The palynology of the Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic in the Algarve and Lusitanian basins, Portugal

High-resolution palynological analyses from the Algarve and Lusitanian basins (Portugal) provide a refined biostratigraphical framework and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction for the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic transition. In the Algarve Basin, three new palynozones (AT, SC, and CP) characterise the Silves Group from the early Carnian to early Hettangian, documenting the first Iberian occurrence of Tulesporites briscoensis and precisely delineating the Triassic–Jurassic Boundary (TJB). In the Lusitanian Basin, three palynozones (CG, IK, and Pm) constrain the Conraria and Pereiros formations to the Norian–Hettangian, with the TJB located at the base of the Pereiros Formation. Palaeoenvironmental reconstructions reveal distinct basin-specific evolutions. The Algarve Basin records an early transition from fluvial (Silves Sandstones) to marginal-marine (lagoonal and pond) settings, evidenced by abundant upper Carnian algal elements and reworked Neoproterozoic algae. Conversely, the Lusitanian Basin reflects a Norian-Hettangian marginal-marine, river-dominated setting, with microforaminiferal linings at the base of the Pereiros Formation marking the earliest marine transgression in the Lusitanian Basin. Quantitatively, both basins show a persistent dominance of xerophytic taxa, indicating a shift toward warmer, seasonally dry conditions across the TJB. Malformed sporomorphs in both records suggest environmental stress potentially linked to Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) activity. Comparative analysis reveals that sedimentation initiated earlier in the Algarve (early Carnian) than in the Lusitanian Basin (Norian), suggesting diachronous development during Pangaea breakup. The assemblages show strong affinities with the Onslow Microflora, highlighting the Portuguese margin as a key archive for western Tethyan floral and climatic evolution. • New six palynozones date the Silves Group in Portugal. • Earlier sedimentation in the south confirms diachronous rifting in Portugal. • The Algarve Basin transitioned to sabkhas while the Lusitanian stayed estuarine. • Malformed sporomorphs track the environmental impact of CAMP at the TJB. • Reworked material indicate a Variscan barrier between the two drainage systems.