Vegetational composition of the Upper Cretaceous vertebrate site of Chera (Valencia, Spain) and its significance in mosaic vegetation from southwestern Europe

A palynological study of the Upper Cretaceous vertebrate site of Chera (Valencia, Spain) has been carried out. The occurrence of diversified Normapolles including various species of Vancampopollenites, Papillopollis and Pseudoromeinipollenites suggest a late Campanian–?early Maachtrichtian age. The palynological assemblages suggest an azonal vegetation involving peat-mosses, sedges and palms colonizing wetlands with ephemeral or semi-permanent pools and lakes. The abundant and diverse Normapolles reflect the regional presence of woodlands or other open vegetation communities with prominent Fagales. The pollen and spore associations of Chera and the contemporary palaeobotanical data from SW Europe are indicative of the co-existence of numerous, structurally different and taxonomically individualized plant communities. The suggested palaeofloral heterogeneity is compatible with the current palaeogeographical reconstructions of SW Europe and probably enhance the appearance of the highly diverse fauna with insular characteristics of the latest Cretaceous.