The creature, said to have resembled “a cross between a slender hippo and a long-legged pig,” was named after Rolling Stones front-man Mick Jagger.

Ellen Miller, a paleoanthropologist writing in the latest edition of the Journal of Paleontology, says: “We gave it a scientific name Jaggermeryx naida, which translates to ‘Jagger’s water nymph.’”

The fossil was discovered in the Egyptian desert. Its jaw had eight holes on either side, which Dr Miller believes probably held nerve clusters.

It's got the grooves like Jagger       (Image: Wake Forest University)

That means the animal may have had large luscious lips that it used to forage for food.

There was some debate in the scientific community over what to name the fossil’s species.

“Some of my colleagues suggested naming the new secies after Hollywood star Angelina Jolie, because she also has famous lips. But for me, it had to be Mick,” Dr Miller said.