All its companions died out 11 million years ago, and it is the sole survivor of the group. It is a squirrel-like rodent discovered in Laos that is believed to have been witnessing the changes on the planet for 11 millions years! — Fossil data reveals. Isn’t it surprising and interesting?
The rodent is named Laonastes aenigmamus. Though the animal made headlines in 2005 when it was hailed as the only new family of living mammals to be found in 30 years, it is confirmed only recently that its group perished long back leaving to survive through these million years.
Since it is a relic of a group of prehistoric rodents once widespread in South East Asia and Japan, scientists now believe it is a “living fossil.”
Via: BBC News