Diversity of Invertebrate Fossils in Pakistan
Diversity of Invertebrate Fossils in Pakistan
Syed Iftikhar Hussain Jafri
Flat No. C-5, Commercial-1, Gulshan e Shamim, Karachi
ABSTRACT
Occurrence of various invertebrate fossils groups is quite variable. Largest group was that of Gastropods (22%), Bivalves were (17%), Echinoderms were (15%), Corals (13%), Cephalopods (Nautiloids, Belminites, Ammonites) were (13%), Brachiopods (10%), Crustaceans and Foraminiferons were (5%) each. Fossils studied presently belong to 8 classes, 52 orders and 88 families. 136 genera are reported here from various provinces of Pakistan. 35% of these are from Sindh; 27% from KPK (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa); 21% from Balochistan and 17% from Punjab.
Article Information
The article was presented in 42nd Pakistan Congress of Zoology (International) held on 23-25th April 2024, organized by University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan.
Key words
Diversity, Fossils, Invertebrates, Pakistan
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/ppcz/42.107.123
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
1013-3461/2024/0107 $ 9.00/0
Copyright 2024 by the authors. Licensee Zoological Society of Pakistan.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Introduction
Few isolated publications are available on invertebrate fossil fauna of Pakistan. Costello (1860) published the 1st report on rock types in the mountain ranges of Bannu Area in KPK. He recognized some Brachiobods and Molluscs. Some Tertiary crabs were reported from Sindh and Kutch, India (Stoliczka, 1871). Another early report on invertebrate fossil of Dera Bugti Area of Balochistan was published by Blandford (1883).
Siddiqui (1971) recorded some Ostracods from Pakistan. In a detailed study of Bannu and DI Khan Area (KPK), Grant (1968) discussed the occurrence of brachiobods, ammonitas, bivalves, gastrobods and crrinoids of triassic, jurassic and cretaceous age. Sillurain nummilites were reported from Drazinda formation in KPK (Ozycan et al., 2019). Nizami (2019) described the faunal assemblage of Jurassic age from Chichali gorge, salt range in Punjab. Fossils included forminiferans, gastrobods, bivalves, bryozons, brachiobods, echinoids, sponges and corals. Paleozoic and cenozoic bivalves were recorded from Dhok Pathan formation (District Chakwal), Punjab by Farooqui et al. (2018). Fiest et al. (2001), reported a new species of Trilobite Newcolmonia chitralensis from Chitral, KPK.
Siddiqui et al. (2009) recorded 4 species of Ammonites from Raskoh area of Balochistan. Similarly, 3 genera of Tertiary Nautiloids were reported from Katch area, Western India (Halder, 2012). Iqbal (1972) studied Gastropods fauna from Jhriak-Lakhra-Bara Nai (Sindh), Salt range, Punjab and Samana Suke range in KPK.
The area where collision of two tectonic plates (Indian and Eurasian) occurred, lies in Nagar state in Gilgit Baltistan. Pakistan geologically overlaps Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Sindh and Punjab provinces are located in north-western corner of Indian plate. Balochistan and KPK are within the Eurasian plate which is a part of Iranian plateau. The Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir lie mainly in central Asia along the edge of Indian plate. Pakistan belongs to eastern part of Gondwanaland while western part constitutes rest of the Indo-Pak plate (Wong et al., 2012). In Paleozoic age a type of platform developed which was known as Indian shield. In the north it forms the Hiamalayan foredeep and Penensular region. Early Eocene is exposed in Sakesar limestone of Nummal gorge in central salt range of Punjab. 9 genera of Foraminiferans were identified from this area (Ghazi et al., 2010).
