The most primitive lower tetrapod fauna in China

A comprehensive analysis of the fauna indicates that three vertebrate assem blage zones existed in the Upper Permian of China. Among them the Dashankou lower tetrapod fauna consisting mainly of therapsids is the most primitive and abundant one. It is more closely related to Zone II of Russia than to the Eodicynodon Assemblage Zone of South Africa. Zone II of Russia in the L ate Permian played a role of bridge for the dispersal of tetrapods from Nor th America to South Africa and China at that time.