Lower carboniferous zones and correlations based on faunas from the Gresford‐Dungog district, New South Wales

Abstract

Abstract Three Lower Carboniferous marine faunal zones and one faunal assemblage are recognized in the Gresford‐Dungog district, New South Wales following a faunal and stratigraphical study of the region. In ascending order they are the ?Thomasaria voiseyi Assemblage Zone, the Schellwienella cf. burlingtonensis Fauna, the Werriea australis Assemblage Zone and the Delepinea aspinosa Assemblage Zone. They are correlated with the Lower Carboniferous zones of Germany as follows: ?Thomasaria voiseyi Assemblage Zone—Cu IIα, Schellwienella cf. burlingtonensis Fauna—Cu IIα to Cu IIβ; Werriea australis Assemblage Zone—Cu IIδ to Cu IIIα; and Delepinea aspinosa Assemblage Zone— Cu IIIα to Cu IIIβ. The zones are recognized in a belt of country extending from Newcastle to Gunnedah in New South Wales, resulting in correlations being made between formations in the Gresford‐Dungog district and those in the Bulahdelah‐Port Stephens, Clarencetown and Werrie‐Belvue regions. Diagnostic species from the zones occur in the Yar...