A recent discovery in the depths of evolutionary history has unveiled the existence of the smallest cat species known to date, which roamed the Earth 300,000 years ago. Identified from a jaw fragment found in an archaeological site in Huanglongdong Cave, China, this new feline species, named Prionailurus kurteni, provides a rare glimpse into prehistoric diversity.
The findings, published in the journal Annales Zoologici Fennici, are based on a fossilized lower jaw fragment featuring two well-preserved teeth. This diminutive cat weighed about 1 kilogram and measured between 35 and 50 centimeters in length, making it the oldest ancestor of the black-footed cat Felis nigripes and the rusty-spotted cat Prionailurus rubiginosus found in Sri Lanka.
According to researcher Qigao Jiangzuo from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Prionailurus kurteni was significantly smaller than a modern domestic cat, being small enough to fit in the palm of a hand even as an adult. Jiangzuo noted, “This feline was clearly smaller than a domestic cat, but also more formidable.”
Fossils of leopard cat ancestors are rare due to their forest-dwelling habits, where bones decompose quickly. However, this cat likely coexisted with early humans, scavenging for rats and mice that fed on human leftovers. This indirect coexistence suggests an intriguing connection between humans and prehistoric felines.
The Huanglongdong Cave, known for its prehistoric human remains, played a crucial role in preserving the fossil of Prionailurus kurteni. Its unique conditions allowed for the preservation of an animal that would otherwise leave few traces in forest environments due to rapid bone decomposition.
Currently, the genus Prionailurus includes five living species found in Southeast Asian forests. This discovery not only sheds light on the history of small cats but also opens new avenues for research. Scientists aim to expand studies on feline fossils in China and beyond to reconstruct the origins and diversification of the Felidae family.