Fossil Discovery Reveals Ancient Thorny Bamboo in Manipur

Scientists have uncovered fossil evidence of thorny bamboo existing in Asia during the Ice Age, as revealed by a recent study. Researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) conducted a field survey in the Imphal West district of Manipur, where they identified a bamboo stem with distinctive markings in silt-rich deposits along the Chirang River.

The team discovered what they believe to be thorn scars on the fossilized bamboo, which prompted further investigation into its classification and ecological significance. Following a detailed examination of the fossil’s morphology—including nodes, buds, and thorn scars—the researchers assigned it to the genus Chimonobambusa. They subsequently compared it with living thorny bamboo species such as Bambusa bambos and Chimonobambusa callosa, allowing them to reconstruct the plant’s defensive features and ecological role.

Significance of the Discovery

This discovery marks the first fossil evidence that thorniness in bamboo, a defense mechanism against herbivores, was present in Asia during the Ice Age. The fossil’s preservation is especially notable given that it originates from a period characterized by colder and drier global climates, when bamboo faced extinction in many regions, including Europe. According to the release, the findings indicate that while harsh Ice Age conditions limited bamboo’s distribution, Northeast India served as a refuge where the plant could thrive.

Published in the journal Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, this remarkable finding captures delicate details such as thorn scars, features that rarely fossilize. The discovery underscores the importance of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot as a crucial refuge during the Ice Age. While colder climates eradicated bamboo from regions like Europe, the warm and humid conditions of Northeast India allowed it to persist, enriching our understanding of the plant’s evolutionary history.

Research Implications

The research not only enhances knowledge about bamboo evolution but also sheds light on the regional climate history. The findings emphasize the role of Northeast India in preserving biodiversity during periods of global environmental stress. Geologist N. Herojit Singh from the Geological Survey of India, a team member involved in the discovery, shared insights on the fossil’s location and significance.

Singh noted that the fossil was found in 2021-2022 within the silt-rich deposits of “quaternary deposits exposed” west of Senjam-Chirang village in Imphal West district. Several samples were collected, some measuring nearly a foot long. The research confirms that the “fossil bamboo culm” dates back to the late Pleistocene sediments in eastern India.

This discovery stands as a significant contribution to both palaeoclimatic and biogeographic studies, establishing a deeper understanding of how ancient ecosystems adapted to changing environmental conditions.