Ghoshiasporites manjuae sp. nov., a new varimonolete spore from the upper Permian Raniganj Formation of the Damodar Basin, India

Abstract A monolete spore from the upper Permian Raniganj Formation strata of the Madhukunda area in the Damodar Basin is described as Ghoshiasporites manjuae sp. nov. It is laevigate proximally but has a variable densely apiculate ornamentation distally, prompting its classification in the Subinfraturma Varimonoleti and Infraturma Sculptatomonoleti. The diagnostic features of the new species include a characteristic labrum associated with the monolete aperture and the presence of four types of densely placed projections on the distal surface: coni, spines, bacula and clavae. These states clearly distinguish Ghoshiasporites manjuae from Ghoshiasporites didecus, the only other varimonolete spore previously recorded from the Permian strata of India. Ashalata D’Rozario [ ashalatandc@gmail.com ], Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India; Ahinsuk Barua [ dr.ahinsukbarua@gmail.com ], South Calcutta Girls’ College, 72, Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata 700 025, India; Subir Bera [ berasubir@yahoo.co.in ], Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India.