Record of Metagoniolithon (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from the Burdigalian of western India

Well-preserved Metagoniolithon (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) identified as Metagoniolithon sp. has been recovered in thin sections of limestone of the Burdigalian age, the Chhasra Formation, India. By its small size, Metagoniolithon sp. differs from M. radiatum (Lamarck) Ducker, a living species. Metagoniolithon sp. is associated with rich dasycladacean algae, and this points out that the species was thriving in shallow, warm, tropical environments. The present fossil discovery of Metagoniolithon sp. is significant, as prior to this, two species of Metagoniolithon were dubiously documented from the Oligocene and the Aquitanian of Cuba. The present finding of the fossil representative of Metagoniolithon has enabled us to extend the stratigraphic range of this genus to the Burdigalian.