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Researchers at the Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont have described a new species of extinct carnivore called Paludocyon moyasolai, a medium-sized amphicyonid (bear-dog) that lived approximately 15.9 million years ago during the early Middle Miocene. The fossil remains were recovered from the Els Casots site in Subirats, Alt Penedès, Spain. The species is named in honor of Salvador Moyà-Solà, a prominent vertebrate paleontologist who directed the ICP from its founding until 2017.
Why it matters
This discovery contributes to understanding the diversity and evolution of amphicyonids, an extinct family of carnivorous mammals, in the Iberian Peninsula during the Miocene epoch. The finding helps reconstruct ancient ecosystems and carnivore communities in Europe during a critical period of mammalian evolution.
A research team with the participation of the Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP) has described a new species of extinct carnivore from fossil remains recovered at the Els Casots site (Subirats, Alt Penedès). The study, published in the Journal of Mammalian Evolution, describes Paludocyon moyasolai, a medium-sized amphicyonid that lived approximately 15.9 million years ago, during the early Middle Miocene. The specific epithet “moyasolai” pays tribute to Salvador Moyà-Solà, a key figure in the development of vertebrate paleontology in the Iberian Peninsula and director of the ICP from its foundation until 2017.
Source: New species of Middle Miocene bear-dog described in tribute to Salvador Moyà-Solà