PORTALES, N.M. (AP) - An Eastern New Mexico University researcher has classified an amber-encased prehistoric beetle from France after French scientists turned to him for help.
French researchers asked ENMU associate professor of biology Darren Pollock to look at pictures of the beetle, and he identified it as a newly discovered extinct species.
Pollock is a taxonomist, which means he puts names on biological entities, determines how they're related and classifies them.
The fossil shows the beetle's taxonomic family existed in western France100 million years ago.
A European post-doctoral researcher, Carmen Soriano, contacted Pollock after the curator of the beetle collection at the Museum of Natural History of London recommended hiim.
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Information from: Portales News-Tribune
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