A newly discovered fossil in Egypt may hold the key to understanding the extinction of an apex carnivore that once ruled the ancient Egyptian forest. Paleontologists have uncovered a nearly complete skull of a previously unidentified species of hyaenodonta, named Bastetodon syrtos, dating back to the early Oligocene Epoch, around 30 million years ago. This rare find, unearthed in the Fayum Depression of Egypt’s Western Desert, provides researchers with valuable insights into the evolutionary history of these ferocious predators.
The hyaenodonts, with sharp, catlike teeth and a doglike body, were once the top predators in their ecosystems. The newly discovered species, Bastetodon syrtos, is named after the ancient Egyptian goddess Bastet due to its unique, shorter snout and powerful bite. Scientists believe that this species could have been the “king” of the ancient Egyptian forests, preying on primates like Aegyptopithecus and early relatives of hippos and elephants.
The fossil, which is the most complete hyaenodonta skull found in Africa, provides a clear view of the animal’s cranial features, including the size of muscle attachments and its brain, offering researchers clues to its strength and predatory habits. According to Shorouq Al-Ashqar, a lead researcher from Mansoura University, the skull not only provides a detailed look at Bastetodon syrtos, but also adds crucial information about this extinct carnivore lineage.
Hyaenodonta fossils have been found across various continents, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. While many species were as small as weasels, some were as large as rhinos. The discovery of this skull is significant because such complete fossils are rare, allowing scientists to make more concrete comparisons with other prehistoric carnivores like Sekhmetops, a larger species that lived in Africa. By comparing the two species, researchers have demonstrated that both belonged to the same African-originated group.
The study also sheds light on the mass extinction event around 34 million years ago, which led to the cooling climate and faunal turnover that wiped out many species, including the hyaenodonts. Although these creatures once dominated, their highly specialized teeth and environmental changes may have contributed to their extinction, ultimately giving way to today’s predators such as cats, dogs, and hyenas. This discovery is one step closer to understanding the environmental and evolutionary pressures that shaped the predators we see today.
