kalviwadithyrites,Lirasporis, Mi- Bharati Nandi (pers. comm.) informed the author that
crothyriaceae, Spirotremesporites, Xylariaceae. her slides containing holotypes are stored in the
Pteridology and Palynology Laboratory, Department
Encountering dispersed fungal fruiting bodies, of Botany, Kalyani University, Kalyani, India.
spores, and mycelia is a common aspect of
palynological investigations. Records of fossil fungi I. Diporisporites Hammen (Fungi Imperfecti, Amero-
from the Indian Tertiary sediments have been sporae).
published in the form of two catalogues (Saxena,
1991, 2006). During the preparation of the latter The diagnostic characters of Diporisporites are as
catalogue (Saxena, 2006), the author noticed the follows: shape generally elongate, diporate, pores on
names of one genus and 14 species of fossil fungi opposite ends.
(belonging to Xylariaceae, Microthyriaceae, and
Fungi Imperfecti) that were not validly published, 1. Diporisporites giganticus R. K. Kar, sp. nov.
because the authors of these names did not specify Validating diagnosis and illustrations in R. K.
the single herbarium or collection or institution in Kar, J. Palynol. 26: 196, pl. 8, figs. 114, 115.
which the types were conserved (cf. ICBN, Art. 37.7, 1990. India. NE India, Tripura, subsurface
McNeill et al., 2006). Two of these species were Miocene sediment (holotype, designated by
described by Kar (1990) from the subsurface Miocene Kar [1990: pl. 8, fig. 114], based on slide no.
and Mio-Pliocene sediments of Tripura in northeast- 9681/1/9, Q44/3, deposited at Museum, Birbal
ern India. The one fungal genus, viz. Kalviwadithy- Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow,
rites M. R. Rao, and its proposed type, K. saxenae M. India).
doi: 10.3417/2009095 NOVON 22: 223–226. PUBLISHED ON 30 NOVEMBER 2012.
224 Novon
II. Hypoxylonites Elsik (Xylariaceae). 5. Hypoxylonites subrotundus B. Nandi & S.
Banerjee, sp. nov. Validating description and
The diagnostic characters of Hypoxylonites are as illustration in Nandi et al., Acta Palaeontol. Sin.
follows: oval to elongate, bilateral, psilate, with 42(1): 60, pl. I, fig. 19, text fig. 3, 4. 2003.
elongate scar, slit or furrow. TYPE: India. NE India, Mizoram, Renkte
Kawn–Sherlui Rd., Late Tertiary sediment
1. Hypoxylonites bhubanensis B. Nandi & S. (holotype, designated by Nandi et al. [2003:
Banerjee, sp. nov. Validating description and pl. I, fig. 19], based on slide no. RKSL 50/V,
illustrations in Nandi et al., Acta Palaeontol. coordinates 101.8/53.6, deposited at Pteridology
Sin. 42(1): 58, pl. I, figs. 1, 2, text fig. 3, 1. & Palynology Laboratory, Department of Botany,
2003. TYPE: India. NE India, Mizoram, Renkte Kalyani University, Kalyani, India).
Kawn–Sherlui Rd., Late Tertiary sediment
(holotype, designated by Nandi et al. [2003:
6. Hypoxylonites thindii B. Nandi & A. Sinha, sp.
pl. I, fig. 2], based on slide no. RKSL 50/IV, nov. Validating description and illustrations in
coordinates 107.5/72.3, Pteridology & Palynol- Nandi et al., Acta Palaeontol. Sin. 42(1): 60, pl.
ogy Laboratory, Department of Botany, Kalyani II, figs. 3, 14, 15, text fig. 3, 6. 2003. TYPE:
University, Kalyani, India). India. NE India, Mizoram, Renkte Kawn–
Sherlui Rd., Late Tertiary sediment (holotype,
2. Hypoxylonites elsikii B. Nandi & S. Banerjee, sp. designated by Nandi et al. [2003: pl. II, fig. 3],
nov. Validating description and illustrations in based on slide no. RKSL 50/IV, coordinates
Nandi et al., Acta Palaeontol. Sin. 42(1): 58, pl. 97.5/57.2, deposited at Pteridology & Palynol-
I, figs. 5, 9, 16, 17, text fig. 3, 3. 2003. TYPE: ogy Laboratory, Department of Botany, Kalyani
India. NE India, Mizoram, Renkte Kawn– University, Kalyani, India).
