More than 20 characteristic conodont faunas have been recognized in North American Mississippian rocks. Although best known in the Mississippi Valley and southwestern Missouri, they are widespread on the continent.

Six zones and four subzones in the Kinderhookian Series are based on lineages of Siphonodella and Gnathodus. A succession of primitive gnathodids in the lowermost part of the series—Protognathodus meischneri, P. kockeli and P. kuehni—matches that in the lower part of the Gattendorfia-Stufe in Germany.

The occurrence of Gnathodus punctatus in Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas identifies the youngest Kinderhookian and protably correlates with the lower part of the...