The first discovery of the middle Lochkovian (Devonian) conodonts in South Gobi, Mongolia

Abstract

The Tsagaanbulag Formation of the Ulaan-Shand section in the Shine Jinst area was assigned to Silurian (Wenlock-Pridoli) previously. But the present authors have found some very important conodonts, including Lanea omoalpha, Amydrotaxis johnsoni, "Ozarkodina" planililingua, Pedavis sp., from the Tsagaanbulag and Amansair formations, clearly indicating that these two formations should be assigned to middle Lochkovian which are widely distributed in China and Mongolia. The existence of the marine Wenlockain and early Ludlovian deposits in Mongolia is a noteworthy problem.