A nearly complete skull of a Hyaenodonta, a hypercarnivore that lived during the Oligocene Epoch some 20 million years ago, has been discovered in Egypt. Scientifically known as Bastetodon syrtos, this apex predator likely hunted elephants, early hippos, and even humanity’s monkey-like ancestors.
The discovery of Bastetodon syrtos sheds light on the ecosystems of ancient Africa and the evolution of modern mammals. A similar animal, Sekhmetops, was discovered 120 years ago but its origins were previously thought to be European. However, this study reveals that both animals originated from Africa and spread to other continents.
The skull, which is around a football-sized, was found in the Fayum Depression, an area with a century-long paleontological history. The team of scientists, led by Shorouq Al-Ashqar from Mansoura University, excavated layers of rock dating back 30 million years and nearly missed the skull until one team member spotted something remarkable.
The discovery of Bastetodon syrtos is significant in understanding the diversity and evolution of hyaenodonts and their global distribution. The study published earlier this week in the Journal of Invertebrate Paleontology provides new insights into the ancient predator’s impact on ancient African ecology.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-rescued-15-million-old-130000615.html