Scientists have discovered fossils of a suspected new elephant species dating back about 10 million years.
The scientists from the Northeastern Research Institute of Petrified Wood and Mineral Resources of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University found seven pieces of fossil tooth in Nakhon Ratchasima's Chalerm Phrakiat district about 10 years ago.
"The fossils are different from other ancient elephants found in Egypt, Kenya, Europe and China," said Chavalit Vidthayanon, deputy director of the institute.
"This is the first time we have found such a species in Thailand," he said, adding the discovery was being checked for publication in an international journal.
The elephant was thought to have lived in the late Miocene period, around 10 million years ago and to be in the Zygolophodon genus. There are 11 ancient elephant genes found in the Moon River basin.
The institute's scientists earlier found more than 50 fossil species at sand quarries near the river.
Source: Bangkok Post [June 02, 2011]
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| A fossil tooth from a suspected newly discovered species of ancient elephant in the Zygolophodon genus [Credit: Bangkok Post] |
"The fossils are different from other ancient elephants found in Egypt, Kenya, Europe and China," said Chavalit Vidthayanon, deputy director of the institute.
"This is the first time we have found such a species in Thailand," he said, adding the discovery was being checked for publication in an international journal.
The elephant was thought to have lived in the late Miocene period, around 10 million years ago and to be in the Zygolophodon genus. There are 11 ancient elephant genes found in the Moon River basin.
The institute's scientists earlier found more than 50 fossil species at sand quarries near the river.
Source: Bangkok Post [June 02, 2011]
