The weight of Magerifelis peignei is estimated to be 7.61 kg.
The new cat species, identified as Magerifelis peignei, lived in what is now Spain during the Miocene epoch, about 15.5 million years ago. These small cats in the feline family have bony hyoid bones and can purr, but do not roar. BBC report.
“Magerifelis peignei is a sister group to the clade consisting of Pristifelis attica, extant species of the genus Felis (such as Felis margarita, Felis silvestris, and Felis lybica), Profelis aurata, and Lynx pardinus,” said first author Dr. Manuel Salesa. Stated. and colleagues at the National Museum of Natural Science, CSIC.
In 2007, the fossilized remains of Mageriferis pegney were discovered at Principe Pio-2, a newly identified fossil site within the urban area of Madrid, Spain.
This specimen is very well preserved, showing the entire hemimandible with all teeth except the incisors. Its completeness and excellent state of preservation make it a valuable source for paleoecological analyzes particularly related to this newly discovered feline.
“We recovered a nearly complete jaw with almost all teeth preserved in exceptional condition,” Dr. Siliceo said.
“Most surprising was the presence of small lower second molars, which are absent in all living and fossil cats except Proairurus.”
The body mass of Magerifelis peignei is estimated to be 7.61 kg, a range consistent with the body mass of female Lynx rufus, Leptailurus serval, and caracal caracal.
“Compared to modern felines, the half-jaw of Principe Pio-2, Magerifelis peignei, is larger than that of Felis silvestris, and shows similar dimensions to the caracal caracal, Leptailurus serval, and Lynx pardinus.” said paleontologists.
“Nevertheless, if we show the lower jaws of these species at the same length for ease of comparison, the dentition of the new species is smaller than that of the latter species, so the specimen has a more robust appearance and is relatively It has a high dentition. The body of the mandible is very similar to that of the much larger lynx.”
Researchers say Mageriferis pagnei has the ability to exert powerful bite force while hunting, potentially allowing it to capture relatively large prey.