Scientists have discovered a “fearsome” new species of carnivore that lived 30 million years ago, after finding a skull in the desert in Egypt.
The “leopard-sized” mammal known as Bastetodon is believed to have coexisted with hippos and early elephants in what was then a lush forest in Fayoum, Egypt. With sharp teeth and powerful jaw muscles, it would have sat at the top of the food chain in an age before the dawn of humanity.
A nearly complete skull was dug up in what is now an area of desert known for its fossils and artefacts from Ancient Egypt. Shorouq Al Ashqar, a palaeontologist who has written a study on the findings, called it “a dream” for scientists in the field.
“For days, the team meticulously excavated layers of rock dating back around 30 million years,” Ms Al Ashqar said. “Just as we were about to conclude our work, a team member spotted something remarkable – a set of large teeth sticking out of the ground.”
Ms Al Ashqar said the findings, backed by Mansoura University and the American University in Cairo, marked a “significant achievement” in understanding ancient mammals. “We are eager to continue our research to unravel the intricate relationships between these ancient predators and their environments over time and across continents,” she said.
Researchers named Bastetodon after the cat-headed Ancient Egyptian goddess Bastet, a nod to the ancient mammal's “short, catlike snout and teeth”. According to researchers, Bastetodon's relatives migrated out of Africa in several waves, eventually making it to Asia, Europe, India and even to North America. It is thought their descendants who lived about 18 million years ago were some of the largest meat-eating mammals ever to have roamed the planet.
Matt Borths, a carnivore expert at Duke University in the US, said the findings show there is still more to be discovered in Egypt. He described the Fayoum desert as one of the “most important fossil areas in Africa”.
“Without it, we would know very little about the origins of African ecosystems and the evolution of African mammals like elephants, primates, and hyaenodonts,” Mr Borths said. “Paleontologists have been working in the Fayoum for over a century, but the Sallam Lab demonstrated there is more to discover in this remarkable region.”
The study, Cranial anatomy of the hypercarnivore Bastetodon syrtos gen. nov (Hyaenodonta, Hyainailourinae) and a re-evaluation of Pterodon in Africa, is published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
India squad
Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, K.L. Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur.
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
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The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
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Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
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SPECS
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Sri Lanka's T20I squad
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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- Sep 1, 2016 Beat Japan 2-1 (away)
- Sep 6, 2016 Lost to Australia 1-0 (home)
- Oct 6, 2016 Beat Thailand 3-1 (home)
- Oct 11, 2016 Lost to Saudi Arabia 3-0 (away)
- Nov 15, 2016 Beat Iraq 2-0 (home)
- Mar 23, 2017 Lost to Japan 2-0 (home)
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
