Ganapathi Thanikaimoni
Encyclopedia
Ganapathi Thanikaimoni (January 1, 1938 – September 5, 1986), often referred to as Thani was widely known for his manifold contributions to the science of palynology
. He was married to Krishnaveni (aka Kitty) in 1970 and the couple had a son Ravindran (aka Ravi) and a daughter called Kirthana.
, Thani received the Master of Science degree in Botany in 1962 at the University of Madras
under the direction of the eminent plant morphologist, Professor B.G.L. Swamy. At the same time Thani was awarded the prestigious Fyson Prize
in Natural Science, which is reserved for truly outstanding Indian naturalists.
In 1970 Thani was granted the doctorate degree by the University of Montpellier
in recognition of his erudite and comprehensive thesis on the pollen morphology, classification and phylogeny of 800 species of extant Palmae (=Arecaceae).
(fr
:Institut Français de Pondichéry) under the direction of Dr.Prof. Guinet. Within a few years Thani's scientific and administrative abilities were recognized by his promotion to the directorship of these laboratories.
During the next decade this tireless and prolific worker published numerous significant papers concerning such essentially tropical families as the Araceae
, Clusiaceae
, Menispermaceae
, Mimosaceae and Sonnera tiaceae [see Palynos 8(2): 7, Dec 1985]. In the majority of these publications, he not only gave a complete and accurate description of the pollen
morphology
of the species he examined, but also included the morphology of the other plant organs, in order to elucidate their probable phylogenv and to justify the classification schemes selected.
Although the bulk of Dr. Thanikaimoni's early research dealt with pollen of modern flora, in the late 1970s turned his attention to fossil
pollen as well. In 1983 he convened a workshop for French and Indian palynologists in Pondicherry [ICP Newsletter 6(1):6-7] with the goal of clarifying the taxonomy
of angiosperm pollen previously described from Tertiary
horizons of tropical Africa
and India
. For this project Thani's collection of more than 20,000 slides of tropical palynomorphs was of inestimable value. From this cooperative endeavor, a clear synthesis of 47 taxa was obtained and published. Furthermore, he had recently been active in organizing a symposium on Tertiary pollen from tropical regions for the 7th IPC in Brisbane, Australia.
Despite Dr. Thanikaimoni's previously-mentioned important contributions to the science of palynology, he probably received his greatest international recognition and acclaim for his scholarly - volume compilation of the literature on the morphology of angiosperm pollen - Index Bibliographique sur la Morphologic des Pollens d'Angiospermes, which he initiated in 1972. His wife, Kitty, mother of their two young children, gave him invaluable assistance in the preparation of these significant publications. These volumes are indispensable bibliographic aids in the laboratories of all practicing actuopalynologists.
Dr Thanikaimoni has been referred to as "a palynologic well of erudition" - this expression fits him exactly, since he was cognizant of almost every aspect of palynology.
In Pondicherry, he advised the Government on matters pertaining to the protection of the coastline, rehabilitation of arid areas and the impact of human development on the local ecosystem.
Thani was instrumental in focusing attention to the tremendous ecological role that the mangrove ecosystem played in protecting coastlines from tidal waves (Tsunami
) and land erosion. He spear-headed scientific initiatives centered around the mangrove ecosystem at Pichavaram
.
He was involved in UNESCO's Asia and Pacific Mangrove Project - a multidisciplinary integrated initiative for a better understanding of the structure and function of mangrove ecosystems for sustainable use and management.
Thani's scientific contribution in the realm of mangrove ecology are recorded in the posthumously published Palynology Manual. He left behind him a first-class work that is a benchmark for the identification of pollen from species of mangrove plants of ages past.
, was hijacked in Karachi
, Pakistan
on September 5, 1986. Thani sustained fatal injuries to the head in the gun-battle which followed an attempt by Pakistani commandos to storm the aircraft and kill the terrorists. It was reported that he was trying to extend help to a child when he was struck by bullets and shrapnel from an exploding grenade carried by the terrorists.
He had been invited to present a lecture at a symposium on marine palynology, as a part of the UNESCO
-sponsored Second International Conference on Paleo-oceanography that was held from September 6–12 at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
in Massachusetts, USA.
, Paris) and (late) Dr. Pierre Legris (IFP, Pondicherry).
