ABSTRACT
Two matrices of presence/absence data of brachiopod genera from Oman, Central Afghanistan, Karakorum, Salt Range, Peninsular India and South Thailand in two different time intervals (Early and Middle Permian) have been analysed by multivariate methods. Cluster analysis, principal coordinate analysis, nonmetric multidimensional scaling, minimum spanning trees and bond analyses led to the recognition of one province in the Sakmarian (Westralian Province) and two provinces in the Roadian-Wordian (Sibumasu and newly named Transhimalayan Provinces). This dynamic approach showed the evolution of brachiopod provinciality from Early to Middle Permian, which is related to the opening of the Neotethys and to the climatic amelioration following the Gondwana deglaciation.
