ABSTRACT
A summary of the palaeosynecological development during the Upper Anisian of Qingyan (Guizhou Province, SW-China) is based on quantitative analyses of different successive fossil associations. A facies of deeper water with only few pelagic organisms developed into a shallow marine facies characterized by very rich, highly diverse benthic communities. Initially, several brachiopod-dorrunated communities of relatively low diversity were established. Later, highly diverse communities dominated by small bivalves and gastropods began to flourish. These very probably were bound to meadows of macroalgae. After some fluctuations and another alternation of these two types of communities, the facies developed in response to deeper-water conditions with only few pelagic organisms.
