Nypa megafossils from the Tertiary sediments of Northeast India

Nypa megafossils dominated by fruits are described from Oligocene and Lower Miocene sediments of Assam and Mizoram, respectively. The origin, past distribution and migration of Nypa are discussed in the light of recent findings. This study indicates that India might be the place of its origin. Its presence, along with some other coastal elements, reinforces the concept that the Bay of Bengal was extending considerably northward during these epochs than its present day boundary. (C) 2003 Editions scientitiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.