A team from the Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP) has identified a new species of extinct carnivore from fossils discovered at the Els Casots site in Spain. The creature, Paludocyon moyasolai, belongs to the amphicyonid family — often called bear-dogs. It lived during the early Middle Miocene, around 15.9 million years ago.
The species name honors Salvador Moyà-Solà, a seminal figure in vertebrate paleontology in the Iberian Peninsula who served as ICP director from its founding until 2017. The find adds to the understanding of mammalian evolution during a period of significant climate and ecological change.
Details of the discovery were published in the Journal of Mammalian Evolution. The fossil remains were recovered at Subirats, Alt Penedès, a site known for its Miocene deposits. Bear-dogs were diverse predators that filled ecological niches similar to modern canids and ursids.
This identification suggests the Els Casots ecosystem hosted a richer predator community than previously recognized. The work highlights the continued importance of this fossil site for reconstructing Miocene biodiversity patterns in Europe.
The study underscores how taxonomic tribute can link new species to significant scientific figures, fostering public interest in paleontology.