These elements can be used alternatively to or in correlation with other types of fossils (graptolites, trilobites, ammonites, ...) in the subfield of the stratigraphy named biostratigraphy.
Currently the first appearance of E. notchpeakensis is favored by many authors because it is globally widespread and is independent of facies (known from continental rise to peritidal environments).
The base of the Darriwilian, the fourth stage of the Ordovician, lies just above the North Atlantic Microzarkodina parva conodont zone.
Officially its start is defined by the potentially lowest occurrence of the conodont Protoprioniodus aranda or Baltoniodus triangularis.
Finally, the Late Devonian starts with the Frasnian, 382.7 ± 2.8 to 372.2 ± 2.5, followed by the Famennian subdivision, the beginning and end of which are marked with extinction events.
During that stage, a biologic event occurred (Upper Kellwasser Extinction of all Ancyrodella and Ozarkodina and most Palmatolepis, Polygnathus and Ancyrognathus).
The Famennian (372.2 ± 1.6 mya) is defined by a GSSP Golden Spike located at Coumiac quarry, Montagne Noire, France where there is a biologic abundant occurrence of Palmatolepis triangularis.
The Kasimovian is subdivided into three conodont biozones: The base of the Gzhelian, the youngest age of the Pennsylvanian, is at the first appearance of Streptognathodus zethus.
The Asselian contains five conodont biozones: The base of the Sakmarian stage is laid with the first appearance of Streptognathodus postfusus in the fossil record.
The top of the Sakmarian (the base of the Artinskian) is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where fossils of Sweetognathus whitei and Mesogondolella bisselli first appear.
The base of the Artinskian stage is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where fossils of Sweetognathus whitei and Mesogondolella bisselli first appear.
The top of the Kungurian (the base of the Roadian and the Guadalupian series) is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where fossils of Jinogondolella nanginkensis first appear.
The Kungurian contains three conodont biozones: The base of the Roadian is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where fossils of Jinogondolella nankingensis first appears.
The top of the Wordian (the base of the Capitanian stage) is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where Jinogondolella postserrata first appears.