Malkani (2011) discussed the general geology of Balochistan province. The rocks consists of Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic deposits. Sulaiman and Kirthar Basins consist of Triassic to recent strata. Punjab province includes Tertiary and Mesozoic rocks. These are sedimentary in nature while Quarterny age rocks are also present. That saline series of salt range is located in northern Punjab and KPK. These deposits have been estimated to be of Pre-Cambrian age (Fig. 2). This area contains abundant micro-fossils in salt marle. Drazinda Formation located near Drazinda town (District D.I. Khan) in KPK province, which is in fact part of Sulaiman range, forms a lobate in this area (Powell, 1979; Kazmi and Rana, 1982). The lobe is widest at this point. The Sulaiman fold belt continues into Baluchistan and Sindh provinces up to Makran and Karachi coast.
Indian subcontinent collided with Eurasian plate about 55-60 million years ago during Paliocene age at closure of Tethys Sea. Since then, this subcontinent has witnessed three district cycles of flooding and receding of sea level (Gingerich et al 1979). Paleogeographic information on Cretaceous-Paliocene sequence of rocks in this area was reported earlier (Davies, 1939; Pinfold, 1937). Pleistocene sedimentary rocks are also found in the foot hills of Sulaiman range (Kazmi and Rana, 1982; Hamayun, 1990). Blanford (1879) coined the term ‘Kirthar Formation’ to describe the range in Balochistan and Sindh. Later, the stratigraphy of lower Indus basin. Drazinda shale of Kirthar range consists of gray clay stone and marle beds at lower level and are highly fossiliferous. The upper level consists of limestone deposit which contains abundant Foraminifera, Bivalves and Echinoids (Hemphil and Kidwai, 1973) reported some Shark teeth, Nummelites as well as some Mammalian remains of Oligocene age in the foot hills of Dera Bugti area of Balochistan.
A small group of low hills extend from Khairpur to Rohri in north-south direction in the province of Sindh. These hills are located on the right bank of river Indus and in fact are the eastern most limit of Kirthar range foot hills remanants. These hills mainly consist of stratified limestone which arises in fluvial plan of river Indus (Fig. 2). These are part of Brahui formation which extends up to Hyderabad, Thatta and Karachi districts (Blandford, 1879; Hunting Survey Corporation, 1960). In Indus basin area of Sindh, two flooding cycles in sea level have been recognized (Wakefield and Montil, 2002). These rocks are considered to be deposits of Eocene and Oligocene age and are highly fossiliferous. Soil profile studies at various points in these hills indicated presence of Calcite, gypsum, quartz granules and red clay deposits (Fig. 3). Limestone deposits have incursion of flint nodules on the surface as well (Biagi and Crumachi, 1988). Palynological (Fredsiekson, 1994) and sedimentation studies indicate a shallow marine paleoenvironment in Indus plain area of Sindh (Mohan, 1982; Usmani, 1983; Usmani et al. 2008; Wakefield and Monteil, 2002) during tertiary period.
Materials and Methods
The fossils specimens were collected from various places in Pakistan. Drazinda range in KPK yielded a considerable number consisting of many groups of invertebrates. Similarly, fossils are also collected from Khairpur Hills, Hyderabad and Jamshoro Area of Sindh Province. Some fossils are obtained from Dera Bugti and Khuzdar in Balochistan (Fig. 1). Due to paucity of published information on taxonomy of fossils groups, the present specimen has been identified up to generic level.
Systematic paleontology
Phylum Protozoa
Class Rhizaria
Order Foraminifera
Family Nummulitdae
1. Genus Nummulites
Age: Eocene, about 40 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK and Dera Bugti,
Balochistan.
2. Genus Discocyclina
Age: Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Sindh.
Order Fusulinida
Family Fusulinidae
3. Genus Astrorhizona
4. Genus Fusilia
Age: Permian, about 240 million years old.
Locality: Karachi, Sindh and Khuzdar, Balochistan.
Family Heterohelicidae
5. Genus Heterohelise
6. Genus Lepidpcyclina
7. Genus Metapolymorphia
Age: Eocene, about 40 million years old
Locality: Khuzdar, Balochistan.
Order Sprinilida
Family Sprilininidae
8. Genus Spirilina
Age: Pliestocene, 1.5 million years old.
