Paleontologists have unearthed the fossilized lower right canine tooth of a significant proborchiid Sparathodont in Brazil’s Taubaté Basin.
The lower right canine tooth of a large proborchiid sparasodont excavated from the Tremembé Formation in Brazil. Scale bar – 5 mm inches (AE) and 20 mm inches (H). Image credit: Rangel et al., doi: 10.4072/rbp.2025.2.0534.
The newly discovered fossils date back to the Oligocene Desedan period, approximately 29 to 21 million years ago.
This specimen has been classified as a yet unnamed member of the Proborhyaenidae, an extinct family of South American mammals within the Metatherian order of Sparassodonta.
These creatures played the role of carnivorous predators on the Cenozoic continents.
“Sparassodonta represents an extinct clade of metatherians exclusive to South America, which served as the primary predator of terrestrial mammals on this continent throughout the Cenozoic era,” noted paleontologist Dr. Caio César Rangel from the Federal University of Uberlandia and the Federal University of Pernambuco and colleagues.
“Their evolutionary journey included two significant diversification events, first during the Eocene and later in the Miocene.”
“The Oligocene is marked by cooler temperatures compared to the late Eocene and Miocene.”
“This global cooling trend led to substantial environmental changes, resulting in a turnover in fauna across South America, including both extinctions and diversifications among various Metatherian clades.”
Reconstruction of Thylacosmilus atrochus, a type of post-saber-toothed beast that is part of the sister lineage to the Proborhyaenidae. Image credit: Roman Uchytel.
Paleontologists retrieved the new specimen, measuring 5.73 centimeters (2.3 inches) in length, from the lower section of the Tremembé Formation in São Paulo state, eastern Brazil.
The researchers explained, “The Taubate Basin is situated in São Paulo in southeastern Brazil, stretching from the city of Cachoeira Paulista to Jacarei.”
“It measures approximately 150 km (93 miles) in length and 10–20 km (6–12 miles) in width and lies within a rift between the Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira mountains.”
“The Tremembé Formation is the sole Late Oligocene fossil site in Brazil that preserves a diverse array of mammalian fossils and native species,” they added.
“The fauna within this area includes representatives from Metatheria, Pteroptera, Rodentia, Singleta, Astrapoteria, Litopterna, Notungulata, and Pyrotheria.”
This ancient predator thrived in wetland and lake environments and is believed to have held the position of apex predator.
The researchers noted, “The observable wear on the crown and the associated undulations found on the canines indicate that their frequent use is likely related to the capture or active processing of prey by adult specimens.”
This discovery broadens the geographic distribution of Proborhyaenidae and marks the second record of this member of the Sparasodontidae in Brazil.
“This record enhances the diversity of large mammals found in the Tremembé Formation,” the authors stated.
“In general, this region serves as a crucial geological and paleontological resource that offers valuable insights into the final phases of the Paleogene period in tropical South America.”
For more about this discovery, refer to the published paper in the August 2025 issue of Revista Brasileira de Paleontology.
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CC Rangel et al. 2025. The “swamp monster” of the Tremembé Formation (Taubaté Basin, Brazil, late Oligocene): description of a carnivorous metatherian (Sparasodonta, Proborhyaenidae). Revista Brasileira de Paleontology 28 (2): e20250534; doi: 10.4072/rbp.2025.2.0534
The fitness technology scene is thriving like never before, offering numerous ways to monitor and analyze every run, ride, or workout session. From high-tech carbon-plated running shoes to innovative foam floats for the pool, the latest wave of fitness gear aims to help you break records, win races, and enhance your athletic performance.
Not all devices, wearables, or training tools align with your fitness goals, so it’s crucial to know where to invest your hard-earned money. To sift through marketing hype, I consulted various sports experts to pinpoint technologies that truly make a difference. Surprisingly, the most effective options aren’t always the latest or most expensive models—some are quite simple.
Transitioning to clipless pedals enhances your cycling by allowing more efficient circular movements instead of a rigid push-down motion. This also secures your feet in place for greater comfort during long rides, minimizing chain issues when dismounting.
For an accessible entry into clipless pedals, consider mountain bike pedals, which work on both sides, making entry and exit easier than road bike pedals that only clip in from one side. These pedals often come with simple, removable shoe cleats for easy walking.
Rock Rider Mountain Bike Shoes
£79.99 at Decathlon
Shimano Clipless Cycling Pedal
£27.99 at Halfords£28.62 on Amazon
Turbo Trainer and Third-Party Training Software
For beginners, a turbo trainer can transform your bike into an effective indoor training tool. Advancements in technology have made these trainers more user-friendly. Hales notes, “The main advantage of a turbo trainer is environmental control, eliminating distractions from traffic or road conditions, allowing you to focus on your specific training sessions.”
