Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Fayum, Egypt, uncovering a nearly complete skull of a hypercarnivore that lived around 30 million years ago. The ancient predator, named Bastetodon syrtos, is believed to be one of the most fearsome hunters of its time, with crushing jaws and razor-sharp teeth.
The fossilized skull was discovered by a team led by paleontologist Shorouq Al-Ashqar of Mansoura University and the American University in Egypt. The excavation process took days, but the team’s efforts paid off when they found the remarkable fossil hidden beneath layers of rock dating back to the Paleogene period.
The region of Fayum Depression is known for its rich fossil assemblage, providing valuable insights into the history of mammals in Africa. The discovery of Bastetodon is significant not only because of its ancient status but also due to its implications on our understanding of African ecosystems and the evolution of mammals like elephants, primates, and hyaenodonts.
Bastetodon’s diet consisted mainly of meat, with some estimates suggesting it consumed more than 70% protein. Its classification as a hypercarnivore is confirmed by the structure of its skull, which reveals insights into its survival strategies. The discovery also sheds light on the distribution of hyaenodonts across the Northern hemisphere.
In addition to Bastetodon, the excavation uncovered fossils from lion-sized hyaenodonts that were previously thought to be European in origin. However, further analysis revealed that these fossils originated in Africa and are distinct from their European counterparts. The discovery provides a new perspective on the global distribution of hyaenodonts.
The research has been published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology and marks an important milestone in understanding the diversity and evolution of ancient predators like Bastetodon.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/30-million-year-old-hypercarnivore-skull-dream-find-for-paleontologists