The Hyaenodonts, a group of hypercarnivorous mammals, dominated the ancient Egyptian forest 25 million years ago, but their reign came to an abrupt end. Fossil records show that these massive creatures vanished from the scene, replaced by their nimble relatives, cats and dogs. The discovery of a nearly complete skull from a smaller hyaenodont species, Bastetodon, has shed new light on their demise.
According to Dr. Cathrin Pfaff, a researcher at the University of Vienna, climate change, competitive pressures, and changes in prey availability likely contributed to the Hyaenodonta’s downfall. The group’s highly specialized dentition may have also played a role, making them less adaptable to changing environments.
The find of Bastetodon’s skull brings scientists closer to unraveling the mystery surrounding the Hyaenodontas’ extinction. While it is unclear why they failed to adapt and eventually lost out to their more agile competitors, this new discovery offers valuable insights into the evolution of these fascinating creatures.
Source: https://boingboing.net/2025/02/18/what-happened-to-the-ancient-apex-carnivore-that-suddenly-disappeared-from-the-fossil-record.html