Devonian palaeobiogeographic affinities of Afghanistan and surrounding areas (Iran, Pakistan)

•Comparison between different parts of Cimmerian terranes during Devonian time.•Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan lithology and faunal occurrences are compared.•Authors conclude for large affinity and very narrow basin (ocean) during Devonian time.

Palaeozoic (Devonian) outcrops in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries (Iran, Pakistan) are numerous but very sparsely distributed, and poorly known. The first interpretation, based on rare or poor data considered these North Gondwanan terranes as poorly connected and some authors have suggested the presence of large oceanic domains in palaeogeographical models. Increase in knowledge, especially of the distribution of main fossils groups, and also some lithological similarities, allow a review of the preliminary models and the identification of connections between the different terranes. For example the presence of Fistuliporid Bryozoan beds or rich Receptaculites levels in different sections of the three countries, especially in the Dasht-e Nawar and Central Iran areas, allows the preliminary models to be reviewed and the connections among the different terranes to be clarified.