Lower Devonian biostratigraphic correlation in Eastern Australia and Western North America

Savage, N. M.: Lower Devonian biostratigraphic correlation in Eastern Australia and Western North America.
Correlation of Lower Devonian marine strata of Eastern Australia and Western North America can be attempted using several fossil groups. In general the faunas are similar, with many species common to both areas. Graptolites occur infrequently, but are of great value because of their precise zonal significance. Several of these graptolites occur in the classic type sequences of Bohemia but are absent from the Rhineland stages. For this reason, and because of the Bohemian affinities of the shelly faunas, the Bohemian stage names are preferable to the Rhenish names for use in Eastern Australia and Western North America. Cono-donts are less precise index fossils than graptolites, but are considerably more abundant and therefore have greater application. Brachiopods are valuable if viewed as assemblages. In terms of the Rhenish stages, most Eastern Australian and Western North American early Lower Devonian formations appear to have been placed too high. Recent evidence from northern Canada throws new light on the problem of correlating Rhenish and Bohemian classic early Lower Devonian stages.