(NLDO) - A previously unknown monster that lived 270-280 million years ago and is related to our lineage has appeared in Spain.
On the Spanish island of Mallorca, scientists have found the jaw and other bones of a predatory monster that terrorized long before the dinosaurs.
The new species, which has yet to be named, is the oldest representative of the ancient, extinct group of animals called therapsids. Today's mammals, including us, are descended from this group.
The shape of the monster in Spain with fossilized bones marked - Photo: SMNS
Describing the monster in the journal Nature Communications , the international team said it was a creature that appeared "vaguely dog-like" and had ferocious saber teeth.
They were identified as belonging to a smaller group of Therapsids called Gorgonopsians, which were more closely related to mammals.
Image depicting a Gorgonopsian - Graphics: Henry Sutherland Sharpe
"They have no modern descendants; and although they are not our direct ancestors, they are related to species that are our direct ancestors," explains co-author Ken Angielczyk from the Center for Integrative Studies at the Field Museum (USA).
As such, they are an important piece to fill in our own timeline on Earth, when our ancestors coexisted with ancient relatives.
Replica of saber-tooth fossil - Photo: CATALAN PALEONTOLOGY INSTITUTE MIQUEL CRUSAFONT
Until now, the oldest known Gorgonopsian lived about 265 million years ago. However, the new fossils date back to 270-280 million years ago, which is the Diapsid period of the Paleozoic era.
So it is most likely the oldest representative of this group of monsters, according to lead author Josep Fortuny from the Catalan Paleontological Institute Miquel Crusafont (ICP - Spain).
The monster's bones were surprisingly well preserved, giving scientists a glimpse into what it looked like and how it interacted with its environment while alive.
Although only about the size of a modern-day husky, this monster was a veritable apex predator at a time when Earth's animal world was much more primitive than it is today, and when giant dinosaurs were absent.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/lo-dien-quai-vat-rang-kiem-lau-doi-hon-ca-khung-long-196241230084548275.htm
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