This is an overview of the paleofauna of the EoceneMessel Formation as explored by the Messel Pit excavations in Germany. A former quarry and now UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Messel Formation preserves what once were a series of anoxic lakes surrounded by a sub-tropical rainforest during the Middle Eocene, approximately 47 Ma.
A possibly rheophile species sponge, it grew dominant under favorable conditions and gradually replaced the native population of Lutetiospongilla until a change to the environment. Decrease in freshwater supply likely diminished the sponges population.
A permanent resident of the Messel lake, L. heili was already present when Ephydatia arrived in the lake and differed from the other species by possibly being rheophobe. Following the later species decline, Lutetiospongilla became the second "mass species" of the lake.
Lutetiospongilla heili Holotype gemmules and large radial gemmuloscleres
An unnamed sponge, informally referred to as "Type 3" by Heil (1964). It may have colonized Messel lake after Lutetiospongilla had replaced Ephydatia as the dominant sponge species.[1]
Thaumaturus is only known from juvenile specimens, ranging in length from 3–6 cm (1.2–2.4 in).[2] Its relationship with other groups of fish remains unknown.
Messelobatrachus and M. tobieni were first coined in a 1988 PhD. dissertation, but never formally published.[43] One fossil preserves a possible tadpole of "Messelobatrachus".
Phylogenetic analysis indicates that it may be a close relative of the limbless Amphisbaenia. Only two specimens are known, one of which was found in the stomach of the varanoid Paranecrosaurus
First described as "Saniwa" feisti, it was found with the skull of Cryptolacerta in its guts. This indicates that this varanoid was at least partly carnivorous.
A small species of alligatorid, some consider it a species of Allognathosuchus. Christopher Brochu argues for the continued use of Hassiacosuchus however.[76]
Its size was intermediate between Lithornis plebius and Lithornis hookeri. Additionally, it represents the last known lithornithid in the fossil record.
A wading bird thought to be basal to both flamingos and grebes. Both the beak shape and the presence of gastroliths show that it was not yet adapted to filderfeed and instead fed on hard items.
An early genus of swift, its reduced legs and less developed wings indicate that it wasn't as aerial as its modern relatives and likely nested in trees.
The most common fossil bird found at Messel, it was likely a terrestrial animal capable of only short bursts of flight due to its short wings. It may have had a comb or crest atop its head.
Originally described as an owl from the Geiseltal, it was later found to be related to mousebirds. Its tail is notably shorter than that of its extant relatives. It is possible that the indetermined species instead belongs to Anneavis.
Relatives of the modern hoopoe and wood hoopoe, they were birds with long, pointed beaks and diminutive body size. The tail feathers of one specimen show they were barred, preserving a pattern of dark and light stripes.
Several groups of Messel birds share characteristics with the modern seriemas, which has led to them being placed within the clade Cariamae in the past. However, this placement typically occurred under the assumption that they are a group within gruiformes, which has been disputed by more recent analysis. Instead more recent publications consider Cariamae (or Cariamiformes) as basal members of Australaves.[112]
Salmila was originally described as a part of Cariamae within Gruiformes, but later analysis suggested that it was a sister taxon to the group instead. It shares characteristics with both seriemas and trumpeter birds.
Messelastur is a bird with a poorly understood ecology. Although shown to be closely related to Tynsyka, its relationship to other groups is not fully understood. Older publications suggest it may have been related to parrots or various birds of prey (including owls, hawks and falcons). One recent publication positions them at the base of Psittacopasserae alongside the Pseudasturidae (=Halcyornithidae).[119]
Zygodactyl birds originally thought to be relatives of woodpeckers, later research placed them as a sister group to the Passeriformes. Diet varries between species, with the type species likely being an insectivore while the larger Primozygodactylus mayor was found with grapes in its stomach. The wings were short and the legs long, indicating a maneuverable animal foraging in the undergrowth. At least in some species the central two tail feathers were greatly elongated and possibly used in display.
A poorly preserved pseudasturid of smaller size than Serudaptus. It may be a different species of the same genus, a juvenile, a member of the opposite sex or a unique genus.
A bird with zygodactyl feet and long claws suited for climbing. Its exact phylogenetic position is poorly understood, with some research indicating it may be a basal member of the clade containing Passeriformes and Psittaciformes.
The genus is named for the bony tubercles present on the cervical vertebrae. Although its relationship is not fully understood, it was found to not be a member of Idiornithidae and shared traits with Anhimidae and Cathartidae.
A basal genus among the Messel bats, Archaeonycteris resembles modern vesper bats in wing morphology and likely preferred more open spaces in the upper trunk areas to hunt. Stomach contents indicate a preference for beetles.[2]
Hassianycteris was a somewhat heavy bat with narrow wings. Based on its anatomy, which resembles modern free-tailed bats, it was a fast flying animal hunting above the treetops.[2]
The wing morphology of Palaeochiropteryx indicates that it flew slowly but agile relatively close to the ground to catch insects such as moths and butterflies.[2]
Buxolestes is a member of a basal group of mammals. The proportions of Buxolestes piscator are similar to modern otters and its stomach contents indicate a diet of fish and small vertebrates. B. minor shows adaptations towards digging and was found with plant material in its stomach, but likely also fed on various animals.
Macrocranion were small, likely nocturnal, animals living on the forest floor. M. tupaiodon reached a size of up to 30 cm (12 in) and was possibly omnivorous with woolly fur.[2] The smaller M. tenerum meanwhile was inferred to be insectivorous and covered in bristles. Some researchers suggest it may have moved like modern springhares.[2][138]
A larger relative of Macrocranion, Pholidocercus was an animal 40 cm (16 in). Its proportions indicate that it was a quadrupedal animal that lived on the forest floor. The tail was covered in overlapping scales and the head was similarly covered in a hardened structure while the torso was covered in thick bristles.[2]
Known from Messel in the form of three species and multiple specimens, Leptictidium was a eutherian mammal of uncertain relationships. Its hindlimbs are noticeably larger than its forelimbs, but its means of locomotion are not agreed upon.
Agile predators of the forest floor, at least one species (L. behnkeae) is known to have had a bushy tail. The exact position hyaenodontids like Lesmesodon have within mammals is debated.
Eomanis is a more derived member of Pholidota than the contemporary genera found in Messel and already shows the classic scales this group is known for.[149]
Originally species of Propalaeotherium and Lophiotherium, they were eleveted to a distinct genus in 2006. Several specimens were preserved with their fetus, showing that they only carried a single foal.
An early primate known from a single specimen preserved in two slabs. The counterslab includes several elements fabricated to make it appear more complete. The classification of Darwinius has been subject to continued debate.
An early primate primarily known from partial remains. One lower jaw was found in the coprolite of Buxolestes while another fossil was found with the tooth of a crocodile embedded into it.[2]
An arboreal rodent that resembles modern squirrels in proportion. It reached a total length of 1 m (3 ft 3 in), most of which consisting of the bushy tail, and primarily fed on leaves.[2]
M. parvus was sometimes placed in Hartenbergeromys,[2] However a 2019 study found the asserted differences to the type species insufficient to warrant this split. Its tail was only sparsely covered in fur.[163]
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