First occurrence of charophyte algae from a Triassic Paleolake in Argentina and their paleoenvironmental context

► This is the first Charophyta record from the Triassic of Argentina and Gondwana. ► The charophyte bearing sequence consists mainly of microbialitic limestones. ► Charophytes occur in deposits interpreted as freshwater carbonate-rich ponds. ► The paleoecologic, paleoenvironmental and biogeographic context is analyzed. ► The finding of the taxa at 45°S extends its distribution into Gondwana.