The new species was named Enhydriodon omoensis. It lived on earth from 3.5 to 2.5 million years ago and coexisted with a group of extinct
E. omoensis may have eaten both terrestrial and aquatic prey while hunting or scavenging, but researchers believe it spent its days on land rather than in water.
In addition to the huge size, the feature of the otter wasin that it was not aquatic, like all modern species. Scientists found out by analyzing isotopes in the teeth of Enhydriodon omoensis. The researchers found that his diet was similar to that of land animals.
Reconstruction of the otter Enhydriodon omoensis (onbackground) compared with three modern species from left to right: South American giant otter; sea otter; and the African otter. The insets show the femur and teeth of an otter.
Photo: Sabine Riffo, Camille Grohe/Palevoprim/CNRS - University of Poitiers
The new species was named after the Lower Omo Valley onsouthwest Ethiopia, where he discovered the remains. The weight was calculated by studying the fossils of the teeth and femur. The researchers also measured the ratio of isotopes - variations of the element with different numbers of neutrons - stable oxygen and carbon in tooth enamel. The oxygen values suggested how dependent the species was on water.
Previously, scientists believed that the genus Enhydriodon leadsIt is semi-aquatic and feeds on animals such as shellfish and turtles. E. omoensis is one of several species of giant otters that lived in Eurasia and Africa approximately 2 million years ago.
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On the cover: an illustration of an extinct giant otter named Enhydriodon omoensis.
Image credit: Sabine Riffaud/PALEVOPRIM/Université de Poitiers/CNRS