An in-depth look at some of the people who have influenced the discipline of Palynology - Dr. G. Thanikaimoni
AASP Primary Records Program - Dr. G. Thanikaimoni
The story of the UNESCO Mangrove Programme
Environment and Sustainable Development - Paleo-environments of South India
Dr. G.Thanikaimoni, headed the Palynology laboratory for more than twenty years till 1986
Hijacking of PanAm Flight 73 - Information on court proceedings of Pam Am Flight # 73
Palynology
Palynology is the science that studies contemporary and fossil palynomorphs, including pollen, spores, orbicules, dinoflagellate cysts, acritarchs, chitinozoans and scolecodonts, together with particulate organic matter and kerogen found in sedimentary rocks and sediments...
. He was married to Krishnaveni (aka Kitty) in 1970 and the couple had a son Ravindran (aka Ravi) and a daughter called Kirthana.
Early life and education
Born on New Year's Day, 1938 in Madras-IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Thani received the Master of Science degree in Botany in 1962 at the University of Madras
University of Madras
The University of Madras is a public research university in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the three oldest universities in India...
under the direction of the eminent plant morphologist, Professor B.G.L. Swamy. At the same time Thani was awarded the prestigious Fyson Prize
Philip Furley Fyson
Philip Furley Fyson was a botanist and educator who worked in India. He is noted as the author of the first illustrated volumes on the flora of the South Indian hills...
in Natural Science, which is reserved for truly outstanding Indian naturalists.
In 1970 Thani was granted the doctorate degree by the University of Montpellier
Montpellier
-Neighbourhoods:Since 2001, Montpellier has been divided into seven official neighbourhoods, themselves divided into sub-neighbourhoods. Each of them possesses a neighbourhood council....
in recognition of his erudite and comprehensive thesis on the pollen morphology, classification and phylogeny of 800 species of extant Palmae (=Arecaceae).
Scientific career
Thani took a position of scientist in the newly-founded (1960) Palynology Laboratory of the French Institute of PondicherryFrench Institute of Pondicherry
The French Institute of Pondicherry UMIFRE 21 CNRS-MAEE, is a French financially autonomous institution in India, under the joint supervision of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the French National Centre for Scientific Research...
(fr
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
:Institut Français de Pondichéry) under the direction of Dr.Prof. Guinet. Within a few years Thani's scientific and administrative abilities were recognized by his promotion to the directorship of these laboratories.
During the next decade this tireless and prolific worker published numerous significant papers concerning such essentially tropical families as the Araceae
Araceae
Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe or leaf-like bract. Also known as the Arum family, members are often colloquially...
, Clusiaceae
Clusiaceae
The Clusiaceae or Guttiferae Juss. is a family of plants formerly including about 37 genera and 1610 species of trees and shrubs, often with milky sap and fruits or capsules for seeds. It is primarily tropical...
, Menispermaceae
Menispermaceae
Menispermaceae, the botanical name for a family of flowering plants, has been universally recognized by taxonomists. Tubocurare, a neuromuscular blocker and active ingredient in curare, is derived from plants of this family....
, Mimosaceae and Sonnera tiaceae [see Palynos 8(2): 7, Dec 1985]. In the majority of these publications, he not only gave a complete and accurate description of the pollen
Pollen
Pollen is a fine to coarse powder containing the microgametophytes of seed plants, which produce the male gametes . Pollen grains have a hard coat that protects the sperm cells during the process of their movement from the stamens to the pistil of flowering plants or from the male cone to the...
morphology
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
of the species he examined, but also included the morphology of the other plant organs, in order to elucidate their probable phylogenv and to justify the classification schemes selected.
Although the bulk of Dr. Thanikaimoni's early research dealt with pollen of modern flora, in the late 1970s turned his attention to fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
pollen as well. In 1983 he convened a workshop for French and Indian palynologists in Pondicherry [ICP Newsletter 6(1):6-7] with the goal of clarifying the taxonomy
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
of angiosperm pollen previously described from Tertiary
Tertiary
The Tertiary is a deprecated term for a geologic period 65 million to 2.6 million years ago. The Tertiary covered the time span between the superseded Secondary period and the Quaternary...
horizons of tropical Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. For this project Thani's collection of more than 20,000 slides of tropical palynomorphs was of inestimable value. From this cooperative endeavor, a clear synthesis of 47 taxa was obtained and published. Furthermore, he had recently been active in organizing a symposium on Tertiary pollen from tropical regions for the 7th IPC in Brisbane, Australia.