Locality: Karachi, Sindh (Fig. 4).
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Anthozoa
Order Scleractinia
Family Merulinidae
9. Genus Fevites
10. Genus Echinopora
Family Fevidae
11. Genus Fevia
Age: Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Karachi, Sindh.
12. Genus Astrocerium
Age: Silurian, about 425 million years old.
Locality: Chinji Formation, Balochistan.
13. Genus Paleofevosites
Age: Silurian, about 425 million years old.
Locality: Wargal Formation, Balochsitan.
14. Genus Protaria
Age: Silurian, 420 million years old.
Locality: Salt range, Punjab
15. Genus Cladocora
16. Genus Cyphastria
Age: Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda, KPK.
17. Genus Leptastrea
Age: Pleistocene, about 1.5 million years old.
Locality: Karachi, Sindh.
Class Hexacoralia
Order Rugosa
Family Lithostrotionidae
18. Genus Siphenodendron
Age: Permian, about 280 million years old.
Locality: Khairpur, Sindh and Drazinda formation,
KPK.
Family Disphylidae
19. Genus Hexagonaria
Age: Silurian, 420 million years old.
Locality: Salt range, Punjab.
20. Lithostrotion
Age: Permian, 280 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda, KPK.
Order Tabulata
Family Syringophylidae
21. Genus Calapoecia
Age: Ordovician, about 460 million years old.
Locality: Kalat, Balochistan.
22. Genus Acropora
Age: Eocene, about 40 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Family Lophophylidae
23. Genus Lophophyllidium
Family Zephrentidae
24. Genus Zapherentitis
Age : Permian, about 250 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK and Sindh.
25. Genus Heliophyalium
Age: Permian, about 250 million years old.
Locality: Jamshoro Area, Sindh.
Family Paleocyclidae
26. Genus Paleocyclus
27. Septasteria
Age: Devonian, about 400 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Branched Coral
Phylum Cinidaria
Class Tabulata
Order Fevositida
Family Fevositidae
28. Genus Coenites
Age: Devonian, about 400 million years old.
Locality: Sindh.
29. Genus Fevosites
Age: Eocine, 40 million years old.
Locality: Kalat, Balochistan.
Family Heliolitidae
30. Genus Proheleolites
Age: Eocine, 40 million years old.
Locality: Kalat, Balochistan (Fig. 5).
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Echinoida
Family Echinoidae
31. Genus Micraster
Age: Eocene, about 40 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Khuzdar, Balochistan.
32. Genus Clypeas
Age (a): Eocene, about 40 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Age (b): Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Hyderabad, Sindh.
Age (c): Eosine, about 40 million years old.
Locality: Barkhan, Baluchistan.
Class Echinoidea
Order Clypeastroida
Family Clypridae
33. Genus Heteraster
Age: Cretaceous, about 70 million years old.
Locality: Gaj Formation, Sindh.
34. Genus Clypeaster
Age: Oligocene, about 30 million years old.
Locality: Khuzdar, Balochistan.
Class Echinoidea
Order Echinoida
Family Echinoidae
35. Genus Psephechinus
36. Genus Stomoechinus
37. Genus Schizoaster
Age: Eocene, about 40 million years old.
Locality: Barkhan, Balochistan.
Order Holasteroida
Family Holoasteridae
38. Genus Echinocorys
Order Cidaroida
Family Cidaroidae
39. Genus Cidaris
Age: Pliestocene, about 1.5 million years old.
Locality: Malir, Karachi, Sindh.
40. Genus Tretocidaris
Age: Crateceous, about 70 million years old.
Locality: Gaj Formation, Sindh.
Order Echinoida
Family Echinolampidae
41. Genus Echinolampus
Family Echinometritidae
42. Genus Echinometra
Age: Miocene, about 15 million years old.
Locality: Kirthar Formation, Sindh.
