Abstract: Brachiopods in the Silurian Dianbei Formation and Fentou Formation of the Xiushui area may be divided in ascending order into the Merciella Zygospiraella assemblage, Nalivkina Striispirifer assemblage and Xinanospirifer Valdaria assemblage, which can be correlated very well with the brachiopod zones in Sichuan and Guizhou. On the basis of the brachiopod ecological differentiation, coexisting elements and sedimentary facies, 4 brachiopod ecological types are recognized, and the two formations are ascertained as middle and inner shelf deposits.