Chula boffins unearth ancient microsnail fossil
>>A fossil belonging to a new species of microsnail has been recovered from the sea in Samut Sakhon, a team of researchers say.
The discovery was made by Chatchalerm Ketwetsuriya, professor of Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University and Pongrat Dumrongrojwattana, a researcher with the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Burapha Univesity, as well as a team of geologists from Department of Mineral Resources.
They discovered a fossil of the microsnail called Orbitestella amphaengensis Ketwetsuriya & Dumrongrojwattana, 2021 under the sea off tambon Amphaeng in Ban Phaeo district, Samut Sakhon. In Thai, it is called Hoy ampaeng.
Mr Chatchelerm said the one-millimetre-wide shell belonged to a microsnail. Its distinctive, multi-layered shell shows off a striking pattern on the outer surface.
The new species is the most ancient of its kind is found in Thailand, according to the expert. The shell was found eight metres deep and 12 metres from the shore in Samut Sakhon.
It was discovered alongside skeletons and remains of more than 30 other species of marine life. They include a 3,380-year-old whale’s skeleton, shark teeth, carcasses of stingray, crabs, and aquatic plants that thrived along the coastline in ancient times.
The marine life buried under the seabed provide crucial geological evidence into the changes in sea levels along the coasts of Thailand thousands of years ago. They also provide a clue about the conditions of the environment, ecology as well as biodiversity in the lower Chao Phraya River basin.
The team said the new discoveries would also be useful for research into climate change.