Today, turbo trainers come equipped with engaging software like Zwift or Rouvy, making indoor training more exciting than ever before.
A GPS watch is invaluable for runners, offering the ability to record distance and speed while tracking progress. This functionality serves as great motivation.
Following a training plan becomes easier, guiding when to increase pace or slow down. The data collected allows for assessment of the runner’s efforts.
Choose a reliable running watch; the Apple Watch is sleek but may lack in data accuracy. The Garmin Forerunner series is known for its dependability.
Garmin Forerunner 165 Music
£249 at John Lewis£289.99 on Garmin
Garmin Forerunner 570
£459.99 on Garmin£459.99 at Runners
Carbon Running Shoes
Shoes featuring carbon plates enhance running efficiency. Research indicates that each step in these shoes requires less oxygen compared to traditional options, as they function like springs, providing significant propulsion.
Evidence shows they can benefit runners across skill levels, not just elite athletes (supported by both scientific findings and anecdotal evidence from marathon finish times).
It’s important to try various models for comfort. High-performing options include Nike AlphaFly and Vaporfly, ASICS METASPEED, and Saucony Endorphin Pro, with some models proving more durable than others. Generally, Nike models are rated for a lifespan of 100-200 miles, influenced by running conditions and individual forces.
The latest PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite3 has also shown outstanding performance in recent studies, though it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with race-day shoes during training sessions to maintain their efficacy. Balance usage with other shoes to ensure they’re in top condition for race days.
For those new to fitness, pace is all that matters at first. Yet as you aim for greater performance, understanding your heart rate becomes crucial in gauging your exertion. Many factors influence pace, including terrain and footwear.
It’s common for runners to overestimate their exertion level; knowing your heart rate can help you find the right training zones. This data can then inform your workouts, ensuring you’re not pushing too hard on easy days.
Although GPS watches have improved, they may still provide unreliable heart rate readings while running. Hence, a strap-based monitor can offer better accuracy. Arm-based monitors, such as those from Coros, can be particularly effective for women, as they can be less cumbersome than chest straps.
Most adults haven’t swum competitively from a young age. Using equipment like a pull buoy can help these “newer swimmers” achieve better body position and feel for the water.
A pull buoy is positioned between the thighs to elevate the body into a neutral position in the water, mitigating the need for kicking. Without it, many may find their hips sinking, making proper stroke initiation difficult.
Not all pull buoys are created equal; their size and buoyancy vary greatly. Many believe that using a pull buoy is akin to cheating, but in reality, it simplifies swimming. Without it, the struggle intensifies and can lead to fatigue, which is why less frequent swimmers may not cover much distance.
Toy Buoy 4
£17.99 at Sports Shoes
Smart Goggles
I tend to prefer traditional methods at the pool, but smart goggles have significantly improved swimming experiences. They automatically track your time and laps, eliminating the need to touch any buttons.
Additionally, these goggles can help analyze your body position in real time, providing feedback on head positioning and breathing, which can enhance swim performance.
For years, tennis lagged in tech adoption, but this is changing with tools like SwingVision, which brings smart analytics to your device, offering real-time shot tracking, line calls, and match stats.
SwingVision provides a free tier for two hours of recorded analysis monthly, making it user-friendly and accessible without any permanent infrastructure.
Running shoes propel you forward, but wearing them in the gym can hinder movement patterns. For example, during squats, executing the movement with your toes leads is crucial.
For functional training, Nike Free MetCon is highly recommended for its durability and adaptive exercise patterns. It promotes natural foot movement, providing stability during agility exercises and landings.
Nike Free MetCon 6 (Men)
£99.99 at Sports Direct£119.99 at Nike
Nike Free MetCon 6 (Women)
£71.99 at Nike£119.99 at ASOS
Lifting Belt
Hybrid training can often lead to muscle strain if you lift following a long run. It’s advisable to utilize a belt when lifting heavy to support your back and engage your glutes and hamstrings effectively.
While manual massages may be more effective, using a massage gun pre, during, or post-workout can have benefits. The rapid vibrations assist in tapping massage techniques to stimulate the nervous system and relieve tension in muscle groups.
Massage guns are excellent for targeting specific muscle areas but aren’t a substitute for comprehensive coverage. It’s difficult to treat areas like the traps effectively without help. However, they can be useful tools.
Theragun Mini Massage Gun
£199 at Therabody£199 at Argos
Hyper Volt 2 Massage Gun
£199 at Hyperice£199 on Amazon
Check out our guide on the best massage guns and essential Pilates kits for more insights.
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