The Carboniferous in Guizhou may be divided into 3 lithostratigraphic regions, 2 series and 7 stages. TheLower Carboniferous is composed of 4 regional stages, 1 foraminifer assemblage, 4 fossil coral zones (with 9subzones) and 11 brachiopod assemblages; the Upper Carboniferous is divided into 3 regional. stages, 9fusulinid zones (with 2 subzones) and 4 ammonite zones. Based on the studies of foraminifers and conodonts.the base of the Carboniferous in Guizhou 1s placed at least near the top of the coral Cystophrentis zone.