By Mark Prigg PUBLISHED: 14:51 EST, 23 January 2013 | UPDATED: 06:01 EST, 24 January 2013 Scientists have discovered the two-million-year-old fossil remains of a fox. The ancient ancestor of the modern-day animal was found in South Africa at a site known as the Cradle of Humankind because of its significance in human fossil discoveries. In 2008 the Malapa site yielded the discovery of Australopithecus sediba - thought to be an early human ancestor that combines simian and modern human characteristics. The mandible of 2Million year old Vulpes skinneri - named after recently deceased mammalogist and ecologist Prof John Skinner
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Fossilised remains found at 'Cradle of Humankind' site in South Africa
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Vulpes skinner believed to have existed as same time as human ancestor Australopithecus sediba
South Africa
South Africa
The entire team has expressed their privilege in naming the new species after - John Skinner, one of the great names in the study of @placeholder mammals and particularly carnivores.