Fossilized Remains of Prehistoric Panda Discovered in Spain
Posted on May 16, 2012
Researchers have discovered the fossilized remains of a creature genetically related to the giant panda in Spain. The bear, Agriarctos beatrix, was identified by its fossilized teeth, which is the only part of the bear discovered.
Researchers say the small bear weighed about 130 pounds and inhabited forests in Spain around 11 million years ago. The researchers say the bear would have been even smaller that the Malayan sun bear, the smallest modern bear. Although they only found the fossilized teeth of the bear, the researchers say the bear likely had a dark coat with white spots. They also say it had a diet similar to the sun bear, which included fruit, vegetables, small vertebrates, insects, honey and carrion.
Juan Abella, a researcher at the Department of Paleobiology MNCN -CSIC and first author of the study, says, "This pattern is considered primitive for the bears, similar to the giant panda, in fact, have such large spots that appear to be white with black spots."
The fossil remains of the bear were discovered by researchers at the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC) and University of Valencia. The research paper was published in the journal, Geological Survey.