New Bear-Dog Species Discovered in Spain Reveals Ancient Miocene Predator

A new species of extinct carnivore, Paludocyon moyasolai, has been identified from fossils found in Catalonia, Spain, offering fresh insights into the region’s Miocene-era predator ecosystem 15.9 million years ago, according to research published in the Journal of Mammalian Evolution. The discovery, led by the Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP), reveals the earliest known member of its genus, a medium-sized hunter that coexisted with primitive felines and small crocodiles in a humid, lake-rich landscape.

The fossil remains—including a deformed but partially intact skull and a lower molar—were recovered from the Els Casots site in the Penedès region, a key Miocene vertebrate fossil deposit in southeastern Europe. The team’s anatomical analysis distinguished Paludocyon moyasolai from related species by its robust upper molars and uniquely proportioned third molar, marking it as the most primitive representative of the Paludocyon genus, which thrived in both North America and Eurasia during the Cenozoic era.

Why does this discovery matter for understanding prehistoric predators?

The new species belongs to the Amphicyonidae family, colloquially known as “bear-dogs,” despite lacking direct evolutionary ties to modern canines or bears. Unlike many of its relatives, which had teeth adapted for crushing bones or grinding plant matter, Paludocyon moyasolai exhibited specialized dentition for consuming meat, suggesting it pursued small to medium-sized herbivores such as deer, bovids, and pigs. Its presence in the Penedès ecosystem—once characterized by a freshwater lake near the coast and warmer temperatures during the Miocene Climatic Optimum—adds depth to reconstructions of the region’s food web.

“This animal represents a missing piece in the history of carnivores from this area,” said the ICP, emphasizing that the find expands the known diversity of Miocene predators in the Iberian Peninsula. The site of Els Casots, excavated between 1989 and 1994 with renewed efforts since 2018, has yielded over 5,000 macrovertebrate fossils from roughly 80 species, including reptiles, birds, and mammals. The new classification underscores the site’s significance as a “reference” for studying ecosystems from that era.

How was the species named, and who does it honor?

The species name, Paludocyon moyasolai, combines the Latin palus (meaning “marsh”) with cyon (dog), reflecting its likely semi-aquatic habitat, and honors Salvador Moyà-Solà, a geologist and paleontologist who directed the ICP from its founding until 2017. Moyà-Solà played a pivotal role in the early excavations at Els Casots, where the fossils were unearthed in 1991. The research team described the dedication as a tribute to his “outstanding contribution to European paleomastology,” a field focused on reconstructing prehistoric mammalian communities.

Moyà-Solà’s involvement extends beyond the naming: his leadership in the 1990s campaigns directly enabled the recovery of the critical remains used in the study. The ICP noted that the new species “reinforces the position of Paludocyon as one of the earliest branches of its lineage,” providing a clearer picture of how these carnivores diversified across continents.

What does this tell us about the broader history of bear-dogs?

Amphicyonidae thrived for millions of years across North America and Eurasia, occupying ecological niches similar to modern predators like wolves or hyenas. While they shared a superficial resemblance to dogs or bears, genetic and anatomical studies confirm they formed a distinct evolutionary branch. The new species’ dentition—featuring robust upper molars and reduced premolars—aligns with a carnivorous diet, contrasting with other amphicyonids that adapted to omnivory or herbivory.

According to the study, Paludocyon moyasolai likely competed with other Miocene hunters, including early felids and mustelids (weasel relatives), in a landscape that also hosted small crocodiles of the genus Diplocynodon. The discovery aligns with broader research on the Miocene’s “hyperdiverse” predator communities, a period when modern mammalian families were still evolving. “This find helps us understand how these ecosystems functioned before the rise of large Ice Age mammals,” said the ICP, highlighting its relevance for paleoecological models.

What comes next for research at Els Casots?

The Els Casots site remains one of the most productive Miocene fossil deposits in Europe, with ongoing excavations since 2018 yielding additional specimens. Researchers plan to continue analyzing the site’s sediment layers to uncover more details about the region’s climate and biodiversity. The ICP has emphasized that such discoveries are critical for refining timelines of mammalian evolution, particularly in Europe, where fossil records from the Miocene remain fragmented.

While the immediate focus is on cataloging the new species, the broader goal is to integrate findings from Els Casots with other global sites to map how carnivore communities shifted in response to environmental changes. “Each new species we describe fills gaps in our understanding of prehistoric food chains,” said the ICP, noting that Paludocyon moyasolai may hold clues about the adaptive strategies that allowed amphicyonids to persist for millions of years.

Key facts:

• Species: Paludocyon moyasolai (named for its marsh-dwelling traits and Salvador Moyà-Solà).
• Age: 15.9 million years old (Miocene epoch).
• Location: Els Casots, Penedès region, Catalonia, Spain.
• Diet: Carnivorous, likely preying on small to medium herbivores.
• Significance: Earliest known member of the Paludocyon genus, offering insights into Miocene predator diversity.
• Research team: Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP), with international collaborators.
• Publication: Journal of Mammalian Evolution.