human interest
These carnivores were classic animals long before the Jurassic period.
New archaeological research finds further evidence of an apex predator said to have “dominated” Earth as the “largest and most bloodthirsty carnivore” of its time, 40 million years before dinosaurs It was done.
A nearly complete fossilized skull of Pampaphoneus biccae, estimated to be 265 million years old, has been discovered in the southern countryside of San Gabriel, Brazil.
“This animal was a ferocious-looking beast that must have evoked pure fear in all who crossed its path,” said Stephanie E. Pierce, one of the scientists involved. Paper published by Harvard University In collaboration with other organizations.
She added: “The discovery provides a key glimpse into the community structure of terrestrial ecosystems just before the largest mass extinction event in history.”
This was the second skull of its kind ever discovered in South America.
“The discovery of the first new Pampaphoneus skull in a long time is of great importance in increasing our knowledge of this animal, which until now has been difficult to distinguish from its Russian relatives,” said first author Mateusz. A. Costa Santos said.
This beast was also known to roam the area that is now known as Russia.
Pampaphoneus biccae is a member of the therapsid family, the ancient predecessors of mammals and were known as dinosaurs.
They “lived just before the largest extinction event in Earth’s history, which wiped out 86% of all animal species worldwide.” According to a press release announcing the completion of the study,.
For modern Neanderthals living under rocks, the extinction event was caused by a massive asteroid that hit Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula 66 million years ago.
“Before the extinction event, dinosaurs were one of the major groups of large terrestrial animals that thrived on land.” Announcement addednoted that “medium to large” sized creatures (about 10 feet long and weighing about 882 pounds) also include herbivores.
“Pampaphoneus played the same ecological role as modern big cats,” said study lead author Felipe Pinheiro.
He added: “This was the largest terrestrial predator that we know of that lived in the Permian period of South America. This animal had large, sharp canine teeth that were suitable for capturing prey. Its dentition and cranial structure suggest that, like modern hyenas, it had a bite powerful enough to crush bone.”
These dinosaur ancestors were particularly known for having “thick skulls.”
Such a configuration inspired the long name “dinosephalian”, which means “terrible head” in Greek.
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