Scientists confirm ancient rhino species

Fossil remains found by a team of paleontologists in Nakhon Ratchasima have been confirmed to belong to an ancient rhino species.

The scientific name of the species, which lived during the Late Miocene period 7.5-6.0 million years ago, is Aceratherium porpani.

The fossils, including a complete skull and two mandibles, were found at a sand quarry near the Moon River in Chalerm Phrakiat district of Nakhon Ratchasima around 10 years ago by locals. The fossils were then passed on to Porpan Vatchajitpan, a former Chulalongkorn University lecturer.

The lecturer donated the fossils to the Northeastern Research Institute of Petrified Wood & Mineral Resources (RIPM) atNakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University in 2009.

The geologist team, led by RIPM director Pratueng Jintasakul, has since carried out a study of the fossils together with Chinese paleontologist Deng Tao,

a rhino expert from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing.

The team concluded the specimens belonged to a hornless rhino with a flat skull and broad molars that differed from two other ancient rhino species.

The rhino was accepted as a new species. Aceratherium porpani is named after Mr Porpan.