Order Spatangoida
Family Spatangidae
43. Genus Spatangus (Heart urchin cross section)
Age: Oligocene, about 30 Million years old.
Locality: Khuzdar, Balochistan.
Crinoids:
Class Crinoidia
OrderFlexibilia
44. Genus Onychocrinus
Age: Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Order Comatulida
Family Antedonidae
45. Genus Anteodon (Feather star, Theca)
Age: Eocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Hyderabad, Sindh.
Crinoid Calyx:
Class Crinoidia
Order Encrinida
Family Encrinidea
46. Genus Encrinus
Age: Triassic, about 240 million years old.
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab (Fig. 6).
Crustaceans:
Crabs and Lobster:
Arthropoda
Class Crutstacea
Order Decapoda
Family Carpiloidae
47. Genus Proxicarpilius
Age: Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Khairpur hills, Sindh.
Family Carpilodae
48. Genus Paleocarpilius
Age: Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Khairpur, Sindh.
Family Cancridae
49. Genus Lobocarcinus
Age: Eocene, about 40 million years old.
Locality: Jamshoro, Sindh.
Order Decapoda
Family Thalassinidae
50. Genus Thalassina (Mud Lobster)
Age: Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Order Balanomorpha
Family Balanidae
51. Genus Notobalanus (Acorn Barncle)
Age: Eocene, about 40 million years old.
Locality: Sindh.
Order Crripedia
Family Archeobalinidae
52. Genus Semibalanus
Age: Cretaceous, about 70 million years old.
Locality: Malir, Karachi, Sindh.
Seed Shrimp:
Order Ostracoda
Family Mydocopidae
53. Genus Cycloliberis
Age: Oligocene, about 30 million years old.
Locality: Khuzdar, Balochistan (Fig. 7).
Phylum Brachiopoda
Class Rhynconellata
Order Terebratulida
Family Terebratulidae
54. Genus Terebratula
Age: Triassic, about 280 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Order Spiriferida
Family Spiriferidae
55. Genus Spiriferina
Age: Triassic, about 220 million years old.
Locality: Gadani, Balochistan.
Order Spiriferidina
Family Spinocryitidae
56. Genus Spinocrytia
Age: Devornian, about 390 million years old.
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab.
Order Orthida
Family Plarostomydae
57. Genus Plarostomys
Age: Ordovicran, about 400 million years old.
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab.
Order Spiriferida
Family Crytospiriferidae
58. Genus Crytospirifer
Age: Permian, about 250 million years old.
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab.
Class Strophomenata
Order Productida
Family Linoproductidae
59. Genus Linoproductus
Age: Permian, about 250 million years old.
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab.
Family Productidae
60. Genus Antiquatinia
Age: Carboniferous, about 300 million years old.
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab.
61. Genus Penicularis
Age: Carboniferous, about 300 million years old.
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab.
Order Trebratulida
Family Cancellothyridae
62. Genus Ortholina
Age: Cretacious, about 100 million years old
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab.
Order Orthida
Family Platystrophidae
63. Genus Vinlandostrophia
Age: Ordovician, about 480 million years old.
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab.
Order Spriferidae
Family Neospriferidae
64. Genus Neospirifer
Age: Cretacious, about 100 million years old
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab (Fig. 8).
Phylum Mollusca
Class Cephalopoda
Order Nautiloidea
Family Nautiloidae
65. Genus Dertoidovarrtius
Age: Cretaceous, about 65 million years old.
Locality: Hub Range, Balochistan.
Order Nautilida
Family Solanochelidae
66. Genus Acanthonautilus
Age: Carboniferous, about 320 million years old.
Locality: Khuzdar, Balochistan.
Family Permoceratidae
67. Genus Permoceras
Age: Permian, about 260 million years old.
Locality: Khuzdar, Balochistan.
Family Trigonoceratidae
68. Genus Domatoceras
Age: Triassic, about 230 million years old
Order Pseudorthocerida
Family Spiroceratidae
69. Genus Spiroceras (Cross section)
Age: Silurian, about 420 million years old.
