Early Angiosperm Ecology: Evidence from the Albian-Cenomanian of Europe

• Background and Aims The mid-Cretaceous is a period of sudden turnover from gymnosperm to angiosperm-dominated floras. The aim was to investigate the fossil plant ecology in order to follow the spread of angiosperm taxa. • Methods Floristic lists and localities from the latest Albian-Cenomanian of Europe are analysed with Wagner's Parsimony Method, a clustering method currently used in phylogeny (cladistics). • Key Results Wagner's Parsimony Method points out that ( a ) gymnosperms dominated brackish water-related environments while angiosperms dominated freshwater-related environments (e.g. swamps, floodplains, levees, channels), ( b ) angiosperms showed the highest diversity in stable, freshwater-related environments, ( c ) a single angiosperm, ‘ Diospyros ’ cretacea , is restricted to brackish water-related environments and ( d ) the families Lauraceae and Platanaceae were exclusive to disturbed, braided river environments, implying a opportunist strategy for early tree angiosperms. • Conclusions During the Mid-Cretaceous, European floras were characterized by ( a ) coastal gymnosperms, ( b ) highly diversified fluvial angiosperms and ( c ) the first European brackish water-related angiosperm.