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Scientists have identified a unexampled species of small , toothy mammal that once ruled the intellectual nourishment range of mountains in Africa almost 40 million years ago .
Researchers named the new speciesMasrasector nananubis , after theancient Egyptian god Anubis , who had the mind of ajackaland was associated with mummification and the underworld . Like its namesake , M. nananubishad a longsighted and narrow skull and lots of large teeth , the researchers publish in a new work .
Skull of a new species of ancient carnivore that once ruled the food chain in Africa.
The ancient carnivore also had fox - like limb that allow it to move fast and hunt other small- or medium - size mammal that scrambled on the ground , the scientists read . [ Image Gallery : 25 Amazing Ancient Beasts ]
By consider specimens of skulls , jaw and branch bones that were unearth outside Cairo closely 30 years ago , the scientist were capable to examine what the fearsome mammal ate , how it pursued fair game and how other carnivores in Africa were related to one another .
They determined that theMasrasector nananubiswas part of an extinct group of carnivorous mammal call up hyaenodonts .
Despite the similar name , hyaenodonts are only remote cousins of modern - twenty-four hours hyena , the researcherstold Seeker . They were a group of carnivore that diverged in development long before the parentage of African tea , heel , hyenas and honey Wisconsinite .
" Hyaenodonts were the top marauder in Africa after the extinction of the dinosaurs , " subject field source Matthew Borths , a fossilist at Ohio University , said in a statement .
Until now , fossil record of hyaenodonts have been sparse , Borthstold PLOS Blogs . However , scientists have found evidence of the animate being throughout North America , Europe , Asia and Africa , ranging from around 10 million to 60 million yr ago .
" This Modern specie is associated with a twelve specimens , including skulls and weapon system bone , " he said .
This mean theM. nananubisfossils can now be used for comparisons with other hyaenodonts , to help scientist well see the animals ' evolution and their part in each ecosystem . " We can explore what it ate , how it moved , and consider why these carnivorous mammals died off as the congener of dog , kat and hyenas moved into Africa , " Borths articulate .
The enquiry was published on-line April 19 in the undetermined - accessjournal PLOS ONE .
Original article onLive Science .
