Biodiversity of ecosystems in an arid setting: The late Albian plant communities and associated biota from eastern Iberia

Arroyo de la Pascueta outcrop (AP). In the palynological succession, Cyathidites/Deltoi- dospora and Classopollis exhibit antagonistic percentage fluctuations. Cheirolepidiaceae char- acterised the lower part of the succession (Fig 14, clusters I and III). Conversely, although defining a pattern slightly less pronounced, Cyathidites/Deltoidospora are more abundant in the upper part of the section (Fig 14, cluster V and cluster VI), and occur in assemblage devoid of marine palynomorphs. The two mentioned intervals are separated by a level with abundant angiosperms and common Anemiaceae (cluster IV). The amber-bearing stratum, typified by Cyathidites/Deltoidospora, is restricted to the uppermost part of the succession (cluster VI). Although not found in abundance, angiosperms are diverse in the amber-bearing bed and include various species associated with Chloranthaceae/Ceratophyllaceae, Laurales and eudi- cots (i.e., Fig 9U). Mega and mesofossil plants from AP show a balanced representation of remains with thick cuticles. The megaflora includes narrowly elongated leaves of Mirovia gothanii (Fig 11C), broadly obtuse entire-margined leaves of the ginkgophyte Nehvizdya (= Eretmophyllum) penalveri (Fig 11A), shoots of the Cheirolepidiaceae Frenelopsis turolensis (Fig 11B) and elon- gated leaves of Dammarites cf. albens (Fig 11C). While elongate seeds of the Spermatites type Fig 12. Detailed palynological chart for San Just section (SJ). Blue colour: marine palynomorphs; yellow colour: spores of ferns and allied; green colour: Gymnosperm pollen; red colour: Angiosperm pollen.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282178.g012 PLOS ONE Late Albian desert biota from Iberia PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282178 March 2, 2023 28 / 51