The Lias/Dogger boundary in Iberia: Betic and Iberian cordilleras and Lusitanian basin

In this paper we present a synthesis on the Toarcian/Aalenian (Lias/Dogger) boundary in the Iberian Peninsula. We have selected in each domain the mos t representative areas and sections in which this boundary is represented : Fuentelsaz and Moyuela sections in the Iberian Cordillera, Sierra de Ricot e and Cerro Mendez in the Belie Cordillera, and Sao Giao in the Lusitanian Basin. In these areas the succession across the Toarcian/Aalenian boundary is represented mainly by pelagic grey marl-marly limestone rhythmites, whic h contain abundant and characteristic ammonites. The standard ammonite zone s of Aalensis (Mactra, Aalensis and Buckmani Subzones) for the uppermost Up per Toarcian, and Opalinum (Opalinum and Comptum Subzones) in the Lower Aal enian are recognised and characterised. Although the ammonite assemblages o f the Betic Cordillera are typical of the Mediterranean province, and the I berian and Lusitanian basins constitute a Sub-Mediterranean one, the ammoni te assemblages are similar in the three basins, with the only significant d ifference being that phylloceratids and lytoceratids are abundant in the Be tic domain and are scarcer in the other basins.