Ancient primate discovery | Bangkok Post: learning

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It took some time, but scientists have now identified a set of fossilised remains found in Lampang in 2005.

An official compares the fossilised molar teeth of the tarsier set inside a dummy skull with a model of the primate at a press conference yesterday. The tarsier was identified from fossils found in a coal mine in Lampang’s Mae Mo district. APICHART JINAKUL

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Ancient primate discovery

It took some time, but scientists have now identified a set of fossilised remains found in Lampang in 2005.

Geologists have confirmed that they belong to an ancient species of primate that lived 13 million years ago.

Taowaluck Chaimanee, head of the geology team at the Mineral Resources Department, said the fossils, belonging to the world's biggest tarsier species, were proof that the province was fertile land during ancient times.

She said the tarsiers, given the scientific name Tarsius sirindhornae, in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, weighed between 90-180 grammes.

The remains suggest that the animal had large eye sockets. Its ankle bones were particularly long meaning that it was likely able to jump quite far. Its hands were flat with long fingers and claws. The animal was likely an omnivore and spent most of its life on trees and only hunted for food such as insects at night. It could move its head the same way a human does.

Modern tarsiers can be found in Indonesia and the Philippines. They have large eyes with long back legs and a long tail.

"A series of fossil discoveries in the country confirms our biodiversity since ancient times," Ms Taowaluck said.

Pornthip Pancharoen, chief of the Department of Mineral Resources, said the department has a policy to develop fossil sites into geo-parks to protect the discoveries.

The department is developing geo-parks in Satun and Khon Kaen provinces.
 
Adapted from a story by Apinya Wipatayotin in today’s Bangkok Post. Additional information from NNT.

fossil – the remains of an animal or a plant which have become hard and turned into rock ซากพืชหรือสัตว์ที่เป็นหิน, ซากฟอสซิล
fossilise – to become or make something become a fossil
molar – any of the twelve large teeth at the back of the mouth used for crushing and chewing food ฟันกราม
dummy – a thing that seems to be real but is only a copy of the real thing หุ่นจำลอง
skull – the bones of the head  กระโหลกศีรษะ
primate – a member of the most developed and intelligent group of mammals, including humans, monkeys and apes สัตว์เลี้ยงลูกด้วยนม
press conference – news conference; an official meeting where someone makes a formal statement about a particular issue or event to journalists and answers their questions about it การแถลงข่าว
identify – to recognise something and understand what it is ระบุชื่อ
mine – a deep hole or holes under the ground where minerals such as coal, gold, etc. are dug  เหมืองแร่
ancient – very old ที่เก่าแก่ ที่โบราณ
discovery – an act or the process of finding somebody/something, or learning about something that was not known about before การค้นพบ
remains – the body of parts of a body of a person or animal that has died ซากศพ
geologist – a scientist who studies the earth, including the origin and history of the rocks and soil of which the earth is made นักธรณีวิทยา
species – a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other พันธ์,จำพวก
mineral – a valuable or useful chemical substance which is formed naturally in the ground แร่
(natural) resources –  things such as coal, trees, wildlife and oil that exist in nature and can be used by people ทรัพยากรธรรมชาติ
proof – information, documents, etc. that show that something is true  การพิสูจน์
fertile - describes land that can produce a large number of good quality crops อุดมสมบูรณ์
socket – a curved hollow space in the surface of something that another part fits into or moves around in เบ้าปลั๊กตัวเมีย
eye socket – the curved hollow space in the face where the eye fits เบ้าตา
ankle – the part at the bottom of your leg where your foot joins your leg ข้อเท้า
claw – the sharp curved end of a front leg of some  animal’s toes อุ้งมือ อุ้งเท้า
omnivore – an animal or a person that eats all types of food, especially both plants and meat คนหรือสัตว์ที่กินทั้งพืชและสัตว์เป็นอาหาร
insect – any small creature with six legs and a body divided into three parts. Insects usually also have wings. Ants, bees and flies are all insects แมลง, แมง
series – several events or things of a similar kind that happen one after the other  สิ่งที่ต่อเนื่องกัน, อนุกรม, ลำดับ
biodiversity – the existence of a large number of different kinds of animals and plants which make a balanced environment การมีจำนวนสัตว์และพืชหลากหลายและจำนวนมาก
site – a place where something is located  สถานที่
protect – to make sure that somebody/something is not harmed, injured, damaged, etc ป้องกัน,อารักขา,คุ้มกัน

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