Beneath the arid landscape of southwestern Qatar, scientists have uncovered fossil evidence that reveals a surprisingly rich marine past, including a previously unknown species of ancient sea cow that lived more than 20 million years ago. The discovery is reshaping scientific understanding of how seagrass ecosystems in the Arabian Gulf evolved and endured over geological time.
The extinct species, named Salwasiren qatarensis, was formally described in a study published on December 10, 2025, in the peer-reviewed open-access journal PeerJ. The research identifies Qatar as home to the world’s densest known fossil site of sea cows, marine mammals closely related to today’s dugongs and manatees.
“This region has been prime sea cow habitat for over 20 million years,” said Nicholas Pyenson, curator of fossil marine mammals at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and lead author of the study. “What we’re seeing is a long continuity of ecological roles, even though the species themselves changed over time.”
Found Many Fossil
The fossils were recovered from Al Maszhabiya, a site that had been known for decades but only recently examined in detail. Systematic fieldwork beginning in 2023 revealed more than 170 fossil-rich localities within a relatively small area. Many contain dense accumulations of bones, indicating repeated use of the region by ancient sea cows during the Early Miocene epoch, about 21 million years ago.
At that time, the area that is now desert was covered by shallow, warm seas filled with marine life. Fossils from Al Maszhabiya include not only sea cows but also ancient sharks, dolphins, turtles and fish, painting a picture of a thriving coastal ecosystem anchored by extensive seagrass meadows.
Salwasiren qatarensis differed noticeably from modern dugongs. It was much smaller, weighing about 113 kilograms, roughly equivalent to an adult panda. Unlike living sea cows, it retained small hind limb bones, reflecting an earlier stage in sirenian evolution before these mammals became fully adapted to life in water. Differences in skull shape and teeth suggest variations in feeding behavior, though its diet likely still centered on seagrass.
Despite its smaller size, the ancient animal likely played an outsized ecological role. Sea cows are considered ecosystem engineers, animals that shape their environment through their feeding activity. By grazing on seagrass and disturbing the seabed, they help recycle nutrients and maintain healthy marine habitats that support a wide range of species.
“The sheer density of sea cow remains at this site tells us these animals were shaping the ecosystem in a major way,” Pyenson said. “They were probably doing in the Early Miocene what dugongs do today in the Gulf.”
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Salwa
The species name reflects both geography and heritage. “Salwa” refers to the nearby Bay of Salwa, a modern stronghold for dugong populations, while “qatarensis” honors the country where the fossils were found. The naming highlights a striking link between ancient ecosystems and living marine communities in the region.
For researchers, the significance of the discovery goes beyond taxonomy. The fossils provide a long-term record of how seagrass ecosystems responded to environmental changes such as shifting sea levels, salinity fluctuations and climate variation — issues that are increasingly relevant as modern seagrass meadows face threats from warming waters, coastal development and pollution.
Ferhan Sakal, head of excavation and site management at Qatar Museums and a co-author of the study, said the findings offer valuable lessons for conservation. “Understanding how these ecosystems functioned and survived in the past can help guide how we protect them in the future,” he said.
Qatar Museums is now working to preserve Al Maszhabiya as a site of international scientific importance, with discussions underway about long-term protection and public education. Faisal Al Naimi, director of the Archaeology Department at Qatar Museums and a co-author, said the discovery strengthens the cultural and environmental significance of Qatar’s natural heritage.
The fossil remains of Salwasiren qatarensis, preserved for millions of years beneath desert sands, offer a rare glimpse into a lost marine world. They also underscore a powerful message: today’s fragile coastal ecosystems are part of a much longer story, one shaped by ancient animals whose influence still echoes in the waters of the Arabian Gulf. (Wage Erlangga)