Despite Dr. Thanikaimoni's previously-mentioned important contributions to the science of palynology, he probably received his greatest international recognition and acclaim for his scholarly - volume compilation of the literature on the morphology of angiosperm pollen - Index Bibliographique sur la Morphologic des Pollens d'Angiospermes, which he initiated in 1972. His wife, Kitty, mother of their two young children, gave him invaluable assistance in the preparation of these significant publications. These volumes are indispensable bibliographic aids in the laboratories of all practicing actuopalynologists.
Dr Thanikaimoni has been referred to as "a palynologic well of erudition" - this expression fits him exactly, since he was cognizant of almost every aspect of palynology.
Environmental Protection
As knowledge of the significant role that mangrove ecosystems play in the tropical coastal zone grew worldwide, it also became clear that mangroves are marginal ecosystems, vulnerable to sudden or drastic changes in the environment. Mangroves do not recover spontaneously after the impact of natural or man made catastrophic events such as cyclones or total felling of the mangrove forests.In Pondicherry, he advised the Government on matters pertaining to the protection of the coastline, rehabilitation of arid areas and the impact of human development on the local ecosystem.
Thani was instrumental in focusing attention to the tremendous ecological role that the mangrove ecosystem played in protecting coastlines from tidal waves (Tsunami
Tsunami
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, typically an ocean or a large lake...
) and land erosion. He spear-headed scientific initiatives centered around the mangrove ecosystem at Pichavaram
Pichavaram
Pichavaram is located near Chidambaram in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, in South India. The nearest railway station is Chidambaram from where it is accessible by road....
.
He was involved in UNESCO's Asia and Pacific Mangrove Project - a multidisciplinary integrated initiative for a better understanding of the structure and function of mangrove ecosystems for sustainable use and management.
Thani's scientific contribution in the realm of mangrove ecology are recorded in the posthumously published Palynology Manual. He left behind him a first-class work that is a benchmark for the identification of pollen from species of mangrove plants of ages past.
Untimely demise
Thani was on his way to the US when the airplane in which he was flying, Pan Am Flight 73Pan Am Flight 73
Pan Am Flight 73, a Pan American World Airways Boeing 747-121, was hijacked on September 5, 1986, while on the ground at Karachi, Pakistan, by four armed men of the Abu Nidal Organization...
, was hijacked in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
on September 5, 1986. Thani sustained fatal injuries to the head in the gun-battle which followed an attempt by Pakistani commandos to storm the aircraft and kill the terrorists. It was reported that he was trying to extend help to a child when he was struck by bullets and shrapnel from an exploding grenade carried by the terrorists.
He had been invited to present a lecture at a symposium on marine palynology, as a part of the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
-sponsored Second International Conference on Paleo-oceanography that was held from September 6–12 at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a private, nonprofit research and higher education facility dedicated to the study of all aspects of marine science and engineering and to the education of marine researchers. Established in 1930, it is the largest independent oceanographic research...
in Massachusetts, USA.
Legacy
Thani is regarded as possibly the most able Indian palynologist in his field. Thani's initiative in starting and supporting the joint project compiling palynological information on the Tertiary of India and developing comparisons with previously described flora of Africa was an enormous achievement, both in palynology and public relations. He hoped that this would be the beginning of a major international collaborative effort. Thus it is gratifying to report that the French Institute in Pondicherry plans to continue this project which was so dear to his heart.Acknowledgements
Article compiled from write-ups by (late) Stanley A. J. Pocock (Canada), Claude Caratini (CEGET, Bordeaux-Talence), Annick Le Thomas (EPHE, Paris), Dr. M. Vannucci (ISME, Okinawa & UNESCOUNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, Paris) and (late) Dr. Pierre Legris (IFP, Pondicherry).
Sources & External links
- Canadian Association of Palynologists (CAP)
An in-depth look at some of the people who have influenced the discipline of Palynology - Dr. G. Thanikaimoni
- American Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists, Inc. (AASP) Palynos
AASP Primary Records Program - Dr. G. Thanikaimoni
- UNESCO Science & Technology in Asia and the Pacific Co-operation for Development
The story of the UNESCO Mangrove Programme
- French Institute of PondicherryFrench Institute of PondicherryThe French Institute of Pondicherry UMIFRE 21 CNRS-MAEE, is a French financially autonomous institution in India, under the joint supervision of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the French National Centre for Scientific Research...
/ Institut Francaise de Pondichéry (IFP)
Environment and Sustainable Development - Paleo-environments of South India
Dr. G.Thanikaimoni, headed the Palynology laboratory for more than twenty years till 1986
- US Department of Justice (USDOJ)
Hijacking of PanAm Flight 73 - Information on court proceedings of Pam Am Flight # 73