The fossil, unearthed during excavations in Spain, is expected to provide new information about how these animals, which are distant relatives of mammal ancestors, evolved during the period when terrestrial ecosystems dominated.
Scientists determined that the newly discovered fossil is 270-280 million years old and is the oldest of its kind. The animal, with a skull length of approximately 18 centimeters, is estimated to be the size of a medium-sized dog. (DHA)