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Paleobiogeographical inferences of Indian Late Cretaceous vertebrates with special reference to dinosaurs

ABSTRACT The Infra- and Intertrappean deposits have yielded diverse vertebrates, especially dinosaurs, mammals, snakes, turtles, crocodiles, and invertebrates. The biotic assemblages demonstrate a remarkable degree of resemblance between these deposits. The palaeobiogeographical affinities of the paleobiota are more intricate, yielding remains of Gondwanan and Laurasian affinities, and some endemic forms. In order to explain the presence of such a complex biota during the northward drift of the Indian plate (Late Cretaceous period), different palaeobiogeographical models have been proposed. Special emphasis has been given in this paper to the palaeobiogeographical implications of Indian Late Cretaceous dinosaurs. The size of the animal played an essential role in determining the nature of the biotic interchange between India and its nearby landmasses. The faunal exchange between India and Asia through the Kohistan Dras volcanic arc system has been considered as the superlative migratory route, which favoured the small fauna during trans-maritime dispersal. Conversely, it was difficult for small animals to cross huge marine boundaries, other than for the very large vertebrates (especially dinosaurs). Consequently, a straight terrestrial course, especially in the northern India, is a lesser probability, and the dispersal of these huge vertebrates ought to be seen as part of a ‘Pan Gondwanan’ model.