Egyptian Desert Yields a New Leopard-Sized Carnivore and Revisits a Century-Old Fossil Find
A groundbreaking discovery in Egypt’s Fayum Desert has unearthed a nearly complete skull of a previously unknown 30-million-year-old apex predator, Bastetodon. This leopard-sized carnivore, belonging to the extinct Hyaenodonta family, was a formidable hunter that once dominated Africa’s ancient ecosystems.
Published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, the research details how Bastetodon, with its sharp teeth and powerful bite, likely preyed on early primates, hippos, elephants, and hyraxes. The discovery sheds light on an era when these fearsome predators ruled before modern-day carnivores evolved.
A ‘Dream’ Discovery for Paleontologists
Lead author Shorouq Al-Ashqar, a paleontologist from Mansoura University and the American University in Cairo, describes the moment of discovery:
“For days, our team carefully excavated rock layers dating back 30 million years. Just as we were about to conclude, one of our members spotted something extraordinary—a set of large teeth protruding from the ground. His excited shout brought us all together to unearth a nearly complete skull of an ancient apex predator, a dream find for any vertebrate paleontologist.”
A New Member of the Hyaenodonta Family
Hyaenodonts were fearsome predators that thrived long before the emergence of modern carnivores like cats, dogs, and hyenas. Named after the ancient Egyptian goddess Bastet, Bastetodon (“Bastet’s tooth”) was discovered by the Sallam Lab research team. The name pays homage to both the region’s rich fossil history and the creature’s cat-like snout and dentition.
The Fayum Depression, where the fossil was found, is one of Africa’s most significant paleontological sites. It provides an invaluable window into mammalian evolution from the Eocene’s warming period to the Oligocene’s global cooling.
Revisiting a 120-Year-Old Discovery
Beyond identifying a new species, the discovery of Bastetodon led researchers to reanalyze fossils unearthed over a century ago. In their study, the team revisited a lion-sized hyaenodont species first found in 1904. They assigned this material to a new genus, Sekhmetops, named after the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet, symbolizing war and strength.
Originally misclassified as a European species, Sekhmetops and Bastetodon are now recognized as part of a uniquely African lineage of hyaenodonts. Their relatives later migrated from Africa to Asia, Europe, India, and North America, with some species evolving into the largest mammalian predators ever known. However, climatic and tectonic shifts in Africa eventually led to the decline of these specialized hunters, paving the way for modern carnivores.
A Window into Africa’s Ancient Ecosystems
“The discovery of Bastetodon is a major milestone in understanding the diversity and evolution of hyaenodonts,” says Al-Ashqar. “We are excited to continue unraveling the intricate relationships between these ancient predators and their environments.”
Co-author Dr. Matt Borths, curator at the Duke Lemur Center Museum of Natural History, adds: “The Fayum has been a treasure trove for over a century. This discovery proves there’s still more to learn about Africa’s ancient ecosystems and mammalian evolution.”
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