On December 29, 2025 the Ministry of Digital Development and Innovative Technologies of the Kyrgyz Republic puts into circulation a series of Kyrgyz Express Post postage stamps: "Prehistoric Fauna of Kyrgyzstan (continuation of the series)".
Millions of years ago, the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan was home to remarkable creatures, whose remains today help paleontologists reconstruct the picture of the region's distant past. Unique fossils were discovered in the deposits of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, reflecting the richness and diversity of the region’s ancient fauna. The new issue of KEP stamps continues the theme of prehistoric animals and features three rare species whose remains were discovered specifically in Kyrgyzstan.
Rhamphorhynchine (Rhamphorhynchinae indet.) – a representative of the order Pterosauria that lived approximately 160-145 million years ago. These ancient flying reptiles were distinguished by a long tail ending in a diamond-shaped vane, which helped stabilize their flight. Rhamphorhynchines hunted fish and small animals, inhabiting areas near water bodies.
Tashkumyrodon desideratus – one of the earliest known mammals in Asia. It lived approximately 163 million years ago in the area of modern Tash-Kumyr. Tashkumyrodon was comparable in size to a small mouse, fed on insects and led a nocturnal lifestyle. Its discovery is an important contribution to the study of early mammalian evolution.
Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus – a predatory theropod dinosaur that lived approximately 163 million years ago. Its remains were found in the Balabansai Formation in the Tash-Kumyr region. Alpkarakush was a terrestrial predator with a well-developed skeleton and powerful hind limbs. The discovered bones indicate a typical theropod body structure and predatory behavior. The discovery of this fossil is significant for Central Asian paleontology, as it expands the understanding of Jurassic fauna diversity in the region and sheds light on the evolutionary connections of theropods with other groups of predatory dinosaurs.
The margins of the collective minisheet feature Ferganoceratodus jurassicus – a genus of lungfish (Dipnoi) whose remains were discovered in the Jurassic deposits in Kyrgyzstan. Lungfish are known for their unique ability to use their swim bladder as a primitive lung for breathing atmospheric air. Thus, these fish possessed both gill and pulmonary respiration.
KEP expresses its sincere gratitude to Aizek Asanbekovich Bakirov, Acting Director of the M. M. Adyshev Institute of Geology of the National Academy of Sciences under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, for his invaluable consultative assistance in preparing this issue of postage stamps.
