Lokotunjailurus was an extinct genus of large saber-toothed cats that roamed Africa millions of years ago. Its fossil remains provide valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of feline species and the adaptations of large mammalian predators in past ecosystems.
Unearthing a Prehistoric Predator
Fossils of Lokotunjailurus have been unearthed primarily in Africa, with discoveries made at sites such as Lothagam in Kenya and the Toros Menalla Formation in the Djurab Desert of Chad. The initial type species, L. emageritus, was documented by Lars Werdelin based on Kenyan findings from the late Miocene epoch, approximately 7.4 to 5.5 million years ago. A second species, L. fanonei, was described from Chad, with deposits dating to around 7 million years ago.
A more recent discovery in 2023 at Langebaanweg ‘E’ Quarry in South Africa identified a third species, Lokotunjailurus chinsamyae, from fossils approximately 5.2 million years old. The presence of Lokotunjailurus in various African regions suggests a widespread distribution across the continent between 5 and 7 million years ago.
Anatomy and Ancient Habitat
Lokotunjailurus was a large cat, estimated to be about 90 cm (3.0 ft) tall at the shoulder, comparable in height to a lioness, but with a lighter and more slender build. Its body proportions and joint morphology suggest a cursorial lifestyle, meaning it was adapted for running. Despite its running adaptations, the structure of its shoulder bones indicates it still relied on the strength of its front paws for hunting.
A distinctive feature was its unusually large dewclaw on one digit, bigger than that of a modern lion, suggesting its importance in grappling prey. In contrast, its other claws were smaller than those of leopards. The ancient environment Lokotunjailurus inhabited during the Miocene epoch in Africa was likely a mix of forest and open grasslands, transitioning towards more open environments. It coexisted with a diverse array of animals, including primitive three-toed horses, various ruminants, swine-like ungulates, giraffes, hippos, and early hominids like Sahelanthropus tchadensis.
Its Place in Evolutionary History
The discovery of Lokotunjailurus enhances understanding of carnivore evolution and diversification, particularly saber-toothed cats, in Africa. It is classified within the Felidae family, specifically the extinct Machairodontinae subfamily, and is considered a sister lineage to Amphimachairodus and its descendants like Homotherium. This clarifies its position in the feline family tree and suggests an evolutionary connection among various scimitar-toothed cats.
The widespread distribution of Lokotunjailurus fossils across northern, central, eastern, and southern Africa, including recent South African findings, provides evidence of broader dispersal patterns for these ancient mammal groups. Similarities between sabertooth composition at Langebaanweg in Africa and Yuanmou in China hint at potential ancient migration routes or similar environmental conditions. Studying these prehistoric predators helps shed light on how environmental changes, such as continuous aridification and the spread of open grasslands in the Mio-Pliocene, influenced the evolution of various species, including early hominids.