PTERIDOPHYTES, GYMNOSPERMS AND PALAEOBOTANY

Paper Code: 
25DBOT801
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to –

  • To provide relevant information about Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms along with their evolutionary history, their phylogenetic relationships and fossil wealth of the world and economic importance of selected forms.
  • To impart theoretical as well as practical knowledge on the higher plant forms of taxonomic hierarchy
  • To ascertain the importance of fossilization in order to relate life forms of earlier era

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning Outcome

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course title

25DBOT 801

 

 

PTERIDOPHYTES, GYMNOSPERMS AND PALAEOBOTANY

 

CO96: Demonstrate an understanding of Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Fossils

CO97: Develop critical understanding on morphology, anatomy and reproduction of Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms

CO98: Understanding of plant evolution and their transition to land habitat.

CO99: Demonstrate proficiency in the experimental techniques and methods of appropriate analysis of Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms

CO100: To develop an understanding of various fossilized forms, their techniques of preservation and the geological environment of those times.

CO101: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in teaching: Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration, Team teaching

Learning activities for the student:

Self-learning assignment, Effective questions, Stimulation, Seminar presentation

 

 

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects
 
12.00
Unit I: 
Pteridophytes I
 

General characters, classification, telome theory, stelar system and evolution of stele, apogamy, apospory, origin of seed habit and heterospory.

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Gymnosperm I

Introduction, general characters, classification, evolution of gymnosperms, distribution of gymnosperms in India, affinities of gymnosperms with angiosperms, pteridophytes and pteridosperms and economic importance.

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Pteridophytes II

General characters, classification, structure, economic importance and life history of-

  • Psilopsida: Tmesipteris
  • Lycopsida: Selaginella, Isoetes
  • Sphenopsida: Equisetum
  • Pteropsida: Osmunda, Adiantum                                                                                                                                                                       
12.00
Unit IV: 
Gymnosperm II

General account of gymnosperms with reference to morphology, anatomy and reproduction of the following:

  • Cycadales – Zamia
  • Ginkgoales-Ginkgo,
  • Coniferales - Cedrus, Araucaria
  • Taxales- Taxus
  • Ephedrales – Ephedra
  • Welwitschiales -Welwitschia
  • Gnetales - Gnetum.

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Palaeobotany

Types of fossils, geological time scale. Brief account of the following fossils: Horneophytales (Horneophyton), Psilophytales (Psilophyton) and Zosterophyllales (Zosterophyllum). Pteridospermales: (Lyginopteris); Cycadeoidales: (Cycadeoidea); Cordaitales: (Cordaites) and Pentoxylales: (Pentoxylon). Contribution of Birbal Sahani in Palaeobotany, National Institute of Palaeobotany 

 

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Bhatnagar, S.P., Moitra, A. (1996). Gymnosperms. India: New Age International Limited.
  • Sharma, O. (2012). Pteridophyta. (n.p.): Tata McGraw-Hill.
  • Singh, S.K. (2008). Gymnosperms and Palaeobotany. India: Campus Books International.
  • Biswas, C., Johri, B. (2013). The Gymnosperms. Germany: Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
  • Surange, K.R. (1966). Indian Fossil Pteridophytes. India: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research.
  • Rashid, A. (1999). An Introduction to Pteridophyta: Diversity, Development, Differentiation. India: Vikas Publishing House.
  • Pandey, S.N., Misra, SP., Trivedi, PS. (1972). A Textbook of Botany: Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnosperms and paleobotany. India: Vikas Publishing House.
  • Vashishta, P.C. (2010). Botany for Degree Students Gymnosperms. India: S Chand and Company.
  • Anderson, H.M., Cleal, C.J., Anderson, J.M. (2007). Brief History of the Gymnosperms: Classification, Biodiversity, Phytogeography and Ecology. South Africa: South African National Biodiversity Institute.
  • Chamberlain, C.J. (2018). Gymnosperms: Structure and Evolution (Classic Reprint). United States: Fb&c Limited.
  • Charles J., Chamberlain M; Coulter, J. (2019). Morphology of Gymnosperms. India: Alpha Editions.
  • Sporne, K.R. (2015). The Morphology of Gymnosperms.  (n.p.): Scientific Publishers.
  • Donovan SN. (1991). The Processes of Fossilization. . United Kingdom: Columbia University Press.
  • Lugardon, B., Tryon, AF. (2012). Spores of the Pteridophyta: Surface, Wall Structure, and Diversity Based on Electron Microscope Studies. United States: Springer New York.

 

References: 

e-Resources:

Journals:

  • Cryptogamie, Mycologie, (Museum National d’Historie natuelle, Paris)
  • International Journal of Plant Science (The University of Chicago Press Journals)
  • The Plant Journal (Wiley Online Library)
  • Plant Science (Elsevier)
  • American Journal of Botany (Wiley)

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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