Nine million years ago Europe rule (among others) trio harsh mammals: "sabaconidae and two saber-toothed cats. This unusual company got along very well with each other near the modern Madrid (Spain).

Machairodus aphanistus (with the lion) and Promegantereon ogygia (something like leopard) belonged to the family cat. They lived in the forests and probably hunted the same game - horses and wild boars. Apparently, the method of killing them was similar: a long and flat top canines cat tore the throat obedienoe the victim, and the lower jaw while playing the role of support. From injuries trachea and vital vessels production quickly died.

Magericyon anceps resembled a dog, and bear the same time, but did not belong neither to the one nor the other. Judging by the teeth of the animal, it was able to gnaw through the bone. Hunted probably antelopes.

This is the result of research material obtained from teeth 69 species, including 27 saber-toothed cats and sabaconidae". Scientists have identified the carbon from the tooth enamel and measured the ratio of the heavier isotope C13 to C12. Both forms are present in carbon dioxide, which plants absorb during photosynthesis. When herbivores eats a plant, it leaves its isotopic mark in bones and teeth of the animal.

Although saber-toothed cats hunted the same game, researchers believe that smaller species could hide behind trees, avoiding meeting with the larger. "Sabaconidae" preferred an open space and with cats rarely crossed.

By analogy with modern predators experts conclude that the ancient hunters hardly fed on one another, but can fight for help out of the victim or leftovers.

Toothy trio dwelt in the late Miocene in a wooded area of Cerro de Los Batallones. Two of the nine districts, where they managed to find fossils, is the pit, of which the production, apparently, could not get out, and this was used by predators.

None of the representatives of the ecosystems have not survived to our days, however, adopted on 9 million years ago, the relationship between predator and prey are saved.

The study is published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

Based on the materials Discovery News.