Palaeogene Biostratigraphic Characteristics of Red Basins In Western Henan and Its Adjacent Areas, With an Outline of Palaeogene Palaeobiogeographic Provinces of China

Abstract This article is a preliminary summary of Paleogene biostratigraphy of the Liguanqiao, Tantou and Yuanqu basins, with a new proposal for Paleogene paleobiogeographic provinces of China. On the basis of a synthetic analysis of the geological data, characters of the mammalian assemblages and their comparisons with other corresponding faunas, a new scheme on Paleogene biostratigraphic subdivision of the basins has been put forward here. Based on differences of biostratigraphic sequences, characteristics of mammalian assemblages and directions of faults controlling Paleogene basins in China, six Paleogene paleobiogeographic provinces of China have been proposed in this paper, that is: Tianshan‐Yinshan‐Tumen Province; Tarim‐North China Province; Kunlun‐Qinling Province; Yangtze Province; Nanling and Southeastern Coastal Province; Qinghai and Tibet Province.