Abstract:
The Lower Devonian strata are well exposed in Hami area of Xinjiang. Lower Devonian Dananhu Formation is located in Tulargen of southern study area, whereas the Lower Devonian Zuomubasitaw Formation is located in northern study area, Sandaobaiyanggou area. 5 species belonging to 2 genus rugosa corals and 12 species belonging to 7 genus tabulate corals were discovered in Dananhu Formation. Thus, one rugosa coral assemblage, i.e., Syringaxon moriense assemblage, and one tabulata coral assemblage, i.e., Pseudofavosites giganteus assemblage, were established in this formation. Also, 7 genus 5 species rugosa corals and 2 genus 2 species tabulate corals were collected from Zuomubasite Formation, and one rugosa coral assemblage, i.e., Orthopaterophyllum junggarense assemblage and one tabulata coral assemblage, i.e., Pachyfavosites junggarensis assemblage, can be recognized. Based on the stratigraphic distribution of these coral fauna and their correlation with previous records, the authors hold that Dananhu Formation in Tulargen area is Early Emisan in age and Zuomubasitaw Formation in Sandaobaiyanggou area is Middle-Late Emisan in age, respectively. Furthermore, the characteristics of coral fauna indicate typical temperate fauna during Early Devonian in Hami area, belonging palaeobiogeographically to the Junggar-Dahuricia province in Boreal realm.