Bangkok, July 26 – Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources revealed. Thailand discovered a new type of dinosaur in the world "Mini-Mocursor" Phu Noi Ensis", which means "small runner from Phu Noi Source", discovered at the Phu Noi Fossil Source. Kalasin Province Is a small herbivorous dinosaur, 150 million years old, is considered the 13th dinosaur in Thailand.

Mrs. Oranuch Lorphensri, Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources, together with Associate Professor Mongkol Udchachon, Director of the Center for Paleontology Research and Education. Mahasarakham University announced the discovery of a new type of dinosaur in the world. “Mini-Mocursor Phu Noi ensis "(Minimocursor phunoiensis), which is the 13th dinosaur in Thailand.

Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources said that “Mini-Mocursor Phu Noi Ensis” was discovered at the Phu Noi fossil site. Kalasin Province It is a small plant-eating dinosaur. Classified in the avian or Ornithischian pelvis group. (Ornithischia) found in the Phu Kradueng Formation. Late Jurassic period The Department of Mineral Resources conducts research in collaboration with the Paleontology Research and Education Center. Mahasarakham University explores, excavates, studies, and researches fossils in the Phu Noi excavation area. Kalasin Province for many decades

For the Phu Noi fossil site, Din Chi Sub-district, Kham Muang District, Kalasin Province, with an area of 1,200 square meters, researchers have found the completeness of fossil samples. “Mini-Mocursor Phu Noi Ensis” is one of the most complete skeletons in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

In addition, it was found together with more than 5,000 other types of vertebrate fossils, including freshwater sharks, lung fish, turtles, crocodiles, and amphibians. Flying reptiles, freshwater mollusks, and petrified wood. including both herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaur species Which is a new species of animals in the world up to 8 species, making Phu Noi known as "Jurassic Park, Thailand" where the largest and most biodiverse vertebrate fossils found in Southeast Asia

Associate Professor Mongkol Udchachon, Director of Paleontology Research and Education Center Mahasarakham University said that this Phu Noi fossil site is a research area for vertebrate fossils with high potential. Previously, as many as seven new species of the world have been discovered published in academic papers in international journals with Department of Mineral Resources and experts from abroad And this dinosaur is the 8th type from Phu Noi source. It is also the first new dinosaur species in the area of Kalasin Geopark.

The discovery of the 13th new dinosaur species in Thailand. There is a scientific name that “Mini-Mocursor Phu Noi Ensis", which means "small runner from Phu Noi field", indicates a prototype fossil (holotype) which took more than 5 years to preserve the specimen and is very special.

For this fossil is preserved in the form of a skeleton arranged together, consisting of skull fragments. cervical vertebrae to caudal base, left hand, pelvis both hind legs even the spinal ligaments It is one of the most complete dinosaur fossils in Southeast Asia. And it is the first officially named dinosaur of the Phu Kradueng Formation. The unique characteristic of this species of dinosaur is that it has bird-like hips. An evolutionary genealogy analysis reveals that it is the earliest Neo-Ornithischian dinosaur in Southeast Asia. being close to other small relatives that lived during the middle to late Jurassic period in China and Russia

The world's new vertebrate fossils discovered all 8 species.

In the Phu Noi fossil source area, Din Chi Subdistrict, Kalasin Province

1. Freshwater shark Acrodus kalasinensis

2. Predatory fish, Isanichthys lertboosi

3. Lung fish Ferganoceratodus annekempae

4. Turtle Phunoichelys Thirakhupti (Phunoichelys thirakhupti)

5. Tao Kalasin Nemis Prasart Thong Osathi (Kalasinemys prasarttongosothi)

6. Crocodile Indocinosucus Potamo Siam Essence (Indosinosuchus potamosiamensis)

7. Crocodile Indocinosucus Kalasin Ensis (Indosinosuchus kalasinensis)

8. Herbivorous Dinosaurs Minimocursor phunoiensis

At present, the Department of Mineral Resources has announced the area of Phu Noi fossil site as a registered fossil site of the country. Since January 14, 2020, it is expected that there are still many more fossils under the rock layer. The development of the area in the form of integration with other natural and cultural heritage sites that are unique to Kalasin Province will help promote the Kalasin Geopark to become a geopark at the national level in the future. Thailand

Source: Thai News Agency