This is an overview of the of the Eocene Messel Formation as explored by the Messel Pit excavations in Germany. A former quarry and current UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Messel Formation preserves what lived in and around a meromictic lake surrounded by a paratropical rainforest during the latest early to earliest middle Eocene, approximately 47 Ma. A complete list of animal taxa was published in 2024.
Sponges Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageSpongillidae†EphydatiaEphydatia gutenbergianaMüller et al. 1982A 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.†Palaeospongillidae†Lutetiospongilla†Lutetiospongilla heiliRichter & Wuttke 1999A 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."Type 3"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.
Molluscs Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageViviparidaeViviparusUndescribed A freshwater snail found in certain layers of the Messel formation.
Crustaceans Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image DaphniidaeCtenodaphniaUndescribedA water flea present in the oldest Messel formation stata Considered almost identical to the modern Ctenodaphnia magna.DaphniaUnidentifiedA Daphnia subgenus Daphnia water flea First thought to have had single egged ephippia, but this was later proven to be false. Notably similar to the living Daphnia pulex.MoinidaeMoinaUndescribedA water flea reported by Lutz from ephippia containing two eggs. They resemble the living Moina macrocopa.? Palaemonidae †Bechleja†Bechleja brevirostrisde Mazancourt, Wappler & Wedmann, 2022A palaemonid? freshwater shrimp known from exceptionally preserved remains.†Bechleja sp.A palaemonid? freshwater shrimp A single fossil with a longer upcurved rostrum than B. brevirostris not named pending more fossils found.incertae sedisincertae sedisincertae sedisAn undescribed freshwater shrimp discovered in 2005.
Arachnids Araneae Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageAraneidaeUndescribedUndescribedAn orb-weaver spider first mentioned by Wunderlich (1986).?Cybaeidae†Lutetiana†Lutetiana neliSelden & Wappler, 2019A possible cybaeid ground spider A Marronoidea based on leg length and clawsThe first described Messel arachnid.HersiliidaeUndescribedUndescribedA well preserved tree trunk spider.
Opiliones Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageUndescribedUndescribedUndescribedSix harvestmen awaiting description.
Insects Coleoptera Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageAttelabidae†Palaeoalatorostrum†Palaeoalatorostrum schaaliRheinheimer, 2007An Attelabine leaf-rolling weevilCupedidaeCupes†Cupes messelensis(Tröster, 1993)A reticulated beetle species†Cupes nabozhenkoiKirejtshuk, 2020A reticulated beetle species†Cupes wedmannaeKirejtshuk, 2020A reticulated beetle species Curculionidae †Palaeocrassirhinus†Palaeocrassirhinus messelensisRheinheimer, 2007A Brachyderine weevil†Palaeocrassirhinus rugosithoraxRheinheimer, 2007A Brachyderine weevil†Palaeocneorhinus†Palaeocneorhinus messelensisRheinheimer, 2007A Brachyderine weevil Elateridae†Macropunctum†Macropunctum angulosumTröster, 1999A click beetle species.†Macropunctum angustiscutellurnTröster, 1994A click beetle species.†Macropuncturn latiscutellurnTröster, 1994A click beetle species.†Macropunctum messelenseTröster, 1994A click beetle species.†Macropunctum minuturn(Meunier, 1921)A click beetle species.†Macropunctum rebugenseTröster, 1994A click beetle species.†Macropunctum senckenbergiTröster, 1994A click beetle species.LucanidaeProtognathinus†Protognathinus spielbergiChalumeau et al. 2001A long stag beetle with preserved coloration.PsephenidaeUnnamedUnnamedA eubrianacine water-penny beetle Known from larval remains. TenebrionidaeCeropria?Ceropria? messelenseHornschemeyer, 1994A tenebrionine darkling beetle
Dictyopterans Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageBlaberidaeMorphna†Morphna cenozoicaŠmídová, Vidlička & Wedmann, 2021A Blaberid giant cockroach.
Dipterans Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageBibionidaePlecia†Plecia acourti
†Plecia hoffeinsorum
Unnamed species Cockerell, 1921
Skartveit, 2009Several species of march fly.BombyliidaeComptosia†Comptosia priaWedmann & Yeates, 2008A species of bee fly.ChaoboridaeChaoborusUnnamedUnnamed midges known from aquatic larval form.NemestrinidaeHirmoneura†Hirmoneura messelenseWedmann et al., 2021A pollen feeding species of tangle-veined fly.
