Earliest Thorny Bamboo Fossil from Asia Found in Manipur

Researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) discovered an exceptionally preserved bamboo stem fossil in the silt-rich deposits of the Chirang River, Imphal Valley, Manipur.

• The fossil shows distinct thorn scars, providing the earliest fossil evidence of thorny bamboo in Asia.

Why This Is Important

• Bamboo fossils are extremely rare because bamboo stems are hollow and fibrous and decay quickly, leaving little trace.
• This fossil rewrites part of Asian botanical history, revealing that thorniness in bamboo already existed during the Ice Age (Pleistocene).

Scientific Details

• Through morphological study of nodes, buds, and thorn marks, the fossil was assigned to the genus Chimonobambusa.
• Comparisons were made with modern thorny bamboos:
  • Bambusa bambos
  • Chimonobambusa callosa
• These comparisons helped reconstruct the defensive traits and ecological role of ancient bamboo.

Paleoecological Significance

• The fossil dates to a period of colder and drier climatic conditions (Ice Age).
• During this period, bamboo went extinct in many regions, including Europe, but survived in parts of Asia.
• Demonstrates that herbivore pressure drove evolution of thorn-based defenses even in ancient bamboo species.

Overall Significance

• First direct fossil evidence confirming thorny bamboo existed in Asia during the Pleistocene.
• Provides a rare glimpse into the ancient ecology of Northeast India, highlighting the region’s rich fossil record.

Source: PIB