The oldest goniatite faunas and their stratigraphical significance

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Abstract
The oldest known Lower Devonian goniatite faunas, which can be called Anetoceras faunas, are of Zlichovian (in most cases apparently upper Zlichovian) age. They include the goniatite fauna of the upper Zlichovian in the Barrandian. The well known fauna of the Hunsruck Shale, hitherto regarded as the oldest, also belongs here. Analogous goniatite assemblages are known from several other European regions, from North Africa, Asia Minor, the Urals, Central Asia, NE part of the USSR, North America (Nevada) and SE Australia. The distinctive feature of these faunas is the occurrence of the genera Anetoceras (including Erbenoceras), Mimosphinctes, Palaeogoniatites, Teicherticeras (including Convoluticeras). They show the 1st appearance of Mimagoniatites, Gyroceratites and Pseudobactrites. They may be contrasted with younger goniatite faunas particularly by their lack of anarcestids. The wide distribution of the Anetoceras faunas and their distinctive character permit wide-reaching, even intercontinental correlations of the upper Zlichovian. This is an important episode in Devonian biostratigraphy. Graptolites had become extinct and the development of goniatites was beginning.

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