Rare Stegodon Fossil Skull Unearthed in Northern Philippines Sheds Light on Ancient Elephant Relatives

Paleontologists have reported the discovery of the first complete Stegodon fossil skull in the Philippines, found in Solana, Cagayan in northern Luzon by a local resident. The research team, composed of experts from the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) and the University of Wollongong in Australia, recently published their detailed analysis of this million-year-old specimen.

Dr. Meyrick U. Tablizo and Dr. Allan Gil S. Fernando of the UPD-CS National Institute of Geological Sciences, together with Dr. Gerrit D. van den Bergh from the University of Wollongong, revealed that the skull likely belonged to a juvenile Stegodon, an extinct relative of modern elephants. They estimate that this individual might have been slightly taller than an average Filipino, with mature adults being somewhat smaller than today’s Asian elephants.

"The skull’s characteristics are consistent with Stegodon species from Indonesian islands such as Sangihe, Sulawesi, and Flores," Tablizo explained. "This points to remarkable swimming abilities in these ancient elephants, enabling them to traverse open seas and colonize islands despite the absence of land bridges."

Finding a fossilized Stegodon skull is exceptionally uncommon. Tablizo noted that large animal fossils often do not survive intact, especially fragile skulls. Most Stegodon remains found in the Philippines before this discovery were limited to isolated teeth or tusk fragments, with very few bone pieces recovered.

Despite some deformation, the newly uncovered skull includes a complete tooth and two small tusks, marking it as a singular find in the country’s paleontological record. While previous reports mentioned Stegodon skulls in Luzon, none had undergone formal scientific study or been curated in museums, making this find unprecedented.

This important discovery enhances understanding of the prehistoric fauna of the Philippines. "Although Stegodon fossils have been known since the late 19th century, previous research focused primarily on teeth and tusk fragments," said Tablizo. "A skull provides far more comprehensive information about evolutionary relationships and migratory pathways."

The study suggests that Luzon was home to at least three Stegodon varieties: a large-bodied form, a smaller dwarf species, and this newly identified intermediate type, indicating a more complex evolutionary history than previously recognized.

Tablizo highlighted the significance of contextual data, including the fossil’s exact location, geological layer, and associated remains. "Given the limited number of paleontologists in the Philippines, discoveries made by locals are invaluable," he said. "We encourage anyone who finds fossils to reach out to institutions like the Nannoworks Laboratory, the Paleontological Society of the Philippines, or the National Museum to ensure proper preservation and study. Such finds can greatly contribute to unraveling our natural heritage."

The team’s findings were published in the scientific journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology in a paper titled "Island-hopping across the Wallace Line: A new Pleistocene Stegodon fossil skull from Luzon (Philippines) reveals dispersal links to Wallacea."