Silurian conodont biostratigraphy of the Laojianshan section, Baoshan, Yunnan Province, SW China

The Baoshan region of Yunnan Province, SW China, is one of the best locations to study Wenlock to Pridoli conodonts in China. Detailed analysis of conodont collections from the Silurian strata (the “Lichaiba” and Niushiping formations) of the Laojianshan section in the Baoshan region resulted in revised dating of the section. In stratigraphically ascending order, the Pterospathodus amorphognathoides amorphognathoides Zonal Group, the Pterospathodus pennatus procerus Superbiozone (probably only the Lower Pterospathodus pennatus procerus Biozone), the Ozarkodina sagitta sagitta Biozone, the Kockelella ortus absidata Biozone, the Kockelella crassa Biozone, the Polygnathoides siluricus Biozone and the “Ozarkodina” eosteinhornensis s.l. Interval Biozone are recognised. The conodont faunas recovered indicate that the “Lichaiba Formation” corresponds to the upper Telychian–upper Wenlock, and the Niushiping Formation to the Ludlow–Pridoli. Part of the Ireviken Event, that is, from Datum 3 to Datum 4 can be recognised from the studied section. The late Telychian conodont fauna from the Laojianshan section is characteristic of distal, open‐shelf depositional environments.