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Approximately 30 million years ago, the landscape of what is now Egypt featured lush forests inhabited by a formidable group of carnivorous mammals known as Hyaenodonta. These creatures, comparable in size to large cats, reigned as apex predators following the extinction of the dinosaurs, though they too would eventually face extinction.
Recently, a team of researchers in the desert near Fayum, Egypt, unearthed an entirely new species of Hyaenodonta characterized by its exceptionally powerful jaw muscles. This new discovery, named Bastetodon syrtos, has been detailed in a study published on February 17 in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
Unearthing the Past
Hyaenodonts, like Bastetodon, predated the modern lineage of carnivores we recognize today, including cats and dogs. With their sharp, hyena-like teeth, these ancient beasts navigated the rich ecosystems of Africa, hunting a variety of prey such as early primates, hippos, elephants, and hyraxes in what is now a desert region southwest of Cairo. The paleontological team was excavating rock layers dating back 30 million years in the Fayum Depression to gather insights into the evolution of mammals in Africa.
Matt Borths, a co-author of the study and Curator of Fossils at the Duke Lemur Center, emphasized the importance of the Fayum site in studying African mammal evolution, stating, “Without it, we would know very little about the origins of African ecosystems and the evolution of African mammals like elephants, primates, and hyaenodonts.”
These remarkable rock formations mark the transition from the warm Eocene epoch to the cooler Oligocene epoch, and have proven to be a treasure trove of discoveries.
Shorouq Al-Ashqar, a co-author and paleontologist, recounted the moment of discovery: “Just as we were about to conclude our work, a team member spotted something remarkable—a set of large teeth sticking out of the ground. His excited shout brought the team together, marking the beginning of an extraordinary discovery: a nearly complete skull of an ancient apex carnivore, a dream for any vertebrate paleontologist.”
The skull’s sharp teeth and robust jaw muscles indicate a formidable bite, and the species takes its name from the cat-headed ancient Egyptian goddess Bastet, a symbol of protection, pleasure, and good health.
Reevaluating Historical Specimens
This newly identified species also prompted researchers to reassess previously discovered hyaenodonts first unearthed in the Fayum region over 120 years ago. These older specimens are now categorized under a new genus named Sekhmetops, named for the ancient Egyptian goddess of war and vengeance, Sekhmet.
Initially identified in 1904 as part of a European hyaenodont group, Sekhmetops is now understood to be part of a lineage originating in Africa, joining Bastetodon in this newly recognized grouping. Additionally, since Bastet is often associated with Sekhmet, these two species share both symbolic and scientific ties.
The research team noted that Bastetodon and Sekhmetops likely disseminated from Africa in successive waves, eventually reaching continents such as Asia, Europe, India, and North America. Approximately 18 million years ago, some species from this lineage were among the largest carnivorous mammals known to exist.
[ Related: This tiny, 8-foot long whale swam off Egypt’s coast 41 million years ago. ]
Evolutionary Shifts
The dramatic climatic and tectonic shifts during the Oligocene epoch were pivotal for the continent, paving the way for the rise of today’s carnivorous mammals, including cats, dogs, and hyenas. With changing environments and shifting prey populations, specialized carnivorous hyaenodonts saw a decline in their diversity and ultimately faced extinction around 25 million years ago.
“The discovery of Bastetodon is a significant achievement in understanding the diversity and evolution of hyaenodonts and their global distribution,” Al-Ashqar stated. “We are eager to continue our research to unravel the intricate relationships between these ancient predators and their environments over time and across continents.”
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