New occurrences of the wood Protocupressinoxylon purbeckensis Francis: implications for terrestrial biomes in southwestern Europe at the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary

Abstract:  Previously known from the Kimmeridgian–Portlandian of Dorset (UK) only, Protocupressinoxylon purbeckensis wood is reported here from the Kimmeridgian of Asturias (Spain) and Ajoie (Switzerland). The morphospecies taxonomy and nomenclature are discussed, and new supplementary illustrations are given. The P. purbeckensis tree was growing in dry strongly seasonal (tropophilous) environments, and the new occurrences suggest that such a climate prevailed on land all over southwestern Europe at the end of the Jurassic (Kimmeridgian sensu anglico – Portlandian). The review of fossil wood data indicates that such a stressful environment may have constrained terrestrial biocoenoses and their evolution at the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary. But wood generic diversity curves are also strikingly similar to that drawn 20 years ago for nonmarine tetrapods, implying a fossil Lagerstätte effect.