Locality: Khuzdar, Balochistan.
Order Tarphycerida
Family Uranoceletoidae
70. Genus Bionautilus
Age: Silurian, about 420 million years old
Locality: Salt range, Punjab
Order Nautiloidea
Family Nautiloidae
71. Genus Eutrophoceras
Age: Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality (a): Drazinda formation, KPK.
Age: Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality (b): Jamshoro, Sindh.
Belemenites:
Order Coleoida
Family Coleoidae
71 a. Genus Phragmoteothis (Bellminite Guard)
Age: Cretaceous, about 70 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda, KPK.
71b. Genus Acroteuthis
Age: Miocene, about 15 million years old.
Locality: Sindh.
71c. Genus Dimetobalus
72. Genus Belimentela
Age: Cretaceous, about 60 million years old.
Locality: Sindh.
Ammonites:
Order Ammonoidea
Family Ammonoidae
73. Genus Mammites
74. Genus Demotoceras
Age: Cretaceous, about 65 million years old.
Locality: Salt range, Punjab.
75. Genus Collina
Age: Jurassic, about 190 million years old.
Locality: Sindh.
Order Ceretitida
Family Ceretidae
76. Genus Paradonticeras
77. Genus Ceretites
78. Genus Anolcites
79. Genus Rohlites
Age: Triassic, about 230 million years old.
Locality: Chaghi, Balochistan.
Order Goniatitida
Family Agathiceratidae
80. Genus Agathiceras
Age: Permian, about 260 million years old.
Locality: Balochistan.
Order Discorida
Family Phragmoceratidae
81. Phyloceras
Age: Sillurian, about 420 million years old.
Locality: Sindh.
Order Ammonitida
Family Phyloceratidae
82. Genus Phragmoceras
Age: Triassic, about 200 million years old.
Locality: KPK.
Order Ceratitida
Family Ceratitidae
83. Genus Egnoceras
84. Genus Protoegnoceras
Age: Cretaceous, about 100 million years old.
Locality: KPK.
Order Riocereda
Family Bactroceratidae
85. Genus Bactroceras
Age: Ordovicean, about 450 million years old.
Order Ascocerida
Family Ascoceritidae
86. Genus Ascoceras
87. Genus Plactoceras
Age: Silurian, about 420 million years old.
Locality: Khuzdar, Balochistan.
Bivalves:
Class Bivalvia
Order Carditida
Family Carditidae
88. Genus Venericardia
Age: Pliestocene, about 1 million years old.
Locality: Karachi, Sindh.
Order Megalotontida
Family Megalontidae
89. Genus Neomegalodon (Heart clam)
Age: Jurassic, about 150 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Order Unionida
Family Unionidae
90. Genus Parreysea
Age: Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
91. Genus Lemillidens
Age: Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Order Arcida
Family Arcidae
92. Genus Anadara (Ark clam)
Age: Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Order Myida
Family Anomiidae
93. Genus Placonopsis
Age: Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Order Pholadoidea
Family Pholadidae
94. Genus Pholas (Rock borer)
Age:Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality:Drazinda formation, KPK.
Order Myidea
Family Corbulidae
95. Genus Corbula (Beaked clam)
Age: Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Family Corbiculidae
96. Genus Carbicula
Age: Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Hyderabad, Sindh.
Order Limida
Family Limidae
97. Genus Plagiostoma
Age: Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Order Veneroida
Family Veneridae
98. Genus Circe
Family Mactridae
99. Genus Lutraria
100. Genus Lirophora
Age: Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Order Arcida
Family Cuculleidae
101. Genus Cucullaea (Deer Heart clam)
Age: Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Hyderabad, Sindh.
Order Ostereida
Family Ostereidae
102. Genus Osteria
Age (a): Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Khairpur, Sindh.
Age (b): Pleistocene, about 1.5 million years old.
Locality: Karachi, Sindh.
