A team of paleontologists from the National Museum of Natural Sciences-CSIC reports the discovery of a previously unknown feline species that inhabited the Madrid region more than 15 million years ago. The identification came from a jaw fossil found during public works years earlier, offering a rare window into early saber-toothed or mid-sized predatory cats in the Iberian Peninsula.
In a study published in a respected paleontology journal, researchers describe the jaw fossil unearthed near present-day Madrid, outline its distinctive features, and place it within the feline family tree. The article adds a meaningful piece to the broader story of how cats evolved across Europe during the Miocene, a time when many modern mammal groups were taking shape through migration and ecological diversification.
Earlier investigations reveal that the cat family traces back about 25 million years, marking a long evolutionary arc that spans continents and climates. This new find adds a regional chapter to that history, underscoring the diversity of early felids in Iberia and their adaptations to local environments.
During analysis, scientists recovered an almost complete hemimandible, the lower jaw on one side, with most teeth preserved except for the incisors. The specimen was discovered in 2007 during excavation work associated with a metro line expansion that connected to a nearby shopping complex. The remains were carefully curated at the National Museum of Natural Sciences for ongoing study and long-term archiving.
Upon examination, researchers assigned the fossil to a new species named Magerifelis peignei. This taxon appears to belong to a sister group that also includes today’s Iberian lynx and related relatives, suggesting a close evolutionary relationship with modern felids. A distinctive feature noted was a lower second molar, a trait shared with some contemporary cats, providing a rare link between ancient and modern lineages.
Estimates indicate the animal weighed around 7.6 kilograms, placing it between the mass of a domestic cat and a small wild feline. Its half-mandible display suggests a sturdy build, implying a powerful bite and the ability to tackle relatively sizable prey. This combination of size and jaw architecture points to a predator capable of exploiting a varied diet, echoing the behavior and ecology of some extant wild cats.
From these anatomical characteristics, scientists infer a robust bite force that would have supported hunting sizable prey for its era. The team also proposes that Magerifelis peignei likely produced purr-like sounds but did not roar, a vocal pattern aligning with some modern feline relatives and reflecting broader evolutionary trends in cat communication. The fossil thus helps fill gaps in the mammalian evolutionary record by clarifying the anatomical changes associated with second molar development in early felids.
The significance of this discovery lies in its contribution to the broader understanding of cat evolution, particularly in how dental morphology relates to feeding strategies and ecological roles. The presence of a modern-analogous second molar on a fossilized specimen provides a tangible link to later evolutionary stages and supports ideas about how ancient cats diversified across Europe in different habitats and climates.
Overall, the find adds a convincing regional piece to the puzzle of feline evolution. It highlights the early presence of complex dental structures and the ecological versatility of ancient cats in Iberia, offering a compelling glimpse into how these predators adapted to local ecosystems during the Miocene.