Conodont biostratigraphy in the Middle-Upper Ordovician boundary beds of Estonia

Conodonts of the uppermost Uhaku, the Kukruse, and the lower Haljala stages (uppermost Darriwilian and lower Sandbian) of Estonia are discussed. The distribution of conodonts within the Pygodus serra, P. anserinus, and Amorphognathus tvaerensis zones is considered on the basis of 2 outcrop and 15 drill core sections. Judging by the Global Stratotype Section, Fågelsång, Sweden, the base of the Upper Ordovician Series should be lower than the first appearance of A. tvaerensis. The Estonian material shows that elements of A. tvaerensis from the lowermost range of the species are of a morphotype similar to A. inaequalis. It is proposed that the A. inaequalis Subzone be upgraded to the A. inaequalis Zone. The best level for the Middle–Upper Ordovician boundary in Estonia is at the lower boundary of the Kukruse Stage below the appearance of A. tvaerensis and/or A. inaequalis.