Fossil gastropods discovered in Masungi Georeserve could be the first and oldest of its kind. (Photo from Masungi Georeserve)
MANILA, Philippines — Fossil gastropods, which is a class of mollusk, were discovered in Masungi Georeserve by researchers from the University of the Philippines – National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS).
In a Facebook post from the Masungi Georeserve, the researchers said the fossilized gastropods could be the “first and oldest” in the Philippines.
“The UP-NIGS researchers are expected to do a follow-up field investigation within the year to further examine the fossils, determine its exact age, and to prove if this could be the first and oldest fossil record of this type of mollusk in the country,” said the Masungi Georeserve in their post.
According to the Masungi Georeserve, the gastropods discovered were rare, having been able to survive in the ocean, freshwater environments, and land around 60 million years ago.
“The presence of these fossilized gastropods indicates how the Masungi landscape was submerged underwater about 60 million years ago,” explained the wildlife sanctuary.
Back in July, the UP-NIGS researchers also discovered traces and fossilized remains of marine protists, a eukaryotic organism that is neither animal, plant, or fungus.
The researchers who made the discovery were Allan Gil Fernando, Alyssa Peleo-Alampay, Leopoldo de Silva, Jr., and Joaquin Miguel Lacson, said the Masungi Georeserve.
Following the discovery, the Masungi Georeserve emphasized protecting the park against threats like encroachment.
“The recent discovery underscores the importance of protecting the limestone formations which are located between the Upper Marikina Watershed and Kaliwa Watershed, as well as within the National Park created through Presidential Proclamation 1636 in 1977,” said the Masungi Georeserve.