University of California, Berkeley researchers studying fossils found in a museum collection are now helping to clarify how large-fanged felines evolved. It is raising new questions about why saber-toothed cats developed the way they did.

A misidentified skull in the American Museum of Natural History in New York prompted new speculation and research. The fossil turned out to belong to a very ancient saber-toothed cat that inhabited North America more than 5 million years ago.

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A recent UC Berkeley graduate in English literature and political economy, Katie is interested in environmental reporting, local politics, arts and culture, and the ways public policy shapes communities. After writing for The Daily Californian, producing news coverage at KALX Radio, and reporting on climate and sustainability issues for EARTHDAY.ORG, she is eager to continue building her reporting experience.