Newly uncovered fossils reveal the origins of a number of mammals including cats, dogs, bears, and seals.
The fossils are examples of an early species in the 55 million year-old mammal group called "carnivoraformes," a Society of Vertebrate Paleontology news release reported.
The species is called Dormaalocyon latouri. It has been recognized in the past but these fossils, which were found in Belgium, allow researchers to look at the species with new clarity.
"[It's] description allows better understanding of the origination, variability and ecology of the earliest carnivoraforms," lead author Floréal Solé said.
The newly discovered fossils consist of 250 teeth and ankle bones. The finding even contains baby teeth, and allows researchers to understand the species' full dental structure.
