Science

New saber-toothed predator from Argentina suggests its lineage survived longer than believed

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 05/10/2026, 18:55:25 UTC.

Briefings

A 2014 discovery in Argentina revealed a large predator fossil from the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene that matches saber-toothed marsupial relatives, challenging the long-held belief that this lineage went extinct. Lead author Eric del Campo and colleagues identified the specimen as a potential ancestor of modern saber-toothed cats, suggesting the lineage survived longer than previously thought. The fossil was found on the Argentine pampas near a seaside cliff, and the study was published in 2026.

Key points

• A large predator fossil from the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene epoch in Argentina matches saber-toothed marsupial relatives, challenging the belief that this lineage went extinct earlier.
• Lead author Eric del Campo and colleagues identified the specimen as a potential ancestor of modern saber-toothed cats, suggesting the lineage survived longer than previously thought.

Context and limitations

The fossil fragments were found in a seaside cliff on the Argentine pampas, and the study was published in 2026. The specific age range of the Pliocene or early Pleistocene epoch is not precisely defined in the evidence.

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