Fossilized pig mold in amber 30 million years

Ancient blocks intact fossil intact pig mold, invertebrates in the Tertiary have many mites and water bears.

Pig fossil mold.(Photo: Fox News).

The researchers discovered the fossil of a invertebrate animal nicknamed "mold pig" in the 30 million-year-old amber block in Myanmar. These tiny creatures are no more than 100 micrometers long, grow by molting and eating mushrooms. They share some characteristics with mites and water bears, but have never been seen before, so experts say they are new species.

Researcher George Poinar Jr. at the University of Oregon, USA, the new creature is named Sialomorpha dominicana , a combination of sialos (fat pig) and morphe (shape) in Greek. "Mold pigs do not belong to any group of invertebrates that exist today. Several hundred fossilized pig fossils preserved in amber share a hot, humid environment with fake scorpions, nematodes, fungi and animals. protozoa , " Poinar said.

Research results indicate that the mold only existed in the middle of the Tertiary period, the period that started 65 million years ago and lasted more than 63 million years. Researchers can only detect mold pigs under a microscope. They have flexible heads and 4 pairs of legs. At the end of each of their legs there are no such as ticks and water bears, according to Poinar.