A new species of amphicyonid, or "bear-dog," has been identified from fossils found in Spain, shedding light on the evolution of this ancient carnivore group.
The fossil remains of Paludocyon moyasolai were discovered at the els Casots site in the Vallès-Penedès Basin near Barcelona, Spain.
Discovery & Age
Paleontologists have identified a new species of amphicyonid, Paludocyon moyasolai, from two specimens unearthed at the els Casots site. This predator roamed the region during the Middle Miocene epoch, approximately 15.9 million years ago.
Fossil Material
The fossils consist of a partial skull with most teeth still intact, along with an isolated lower molar. Both specimens are now housed at the Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont in Sabadell, Spain.
Distinguishing Features
What makes Paludocyon moyasolai truly unique are its unusual molar proportions. The second upper molar is broader than the first, and the third upper molar is exceptionally large and highly developed. These specific characteristics are not found in any other known Paludocyon species.
Phylogenetic Analysis
Phylogenetic analysis reveals that Paludocyon moyasolai is the basalmost (earliest diverging) member of the genus Paludocyon.
The study also proposes a significant reclassification: the genus Cynelos appears to be paraphyletic. North American species currently assigned to Cynelos are actually more closely related to Paludocyon than they are to European Cynelos species. The exact taxonomic placement of these North American forms, however, remains unresolved.
Publication
The findings were published in the Journal of Mammalian Evolution (Morales et al., 2026).