Order Ostereida
Family Ostereidae
103. Genus Crossosteria
Age: Pliocene, about 2 million years old.
Locality: Malir, Karachi, Sindh.
104. Genus Astarte
Age: Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Khairpur, Sindh.
105. Genus Laevstarta
Age: Eocene, about 40 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda, KPK.
Family Gryphaeidae
106. Genus Gryphaea
(Devil’s toe-nail oyster)
Age (a): Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda formation, KPK.
Age (b): Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Sindh.
Order Arcida
Family Noeitedae
107. Genus Noetia
Age: Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Khairpur, Sindh.
Family Arcidae
108. Genus Striarca
Age: Eocene, about 40 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda, KPK.
Order Neotrigonida
Fabbb mily Tregonidae
109. Genus Neotrigonia
Age: Eocene, about 40 million years old.
Locality: Punjab.
Order Myida
Family Myidae
110. Genus Mya
Age: Oligocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Sonmiani, Balochistan.
Order Pectinidea
Family Pectinidae
111. Genus Argopectin
Age: Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Hyderabad, Sindh.
112. Genus Sinopectin
Age: Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Rawalpindi, Punjab (Fig. 10).
Class Gastropoda
Order Neogastropoda
Family Busyconidae
113. Genus Fulguropsis (Crown Couch)
114. Genus Spinifulgar (Whelk)
Age: Pliestocene, about 1 million years old.
Locality: Karachi Coast, Sindh.
Family Strombidae
115. Genus Strombus
Order Neogastropoda
Family Conidae
116. Genus Conus
117. Genus Cylinder
Age: Pliestocene, about 1.5 million years old.
Locality: Malir, Sindh.
Order Littorinimorpha
Family Scraphsidae
118. Genus Terrabellum
Age(a): Miocene, about 20 million years old.
Locality: Khairpur hills, Sindh.
Age (b): Eocene, about 40 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda Formation, KPK.
Age (c): Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab.
Family Cypraeidae
119. Genus Proadusta
Age: Pliestocene, about 1 million years old.
Locality: Karachi Coast, Sindh.
120. Genus Trona
Age: Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Rawalpindi, Punjab
Family Olividae
121. Genus Olivaucilaria
Age: (a) Eocene, about 50 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda KPK.
Age: Pliestocene, about 1 million years old.
Locality: Karachi Coast, Sindh.
Order Archeogastropoda
Family Macluritidae
122. Genus Maclurites
Age: Cretaceous, about 66 million years old.
Locality: Balochistan and Sindh.
Order Orthogastropoda
Family Hormotomidae
123. Genus Hormotoma
124. Genus Orthonema
125. Genus Cyclonema
Order Lepitellida
Family Fissurellidae
126. Genus Medurafissurella
Age: Eocene, about 35 million years old.
Locality: Khuzdar, Balochistan.
Order Neritimorpha
Family Paleotrochidae
127. Genus Turbonopsis
Age: Devonian, about 370 million years old.
Locality: Hyderabad, Sindh.
Order Trochida
Family Trochidae
128. Genus Trochus
Age: Devonian, about 370 million years old.
Locality: Khuzdar, Balochistan.
Order Cenogastropoda
Family Globocornidae
129. Genus Angaria
Age: Miocene, about 10 million years old.
Locality: Sindh.
130. Genus Globocornus
Age: Eocene, about 55 million years old
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab
Family Megalomastidae
131. Genus Tomocyclus
Age: Eocene, about 55 million years old
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab
Family Nassaridae
132. Genus Nassarius
Age: Eocene, about 55 million years old
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab
Family Sibulitidae
133. Genus Subulitus
Age: Triassic, about 200 million years old.
Locality: Salt Range, Punjab.
Family Horiclanidae
134. Genus Carinapex
Age: Pliestocene, about 1.5 million years old.
Locality: Malir, Karachi, Sindh.
Family Naticidae
135. Genus Amacurellina (Moon Snail)
Age: Eocene, about 55 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda Formation, KPK.
