DISCOVERY OF SILICIFIED MICROFOSSILS FROM THE KHATPUL FORMATION, SHALI GROUP (NEOPROTEROZOIC), H.P., INDIA

Well-developed organic walled microfossils of cyanobacterial affinity are recorded for the first time from the bedded and stromatolitic cher t units of the Shall Group (Neoproterozoic). The present discovery enh ances our knowledge of the palaeobiology of the Shall Belt which has s o far yielded only stromatolites. The association of these silicified microfossils with columnar stromatolites signifies the close ecologica l relationship between the two. A correlation of the Shall Belt with a djacent belts of the Lesser Himalaya has been discussed in the light o f the present discovery.