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Bighead
carp: dari 5 sampai 150 cm dalam 37 juta tahun
Bighead carp: From 5 to 150 centimeters in 37 million years
Date:
March 12,
2014
Source:
Senckenberg Research Institute and
Natural History Museum
Summary:
During excavations in the open lignite-mining pit Na
Duong in Vietnam, scientists discovered the world’s oldest bighead carp. With a
length of only 5 centimeters, Planktophaga minuta is also the smallest known
fossil representative of this East Asian group. Modern bighead carp are among
the largest members of the carp family, reaching a length of up to 1.5 meters
and a weight of 50 kilograms.
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During excavations in the open lignite-mining pit Na Duong
in Vietnam, a joint team from the University of Tübingen and the Senckenberg
Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment Tübingen discovered the
world's oldest bighead carp. With a length of only 5 centimeters, Planktophaga minuta is also the
smallest known fossil representative of this East Asian group. Modern bighead
carp are among the largest members of the carp family, reaching a length of up
to 1.5 meters and a weight of 50 kilograms.
Since 2008,
an international research team led by Prof. Dr. Madelaine Böhme from the
Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment (HEP) of the
University of Tübingen has been studying prehistoric ecosystems and fossils in
Vietnam. In the course of this research the scientists discovered approximately
37 million-year-old sediments from Lake RhinChua, dating to the late Eocene.
These freshwater sediments contained a wealth of fossilized animals and plants;
hence, Lake RhinChua is also referred to as the "Asian Messel" by the
researchers.
During their
studies the team discovered teeth belonging to an entirely new genus and
species of fish: The oldest known bighead carp, Planktophaga minuta, is
a representative of the "East Asian group of Leuciscinae." With a
length of ca. 5 centimeters it is the smallest fossil representative of this
East Asian group, and a mere dwarf compared to its modern living relatives.
Modern bighead carp are among the largest members of the carp family. They grow
up to a length of 1.5 meters and can weigh in at 50 kilograms.
Planktophaga
minuta and its
relatives
Besides Planktophaga
minuta (which translates to small plankton eater), an additional six
species of carp have been discovered in Lake RhinChua. All of them have living
relatives that are still found today in China's Pearl and Yangtze River system.
This is proof that the roots of the modern freshwater fish fauna in Southeast
Asia reach far into the past.
Bighead carp
in exile
Originally,
the bighead carp was native to the larger rivers and stagnant water bodies of
southern China. During the 1960s, bighead carp were introduced in Europe,
including Germany, as a means to control aquatic plants. Only later did
researchers discover that the bighead carp failed to "fulfill this
task," since they mainly feed on animal plankton. In Europe, introduced
bighead carp can be found in ponds, lakes and occasionally in streams and
rivers.
Story
Source:
The above
story is based on materials provided by Senckenberg Research Institute and
Natural History Museum. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
Journal
Reference:
- Böhme, M., Aigstorfer, M., Antoine, P.-O., Appel, E., Havlik, P., Nguyen Viet Hung, Métais, G., Schneider, S., Setzer, F., Tappert, R., Dang Ngoc Tran, Uhl, D. & Prieto, J.,. Na Duong (Northern Vietnam) – an exceptional window into Eocene ecosystems from South-East Asia. Zitteliana A, 2014, 53, 120-167