Family Turritellidae
136. Genus Turritella
Family Ampullinidae
137. Genus Globularia
Family Ovulidae
138. Genus Morgula
Family Volutidae
139. Genus Scaphella
Family Triviidae
140. Genus Trivellona
Family Hetrohelicidae
141. Genus Hetrohelix (in polished lime stone goblet)
Age: Oligocene, about 30 million years old.
Locality: Khuzdar Balochistan.
Family Cypriedae
142. Genus Umbilia
Age (a): Eocene, about 55 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda, KPK.
Age (b): Pliestocene, about 1.5 million years old.
Locality: Sindh.
Order Neogastropoda
Family Buccinidae
143. Genus Neptuna
Age: Eocene, about 55 million years old.
Locality: Drazinda, KPK.
Family Helicionidae
144. Genus Halicionella
Age: Carboniferous, about 300 million years old.
Locality: Khuzdar, Balochistan.
Order Cenogastopoda
Family Strombidae
145. Genus Volutispina
Age: Pliocene, about 3 million years old.
Locality: Karachi Sindh.
Order Patellogastropoda
Family Patellidae
146. Genus Prostcutum (in lime stone slab)
Age: Cretaceous, about 100 million years old.
Locality: Punjab (Fig. 11).
Discussion
Causes for rich invertebrate fossil fauna are probably due to impact of two global events, Cretaceous-Eocene -Paleogene crises and Paleocene–Eocene Thermal optimum in relation to the collision of Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates (Jablonski, 2008). Iqbal (1980) opines that faunal composition is significantly different from that of KPK and Balochistan. Observations of present study do not show this trend. Among Foraminiferans genus Nummulites was common in Eocene rocks of KPK and Balochistan, whereas genus Disocyclina was found in Miocene deposits of Sindh only. Genus Astrorhizona and Fussilina were found in deposits of Permian age in Sindh and Balochistan only. Genus Spirilina was found only from Sindh in Pleistocene rocks. Three genera of family Heterohalicidae are reported only from Khuzdar Balochistan in Eocene age rocks. Ozycan et al. (2019) has reported Nummulites of Silurian age from Drazinda formation, KPK and Salt range, Punjab. Siddiqui et al. (2022) studied the Jhimpir area, Lucky formation of Southern Indus basin. Three Eocene age genera of foraminifarans, Globogerina, Morzovella and Acrinina were recorded.
Ten species of fossil corals from Jiwani area of Balochistan are identified. In present study genus Fevites, Echinopora and Fevia have been recorded from Miocene rocks of Karachi, Sindh. Two Silurian age genra Astrocerium and Paleofevites have been identified from Balochistan. Among colonial Rugose corals, genus Siphenodenderone has been reported from Permian rocks of Dranzinda KPK and Khairpur Hills of Sindh. Similarly, Horn corals of genus Lophophylidium, Zapherentites and Heleophyallam are recorded from Permian rocks of Sindh and KPK. Branched corals of genus Fevosites and Coenites have been identified from Eocene rocks of Sindh only. Ghobadipour and Popove (2022), recently studied the Ordovicean corals from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Cruzina rugosa was recorded from KPK.
Among Echinoderms, Genus Micraster and Clypeas of Eocene age have been identified from KPK and Balochistan. Similarly, genus Cidaris (Pliestocene age) and Tretocidaris (Cretaceous age) have been recorded from Sindh. Three species of Ordovicean echinoids were reported from Donghan Rigion of Alberz mountain range, Iran (Lefebre et al., 2005).
Crustaceans were recorded in very small number in present study. Crabs of genus Proxicarpillius and Lobocarcinus have been identified from Eocene age rocks of Sindh. Balanus of genus Semibalanus of Cretaceous age has also been recorded from Sindh. A small mud – lobster of genus Thalassina has also been identified from Eocene deposits of KPK. Hyzny et al. (2016) have described two new species of Ghost shrimp (f. Axiididea), Newcallichernus khadroensis and N. lakharaensis from Eocene deposits of Sindh (Fig. 12).
