lowermost of two divisions of the Middle Triassic Series, representing those rocks deposited worldwide during Anisian time (245 million to 237 million years ago) in the Triassic Period. The stage name is derived from an area of limestone formations along the Anisus River at Grossreifling in the Austrian Alps. The Anisian Stage is subdivided, in ascending order, into the Aegean, Bithynian, Pelsonian, and Illyrian substages. Anisian marine strata are correlated worldwide by seven biozones (biozone) containing ammonoid cephalopod index fossils. All these biozones have designated type localities in North America. These zones cannot be used for nonmarine strata, however. The Anisian Stage underlies the Ladinian Stage of the Middle Triassic Series and overlies the Olenekian Stage of the Lower Triassic Series.