Comparison of holotypes of different species of Miocene felids in buccal view. A, Magerifelis peignei from Príncipe Pío 2 (MN 5, Madrid, Spain). B, Holotype of Styriofelis Turnauensis from Geliach (Austria, MN 5). C, MHNG GEPI 3197, cast of the holotype shown in B. credit: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2024). DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2023.2288924
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Comparison of holotypes of different species of Miocene felids in buccal view. A, his Magerifelis peignei from Príncipe Pío 2 (MN 5, Madrid, Spain). B, Holotype of Styliofelis turnauensis from Hernes, original map of Gehliach (5, MN, Austria). C, MHNG GEPI 3197, cast of the holotype shown in B. credit: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2024). DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2023.2288924
A small team of paleontologists from the CSIC National Museum of Natural History has discovered a new species of ancient cat based on the study of fossilized jawbones. In a paper published in Journal of Vertebrate PaleontologyThe group describes a fossilized jawbone found near modern-day Madrid, some of its characteristics, and where it fits into the cat family tree.
Previous research suggests that cats first evolved about 25 million years ago. In this new effort, the researchers found evidence of a cat that lived near present-day Madrid, Spain, about 15.5 million years ago.
Evidence was obtained in the form of an almost complete hemimandible (half of the mandible) containing all teeth except the incisors. The stone was discovered in 2007 at an excavation site called Principe Pio-2. Construction was underway there to extend the subway station to the shopping center. It was taken to the National Museum of Natural Sciences and kept there. The research team describes the fossil as being well preserved.
A study of the fossil revealed that its owner belonged to a new species of the cat family, which they named Magerifelis peignei. Researchers have discovered that ancient cats now belong to a sister clade that includes modern species such as the lynx (Lynx pardinus). The researchers also noted that this cat had some unique characteristics. It is a lower second molar that is present only in one of the modern cats.
The researchers estimated that the feline weighed about 7.61 kg, which is almost twice as heavy as a modern domestic cat, or about the same weight as a modern lynx or bobcat. . They also noted that the half-jaw was large compared to the rest of the body, which would have given the cat a rugged appearance.
Therefore, this cat had a strong bite and was able to take down relatively large prey, perhaps by tearing out the throat. It also meant that cats could purr, but not bark.
The researchers note that the fossil also helps fill in gaps in the evolutionary history of cats, as it has second molars.
For more information:
Manuel J. Salesa et al. Unraveling the diversity of early felines: a new genus of the Felidae (Carnivora, Felidae) from the mid-Miocene of Madrid (Spain). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2024). DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2023.2288924
Magazine information:
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology
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