As with the Lejeuneaceae, this pattern of massive speciation appears to be correlated with the Cretaceous explosion of the angiosperms and the simultaneous creation of a host of new microenvironments, differing in humidity, light intensity, texture, etc.
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Cretaceous — Period 145.5–65.5 million years ago … Wikipedia
cretaceous — [kri tā′shəs, krētā′shəs] adj. [L cretaceus < creta: see CRAYON] 1. Now Rare containing, composed of, or having the nature of, chalk 2. [usually C ] designating or of the third and last geologic period of the Mesozoic Era, characterized by the … English World dictionary
Cretaceous — Cre*ta ceous (kr[ e]*t[=a] sh[u^]s), a. [L. cretaceus, fr. creta chalk. See {Crayon}.] 1. Having the qualities of chalk; abounding with chalk; chalky; as, cretaceous rocks and formations. See {Chalk}. [1913 Webster] 2. (Geol.) Of, pertaining to,… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
cretaceous — 1670s, adj., chalky, from L. cretaceus chalk like, from creta chalk. As a geological period (with a capital C ), it was first used 1832. The extensive chalk beds of southeastern England were laid down during the Cretaceous … Etymology dictionary
Cretaceous — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ relating to the last period of the Mesozoic era (between the Jurassic and Tertiary periods, about 146 to 65 million years ago), at the end of which dinosaurs and many other organisms died out. ORIGIN from Latin creta chalk … English terms dictionary
Cretaceous — /krəˈteɪʃəs / (say kruh tayshuhs) Geology –adjective 1. of or relating to the third and latest of the periods included in the Mesozoic era. –noun 2. Also, Cretaceous era. the Cretaceous period. 3. the system of strata deposited during the… …
Cretaceous — adjective Etymology: Latin cretaceus resembling chalk, from creta chalk Date: 1832 of, relating to, or being the last period of the Mesozoic era characterized by continued dominance of reptiles, emergent dominance of angiosperms, diversification… … New Collegiate Dictionary
cretaceous — cretaceously, adv. /kri tay sheuhs/, adj. 1. resembling or containing chalk. 2. (cap.) Geol. noting or pertaining to a period of the Mesozoic Era, from 140 million to 65 million years ago, characterized by the greatest development and subsequent… … Universalium
Cretaceous — Cre|ta|ceous [krıˈteıʃəs] adj [Date: 1600 1700; : Latin; Origin: cretaceus, from creta chalk ] the Cretaceous period was the time long ago when rocks containing ↑chalk were formed … Dictionary of contemporary English
cretaceous — cre·ta·ceous || krɪ teɪʃəs adj. chalky; like chalk; pertaining to the Cretaceous era (Geology) … English contemporary dictionary
