January 23, 2024 A new cat species, identified as Magerifelis peignei, has been unveiled by researchers, shedding light on the rich biodiversity of the Middle Miocene epoch approximately 15.5 million years ago. The discovery was made through the examination of fossilized remains found in Principe Pio-2, a newly identified fossil site within Madrid City, Spain.
Belonging to the Felinae subfamily, Magerifelis peignei is estimated to have lived during a period that predates the modern Felis genus. The feline possessed a bony hyoid, enabling it to purr but lacking the anatomical structure for roaring, characteristic of big cats. The fossilized specimen, including an almost complete jaw and well-preserved teeth, offers valuable insights into the morphology and paleoecology of this ancient feline.
Lead author Dr. Manuel Salesa and colleagues from the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC note that Magerifelis peignei is the sister group of a clade consisting of living Felis species, including Felis margarita, Felis silvestris, and Felis lybica, among others.
The discovery’s significance lies in the completeness and excellent preservation of the specimen, allowing paleontologists to conduct detailed analyses, particularly related to the species’ paleoecology. Notably, the feline’s jaw revealed a tiny lower second molar, a feature absent in both living and fossil felids except for the extinct Proailurus.
Paleontologists estimate Magerifelis peignei to have had a body mass of approximately 7.61 kg, placing it within the range of female individuals of Lynx rufus, Leptailurus serval, and Caracal caracal. In comparison with modern feline species, the specimen’s jaw size is larger than that of Felis silvestris but smaller when compared to Caracal caracal, Leptailurus serval, and Lynx pardinus. The researchers note a more robust appearance, with a relatively higher mandibular corpus, akin to the much larger Lynx lynx.
The findings suggest that Magerifelis peignei possessed a formidable bite force, enabling it to potentially capture relatively large prey during its existence in the ancient ecosystem. This discovery contributes significantly to our understanding of the diverse felid species that once roamed the Earth during the Middle Miocene epoch.
