Ice Age Bamboo: Fossil Discovery Unearths Thorny Evolution

Scientists discovered fossil evidence in Manipur of thorny bamboo dating back to the Ice Age, highlighting bamboo's evolutionary traits and ecological role. Research from India's BSIP indicates this discovery as crucial for understanding bamboo's history and the Northeast Indian region's role in biodiversity preservation during global climate shifts.

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have uncovered fossil evidence in Manipur's Imphal West district, indicating the presence of thorny bamboo in Asia during the Ice Age. This finding provides new insights into the evolutionary traits and ecological role of bamboo.

The research, conducted by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, involved analyzing a bamboo stem with distinctive thorn scars from silt-rich deposits along the Chirang River. The fossil was identified as belonging to the genus Chimonobambusa after detailed morphological examination.

Published in the Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, the study underscores the significance of this discovery in understanding both bamboo evolution and regional climate history. It highlights Northeast India's role as a biodiversity refuge during the Ice Age, offering critical insights into palaeoclimatic and biogeographic studies.

(With inputs from agencies.)