The origin of mammals is shrouded in mystery, but every fossil clue helps rewrite the story. A new discovery on a Mediterranean island is challenging what we know about when—and where—mammal ancestors emerged.

An international research team led by the Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP) and the Museu Balear de Ciències Naturals (MUCBO | MBCN) have described a fossil animal that lived between 270 and 280 million years ago in present-day Mallorca.

Now, a team of scientists have found a new fossil that is the oldest of its kind and might even be the oldest therapsid ever discovered. This somewhat dog-like sabertoothed predator is described in a study published December 17 in the journal Nature Communications.

Scientists uncovered 280 million-year-old fossil remains of the oldest known animal with 'saber teeth.' This ancient animal is the member of an group known as the gorgonopsians.