Abstract Based on tectonic, lithological and biotic features, 11 regions may be recognized in the Devonian Period of China. The Junggar and Hinggan regions are characterized by thick sequences of clastic rocks associated with volcanic rocks; carbonate deposits were only local, sometimes consisting of isolated reefs. The Tarim region was characterized by intertidal sandstones on the platform and deeper water deposits in its marginal areas. The North China region was mostly barren of Devonian deposits except in some marginal areas, and the Qilian–Qaidam region was a mountainous region mostly with Middle and Upper Devonian continental sediments. Qinling Region was closely related with the South China Region in terms of faunal affinity, probably being a marginal area of the South China Plate. Western Yunnan and the major part of Xizang (including northern Xizang and the northern slope of the Himalayas) featured continuous Silurian–Devonian deposition, generally with carbonates in the Lower Devonian, and different lithologies in different regions for the Middle and Late Devonian. Qinling and Hoh Xil-Bayan Har regions were closely related with the South China Region, yielding common fossils such as brachiopods Stringocephalus and Yunnanella (= Nayunnella ) faunas. The Devonian Period of South China comprised deposits of two large transgressive–regressive cycles: Lochkovian to Eifelian and late Eifelian to about the end of the Devonian Period.

Abstract: Permian rugose corals underwent evolutionary episodes of assemblage changeover, biogeographical separation and extinction, which are closely related to geological events during this time. Two coral realms were recognized, the Tethyan Realm and the Cordilleran–Arctic–Uralian Realm. These are characterized by the families Kepingophyllidae and Waagenophyllidae during the Cisuralian, Waagenophyllidae in the Guadalupian and the subfamily Waagenophyllinae in the Lopingian, and the families Durhaminidae and Kleopatrinidae during the Cisuralian and major disappearance of colonial and dissepimented solitary rugose corals from the Guadalupian to the Lopingian, respectively. The development of these coral realms is controlled by the geographical barrier resulting from the Pangaea formation. According to the changes in the composition and diversity of the Permian rugose corals, a changeover event might have occurred at the end-Sakmarian and is characterized by the mixed Pennsylvanian and Permian faunas to typical Permian faunas, probably related to a global regression. In addition, three extinction events are present at the end-Kungurian, the end-Guadalupian and the end-Permian, which are respectively triggered by the northward movement of Pangaea, the Emeishan volcanic eruptions and subsequent global regression, and the global climate warming induced by the Siberian Traps eruption.

Abstract In Belgium, the Lower Kellwasser Event (LKW) corresponds to the relative sea-level maximum of the first (‘Aisemont sequence’ (AS)) of the two late Frasnian third-order sequences that are recognized here, but the Upper Kellwasser Event (UKW) may have been triggered by a series of tsunamites. The end of the middle Frasnian carbonate platform and reefs is caused by the sea-level drop and emersion of the last middle Frasnian third-order sequence (‘Lion sequence’) in the Lower rhenana Zone. The end of the ‘Petit-Mont’ mudmound growth during the transgressive (TST) and highstand (HST) systems tracts of the AS was caused by sea-level fall and emersion at the top of this sequence. The coral and brachiopod extinction in the Upper rhenana Zone, during the second late Frasnian third-order sequence (‘Lambermont sequence’ (LS)), is progressive and due to the widespread development of the dysoxic and anoxic facies, before the UKW. Only the LS TST has been identified. No sea-level fall has been recognized in relation to the UKW or near the Frasnian–Famennian boundary. The late Frasnian extinctions are more likely to be related to the decrease in the atmospheric oxygen rate and its impact on marine environments and, to complete, the UKW.