A nearly complete skull was found rare in the Egyptian desert, which led scientists to uncover a new 30 million historic ancient apex predator, the “dream” revelation of hyaenodonta.
With sharp teeth and strong jaw muscles, suggesting a bite, newly identified ‘Bastetodon’ It is a “terrible” mammal the size of a leopard print. As our own monkey-like ancestors continue to evolve, it is originally the top of all carnivores and food chains.
Discovered, published in peer review Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Details how this ferocious creature preys on primates, early hippos, early elephants and hybrids in Egypt’s lush forests, which are now home to the desert.
This discovery was described from Mansoura University and American universities in Cairo, paleontologist and lead author Shorouq al-Ashqar said:
“Just as we were about to finish the work, the team members discovered something amazing – a group of large teeth sticking out of the ground. His yelling screams united the team, marking the beginning of an extraordinary discovery: an ancient carnivore, almost Intact skull, it is the dream of any vertebrate paleontologist.”
Bastetodon A species belonging to a group of extinct carnivorous mammals. Before modern predators such as cats, dogs and hyenas, the Mennots had evolved. After the dinosaurs became extinct, these Heinz tooth-like predators hunting in African ecosystems.
The team (under the name “Sallam Lab”) was named as the specimen Behind the ancient Egyptian goddess Bastet on the cat’s head, it symbolizes protection, pleasure and physical health. The name recognizes the area where the specimens were found, which is known for its fossils and ancient Egyptian artifacts. The name also praises the short, cat-like nose and teeth of this terrifying leopard predator (“-Oden” means “tooth”).
Its skull was unearthed in Sallam Lab’s expedition to Fayum depression, in which the DIGS reveals an important window of time, about 15 million years of evolutionary history in African mammals. Panpan of this era not only captures the transition from global warming in the Eocene to global cooling in the Oligocene, but also reveals how these climate changes play a vital role in shaping the ecosystems we still see today The role of
Not only is it a new ancient creature discovery, but it also discovers Bastetodon The research team has been allowed to reevaluate a group of lion-sized hyenas, the hybrids were found 120 years ago in the rocks of Fayum.
In their paper, the team also constructed the genus Sekhmetops To describe this historical material and to respect Sekhmet, the Leo goddess of anger and war in ancient Egyptian mythology (“– ops“means “face”). In 1904, Sekhmetops Placed in a group of hyenas in Europe. The team showed it Bastetodon and Sekhmetops Both belong to a group of hyenas that actually originated in Africa. In ancient Egypt, Buster was often associated with Sekmet, making the two genera scientifically and symbolically linked.
This study proves Bastetodon and Sekhmetops Spreading multiple waves from Africa, eventually reaching Asia, Europe, India and North America. By 18 million years ago, some of these hydroxyl relatives were one of the largest mammal carnivores ever.
However, catastrophic changes in global climate and tectonic changes in Africa open the continent to relatives of modern cats, dogs and hyenas. As the environment and prey changes, the diversity of professional carnivorous hybrid chambers decreases and eventually extinction leaves our primate relatives facing a new set of opponents.
“Discover Bastetodon It is a significant achievement in understanding the diversity and evolution of hyenas and their global distribution. ” Shorouq added.
“We are eager to continue our research to reveal the complex relationship between these ancient predators and their environment.”
Finally, Dr. Matt Borths, co-author of fossil curator at the Museum of Natural History at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, said: “Fayum is one of the most important fossil regions in Africa. Without it, we will be on the African ecosystem.” The origins of the world and the development of African mammals such as elephants, primates and hydroxyworms are poorly understood. Paleontologists have been working in Fayum for over a century, but Sallam Lab proves that more can be found in this extraordinary area .”
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