Rajesh R. Dahegaonkar, Sanjay W. Patil and Aakash A. Kohapare
Abstract
This paper provides a comprehensive description of a newly identified genus of petrified fruit from the Deccan Intertrappean beds located at Pudiyal Mohada, Tahsil Jiwati, District Chandrapur, Maharashtra, India. The described fruit is a dicotyledonous, elongated, trilocular, and capsular type. Its external surface is smooth, and each locule contains a single row of numerous seeds arranged in an orderly manner. The seeds exhibit a rough, verrucate texture and are stacked like thick coins, showcasing a distinctive structural arrangement. Seeds are with ventral invagination of seedcoat and curved embryo. The fruit exhibits a protruding dorsal vascular bundle running along the entire length of the carpel, with axile placentation. Upon thorough comparison and discussion, it is evident that the fossilized fruit under investigation does not resemble any previously described fossil or living capsular fruits. The genus is named Kapgatecarpon in the honour of the renowned paleobotanist Dr. D.K. Kapgate, while the specific epithet chandrapurensis acknowledges Chandrapur, the locality where the specimen was discovered.