Sprecher
Beschreibung
The Barremian fossil site of Las Hoyas (Cuenca, Spain) constitutes one of the most relevant Konservat-Lagerstätten for the study of Early Cretaceous continental ecosystems, standing out for the exceptional preservation of its biota. In this context, the palaeobotanical record provides a unique opportunity to address the palaeoecological reconstruction of the wetland system, particularly through the analysis of poorly studied plant macrofossils.
This work analyses two complementary assemblages of plant fossils: a collection of 168 seeds and a set of 34 leaf impressions previously attributed to angiosperms, housed at the Museo Paleontológico de Castilla-La Mancha (MUPA). The main objective is to determine their morphological diversity and preliminary taxonomic affinities in order to infer their palaeoecological implications within the wetland.
The seeds were examined using morphological criteria, including length/width ratio, ornamentation, and the presence of associated structures, allowing the identification of six main morphotypes, including winged, striated, and pedunculated forms. Their morphological features indicate the presence of both angiosperms and gymnosperms, highlighting the identification of seeds attributable to the Caytoniales, suggesting a greater diversity than previously recognized for the wetland.
Leaf analysis allowed the definition of eight morphotypes, seven attributed to angiosperms and one to Caytoniales of the genus Sagenopteris. Overall, the results indicate a more heterogeneous flora than previously documented, including both autochthonous and allochthonous components. Although angiosperms and Caytoniales are scarce within the assemblage, their morphological and adaptive features, together with their temporal distribution within the Las Hoyas wetland system, suggest the occupation of distinct ecological niches.