Fig leaf from the Middle Siwalik sediments of eastern Nepal with implication on biogeography and palaeoclimate

Abstract

The Siwalik flora is important in understanding the orogeny of the Himalayas and the resulting climate change. Though the fossil records from the eastern Himalayan Siwalik of Nepal are sparse, we report a fossil leaf impression/ compression of Ficus precunea Lakhanpal from the Middle Siwalik (upper Miocene–lower Pliocene) sediments of eastern Nepal. The characteristic leaf venation pattern and morphological details suggest its strong affinity with the extant species of F. semicordata Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. The fossil assemblage indicates the presence of seasonal forests during the depositional period in the region.