Brachiopods flourished during Paleozoic era and became extinct by the end of Permian age. Only one genus is extant at present. In present study ten species of Brachiopods have been identified. Genus Crytospirifer; Antiquantia and Penicularis belong to Carboniferous age. Ortholina; Spiriferina and Trebratula are from Triassic age, while Plarostomys and Vinlandostrophia belong to Ordovicean age. According to Angiolini et al. (1999), late Carboniferous brchiopod fauna from Nothern Karakuram area of Pakistan shows affinities with the fauna of contagious pre-gondwanan rocks of Afghanistan and Lahasa block and are also related to those of Tethys-Himalayas.
Among Cephalopods, 8 genra of Nautiloids and Belmenites have been recorded while 14 genra of Ammonites have been identified in present study.
Cephalpods appeared during Cambrian age and became dominant during the Ordovician age. Ammonites and belemnites became extinct by the end of cretaceous age. Few representatives of subclass Nautiloidea and Coleoidea are still found today in ocean of the world. Majority of Cephalopod fossils have earlier been found from salt range, Punjab (Spath, 1939) and Balochistan (Fatmi et al. 1999; Siddiqui et al., 2009). In present study some Cephalopod fossils have been recorded from KPK and Sindh province as well. Earlier Fatmi et al have recorded Jurassic age Cephalopod from Kishor- Marwat range of D.I. Khan KPK. Heldar (2012) identified 3 new species of Cenozoic Nautiloids from Kutch area of W. India. Three Ordovician age Orthoconic cephalopods have been recorded from Albarz mountain range, Iran (Evans et al., 2013).
In present study 23 genra of bivalves have been identified. Bivalves appeared in middle of Cambrian age. These flourished in Mesozoic and Cenozoic era. The are found in abundance in modern day seas (Tichart, 1966). Majority of fossils identified in present study belong to Eocene age. Only one genus, Neomegelodon (heart-clam) belongs to Jurassic age which has been recorded from Drazinda formation, KPK. Genus Venecardia belonging to Pliestocene age has been recorded from Karachi, Sindh. Most of bivalves identified from Dranzinda formation, KPK, belong to Eocene age. A scallop genus Argopectin belonging the Miocene age has been recorded from Hyderabad, Sindh.
Gastropods from the largest group of fossils (30 genera) in present study (Fig. 13). Gastropods are a highly successful group of molluscs. Among 721 families of known gastropods, 245 are extinct today. Gastropods appeared in Paleozoic era (Cambrian age) and continue up to present age. Brohi et al. (2009) while discussing the economic significance of Tertiary rocks in Thana Bola Khan area of Sindh also recorded various invertebrate fossil groups from different formations. Lucky formation yielded large Foraminiferans; Gastropods; bivalves and Echnoids. Tiyon formation contained the fossils of all the above groups. Similarly, Gaj formation; Nari formation and Manchar formation revealed the fossils of above-mentioned groups. In another study of fossil Gastropods (f. Volutidae) were studied from Lakhra formation of Sindh. Ten new species of Eocene age were identified. Harzausurs et al. (2017) recorded 19 species of Gastropods from Makran area of S.E. Iran. These included 3 new species.
Declarations
Acknowledgments
I am deeply indebted to Mr. Atlas Khan Sheerani from Drazinda, KPK, who provided large number of fossils. Similarly, I wish to thank Mr. Khadim Dahot who sent me invaluable fossils from Khairpur Area in Sindh. Thanks are due to my friend from Spain, Mr. Alex Osso, who provided critical comments, which helped to finalize the text. Last but not the least I am thankful to my niece Miss Doha Zaidi for composing the results. My grandson, Muhammad Qasim helped a lot with preparation of graphs and photographic plates.
Statement of conflict of interest
The authors have declared no conflict of interest.
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