A fossilized molar of an extinct hoofed mammal that lived about 40 million years ago is being systematically preserved at the Pondaung Fossil Collection of the Ministry Culture, Hotels and Tourism in Nay Pyi Taw, according to statements issued by Native Species Conservation & Identification (NSCI) on 19 September. The fossilized tooth was discovered during a field survey conducted in 2022 in the Pondaung Formation in Myaing Township, Magway Region. The fossil is a lower last molar measuring approximately 14.8 millimetres in length and 9.2 millimetres in width.
A similar tooth was discovered in 2000, but it was broken and damaged. The latest specimen, however, was found intact and in a more complete condition. Based on this discovery, a team of Myanmar and international researchers, including Stéphane Ducrocq, Aung Naing Soe, Chit Sein, Yaowalak Chaimanee, Olivier Chavasseau and Jean-Jacques Jaeger, conducted research and published a paper identifying it as a new species.
According to the researchers’ estimates, the tooth dates from the Middle Eocene and belonged to an animal that became extinct about 40 million years ago. The hoofed mammal has been named Neochorlakkia myaingensis. It belonged to the extinct family Dichobunidae and the group Mammalia/Cetartiodactyla.
Most ancient fossils of extinct species found in Myanmar are usually discovered in amber, making the discovery of a well-preserved fossil in the ground, as in this case, extremely rare. The fossilized molar is currently recorded as Specimen No MFP-PK2-2019-003 and is being preserved and displayed at the Pondaung Fossil Collection of the Ministry of Culture in Nay Pyi Taw. — TWA/KNN
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