Sherlui Rd., Late Tertiary sediment (holotype,
designated by Nandi et al. [2003: pl. I, fig. 16], III. Kalviwadithyrites M. R. Rao (Microthyriaceae).
based on slide no. RKSL 50/IV, coordinates
105.3/14.0, deposited at Pteridology & Palynol- The diagnostic characters of Kalviwadithyrites are
ogy Laboratory, Department of Botany, Kalyani as follows: cleistothecium subcircular to circular in
University, Kalyani, India). shape, dimidiate, non-ostiolate. Two types of cells
present, pores absent. No hyphae present. Marginal
cells rectangular to polygonal in shape, larger in size,
3. Hypoxylonites minimus B. Nandi & S. Banerjee, covering outer part; central cells’ thickness 2- or 3-
sp. nov. Validating description and illustrations layered, squarish and isodiametric.
in Nandi et al., Acta Palaeontol. Sin. 42(1): 59, Rao (2003) compared Kalviwadithyrites with
pl. I, figs. 12, 21, text fig. 3, 5. 2003. TYPE: Phragmothyrites Edwards, Microthyriacites Cookson,
India. NE India, Mizoram, Renkte Kawn– Parmathyrites Jain & Gupta, Siwalikiathyrites Saxena
Sherlui Rd., Late Tertiary sediment (holotype, & Singh, and Ratnagiriathyrites Saxena & Misra, and
designated by Nandi et al. [2003: pl. I, fig. 12], demonstrated that Kalviwadithyrites can be differen-
based on slide no. RKSL 50/IV, coordinates tiated from the other genera in having two types of
96.4/62.7, deposited at Pteridology & Palynol- nonporate cells.
ogy Laboratory, Department of Botany, Kalyani
University, Kalyani, India). Kalviwadithyrites M. R. Rao, gen. nov.
Validating diagnosis in Rao, Palaeobotanist 52(1–
4. Hypoxylonites neogenicus B. Nandi & S. Baner- 3): 118. 2003. TYPE: Kalviwadithyrites saxenae M.
jee, sp. nov. Validating description and illustra- R. Rao, sp. nov., monotypic.
tions in Nandi et al., Acta Palaeontol. Sin. 42(1): The generic name Kalviwadithyrites M. R. Rao was
59–60, pl. I, figs. 13, 14, text fig. 3, 2. 2003. not validly published because the species name
TYPE:India.NEIndia,Mizoram,Renkte indicating its type was not validly published (McNeill
Kawn–Sherlui Rd., Late Tertiary sediment et al., 2006: Art. 10.1 and 37.7). The type, K.
(holotype, designated by Nandi et al. [2003: saxenae, is validated by providing the missing
pl. I, fig. 14], based on slide no. RKSL 50/V, information on the repository of the holotype.
coordinates 101.8/53.6, deposited at Pteridology
& Palynology Laboratory, Department of Botany, 1. Kalviwadithyrites saxenae M. R. Rao, gen. et sp.
Kalyani University, Kalyani, India). nov.
Volume 22, Number 2 Saxena 225
2012 Validation of Fossil Fungi from India
Validating description and illustrations in Rao, Mizoram, Renkte Kawn–Sherlui Rd., Late
Palaeobotanist 52(1–3): 118, pl. 1.1–1.3, fig. 2. Tertiary sediment (holotype, designated by
2003. TYPE: India. Maharashtra: Sindhudurg For- Nandi et al. [2003: pl. II, fig. 10], based on
mation, Miocene sediment (holotype, designated by slide no. RKSL 50/V, coordinates 100.4/25.8,
Rao [2003: pl. 1.1], based on slide no. BSIP 12689, deposited at Pteridology & Palynology Labora-
deposited at Museum, Birbal Sahni Institute of tory, Department of Botany, Kalyani University,
Palaeobotany, Lucknow, India). Kalyani, India).
IV. Lirasporis R. Potonie
´& Sah (Fungi Imperfecti, 3. Spirotremesporites miocenicus B. Nandi & S.
Dictyosporae). Banerjee, sp. nov. Validating description and
The diagnostic characters of Lirasporis are as illustrations in Nandi et al., Acta Palaeontol.
follows: fungal bodies oval-elliptical with equal or Sin. 42(1): 61, pl. II, figs. 8, 13. 2003. TYPE:
unequal, broad, generally notched ends. Mycelia, India. NE India, Mizoram, Renkte Kawn–
long, septate, 6parallel to one another, extending Sherlui Rd., Late Tertiary sediment (holotype,
from one end to the other; wall generally laevigate, designated by Nandi et al. [2003: pl. II, fig. 8],
sometimes granulose. based on slide no. RKSL 50/IV, coordinates
111.5/17.4, deposited at Pteridology & Palynol-
1. Lirasporis elongatus R. K. Kar, sp. nov. ogy Laboratory, Department of Botany, Kalyani
Validating diagnosis and illustrations in Kar, J. University, Kalyani, India).
Palynol. 26: 196, pl. 8, figs. 116, 117. 1990.
TYPE:India.NEIndia,Tripura,Rokhia 4. Spirotremesporites reniformis B. Nandi & S.
borehole, subsurface Miocene sediment (holo- Banerjee, sp. nov. Validating description and
type, designated by Kar [1990: pl. 8, fig. 117], illustrations in Nandi et al., Acta Palaeontol.
based on slide no. 9684/4/3, R41/3, deposited at Sin. 42(1): 61–62, pl. II, figs. 4, 6, text fig. 3, 9.
