The discovery of Early Permian rugose coral Cyathaxonia faunas from Kangkelin Formation in Southwest Tianshan Mountains and its geological significance

Abundant small solitary corals without dissepiments were found in the strata of 3rd member of Kangkelin Formation within Karaqi area, and identification shows that these fossils include 11 genera with 23 species in total. On the basis of the characteristics of these corals and the stratigraphic distribution, the Amplexocaniaia-Tachylasma-Bradyphyllum assemblage can be established, belonging to the Early Permian Zisongian stage or Asselian stage. It is also suggested that the environment belonged to a carbonate platform-basin transition depositional environment, where the water was deeper than 100m.