Museum, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 2003. TYPE: India. NE India, Mizoram, Renkte
Lucknow, India). Kawn–Sherlui Rd., Late Tertiary sediment
(holotype, designated by Nandi et al. [2003:
V. Spirotremesporites Duena
˜s-Jimenez (Xylaria- pl. II, fig. 4], based on slide no. RKSL 50/IV,
ceae). coordinates 110.5/72.5, deposited at Pteridology
& Palynology Laboratory, Department of Botany,
The diagnostic characters of Spirotremesporites are Kalyani University, Kalyani, India).
as follows: psilate, aseptate, elongate elliptical to
oval, aperture in the form of a single furrow at an
angle to the axis of the spore, straight or curved to S- 5. Spirotremesporites tertiarus B. Nandi, S. Baner-
jee & A. Sinha, sp. nov. Validating description
shaped or sigmoidal in outline, or spiral around the and illustrations in Nandi et al., Acta Palae-
spore axis. ontol. Sin. 42(1): 62, pl. II, figs. 5, 18, text fig. 3,
1. Spirotremesporites ellipticus B. Nandi & S. 10. 2003. TYPE: India. NE India, Mizoram,
Banerjee, sp. nov. Validating description and Renkte Kawn–Sherlui Rd., Late Tertiary sedi-
illustration in Nandi et al., Acta Palaeontol. Sin. ment (holotype, designated by Nandi et al.
42(1): 60, pl. II, fig. 9, text fig. 3, 8. 2003. [2003: pl. II, fig. 5], slide no. RKSK 50/IV,
TYPE:India.NEIndia,Mizoram,Renkte coordinates 108.3/58.6, deposited at Pteridology
Kawn–Sherlui Rd., Late Tertiary sediment & Palynology Laboratory, Department of Botany,
(holotype, designated by Nandi et al. [2003: Kalyani University, Kalyani, India).
pl. II, fig. 9], based on slide no. RKSL 50/I, Nandi et al. (2003: 60) placed her species
coordinates 104.5/61.6, deposited at Pteridology described for Spirotremesporites under ‘‘Spirotremes-
& Palynology Laboratory, Department of Botany, porites Elsik,’’ whereas the genus was effectively and
Kalyani University, Kalyani, India). validly published by Duenas-Jimenez
˜(1979). Elsik
(1990) later emended the generic diagnosis to include
2. Spirotremesporites longiletus B. Nandi & S. spores having only a single furrow in contrast to the
Banerjee, sp. nov. Validating description and original diagnosis where spores possessing one or
illustrations in Nandi et al., Acta Palaeontol. several spiraling furrows were included. Therefore,
Sin. 42(1): 60 & 61, pl. II, figs. 10, 11, 17, text the citation of Elsik (1990) as attributed to
fig. 3, 7. 2003. TYPE: India. NE India, Spirotremesporites (and also of its type: S. simplex
226 Novon
Duenas-Jimenez,
˜1979) by Nandi et al. (2003) is an bearing a single furrow. Palaeontographica, Abt. B,
inadvertent error of citation and her species, Pala
¨ophytol. 216: 137–169.
validated above, were originally published as Spiro- Kar, R. K. 1990. Palynology of Miocene and Mio-Pliocene
sediments of north-east India. J. Palynol. 26: 171–217.
tremesporites Duenas-Jimenez
˜(1979). McNeill, J., F. R. Barrie, H. M. Burdet, V. Demoulin, D. L.
Acknowledgments. The author is grateful to the Hawksworth, K. Marhold, D. H. Nicolson, J. Prado, P. C.
Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Silva, J. E. Skog, J. H. Wiersema & N. J. Turland
Lucknow, India, for permission to publish the paper. (editors). 2006. International Code of Botanical Nomen-
Thanks are also due to Bharati Nandi of the clature (Vienna Code). Regnum Veg. 146.
Nandi, B., S. Banerjee & A. Sinha. 2003. Fossil Xylariaceae
Department of Botany, Kalyani University, Kalyani, spores from the Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments of
India, for providing information regarding the north-eastern India. Acta Palaeontol. Sin. 42(1): 56–67.
repository of holotype slides for those species Rao, M. R. 2003. Kalviwadithyrites, a new fungal fruiting
published by her. body from Sindhudurg Formation (Miocene) of Maha-
rashtra, India. Palaeobotanist 52(1–3): 117–119.
Literature Cited Saxena, R. K. 1991. A Catalogue of Fossil Plants from
India. Part 5B. Tertiary Fungi. Birbal Sahni Institute of
Duenas-Jim
˜enez, H. 1979. Estudio palinolo
´gico de los 35 Palaeobotany, Lucknow.
mts. superiores de la seccio
´nTarragona, Sabana de
Bogota
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Elsik, W. C. 1990. Hypoxylonites and Spirotremesporites,India (1989–2005). Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeo-
form genera for Eocene to Pleistocene fungal spores botany, Lucknow.