Hemiptera Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageAradidaeAneurus?Aneurus? incertusWappler, Heiss & Wedmann, 2015A species of flat bug.MeziraMezira parapetrificata
Mezira petrificataWappler, Heiss & Wedmann, 2015Two species of flat bug.DictyopharidaeWedelphusWedelphus dichopteroidesSzwedo & Wappler, 2006A dictyopharid planthopperEurybrachidaeAmalabergaAmalaberga ostrogothiorumSzwedo & Wappler, 2006A eurybrachid planthopperLophopidaeBaninusBaninus thuringiorumSzwedo & Wappler, 2006A lophopid planthopperPentatomidaeEospinosusEospinosus peterkulkaiWedmann et al., 2021A species of shield bug exhibiting prominent spiky protrustions possibly used in defense or camouflage. TingidaeChorotingiotesChorotingiotes priscaWappler, 2003A ypsotingine tingine lacebugExmesselensisExmesselensis disspinosusWappler, 2003A phatnomine canatacaderine lacebugLutetiacaderLutetiacadeir petrefactusWappler, 2006A cantacaderine canatacaderine lacebugOblongomorphaOblongomorpha lutetiaWappler, 2003A litadeine tingine lacebug
Hymenoptera Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image Apidae†Pygomelissa†Pygomelissa lutetiaWappler & Engel, 2003A bee of uncertain tribal placement.†Protobombus†Protobombus messelensisWappler & Engel, 2003An electrapinae bee. Formicidae†Archimyrmex†Archimyrmex wedmannaeDlussky, 2012A myrmeciine ant with long mandibles.†Casaleia†Casaleia eocenicaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012An amblyoponine ant.†Cephalopone†Cephalopone grandisDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine Poneromorph ant†Cephalopone potensDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine Poneromorph ant †Cyrtopone†Cyrtopone curiosaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant†Cyrtopone elongataDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant†Cyrtopone microcephalaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant†Cyrtopone striataDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine antGesomyrmexGesomyrmex pulcherDlussky, Wappler, & Wedmann, 2009A formicine subfamily ant†Messelepone†Messelepone leptogenoidesDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A poneromorph ant. Pachycondyla†Pachycondyla eocenicaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant†Pachycondyla lutziDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant†Pachycondyla? messelianaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant†Pachycondyla parvulaDlussky et al., 2015A ponerine ant†Pachycondyla petiolosaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant†Pachycondyla petrosaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant †Protopone†Protopone? dubiaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant†Protopone germanicaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant†Protopone magnaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant†Protopone oculataDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant†Protopone sepultaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant†Protopone vetulaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012A ponerine ant †Pseudectatomma†Pseudectatomma eocenicaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012An ectatommine ant†Pseudectatomma striatulaDlussky & Wedmann, 2012An ectatommine ant †Titanomyrma†Titanomyrma gigantea(Lutz, 1986)A formiciine subfamily ant†Titanomyrma simillima(Lutz, 1986)A formiciine subfamily ant Ichneumonidae†Mesornatus†Mesornatus markoviciSpasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018An ichneumon wasp of uncertain subfamilial affinity†Polyhelictes†Polyhelictes bipolarusSpasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018An ichneumon wasp of uncertain subfamilial affinityRhyssella†Rhyssella veraSpasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018A rhyssine ichneumon waspScambus†Scambus fossilobusSpasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018An ephialtine pimplinae ichneumon wasp†Trigonator†Trigonator macrocheirusSpasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018A labenine ichneumon wasp Xanthopimpla†Xanthopimpla messelensisSpasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018A pimpline pimplinae ichneumon wasp†Xanthopimpla praeclaraSpasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018A pimpline pimplinae ichneumon waspSiricidaeXoanon?†Xoanon? eocenicusWedmann, Pouillon, & Nel, 2014 A siricid horntail waspUncertainly placed into XoanonVespidaeVespula?†Vespula? hassiacaAbels & Wedmann, 2021 A vespid waspTentatively placed with the yellowjackets
Lepidoptera Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image?ZygaenidaeundescribedundescribedTwo undescribed moth taxa Possibly belonging to Zygaenidaewings scales with preserved structural coloration
Neuroptera Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageMantispidae†Symphrasites†Symphrasites eocenicusWedman & Makarkin, 2007A symphrasine mantidfly Described from an isolated forewing
Odonata Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image†Dysagrionidae†Petrolestes†Petrolestes messelensisGarrouste & Nel, 2015A damselfly Related to the North American P. hendersoni.†Pseudostenolestidae†Pseudostenolestes†Pseudostenolestes bechlyiGarrouste & Nel, 2015A damselfly species.
Orthoptera Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageTetrigidae†Archaeoarmatus†Archaeoarmatus messelensisKasalo et al. (2024)A batrachideine pygmy grasshopper.†Messeltettix†Messeltettix cryptoantennatusKasalo et al. (2024)A batrachideine pygmy grasshopper.
Phasmatodea Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImagePhasmatodea†Eophyllium†Eophyllium messelensisWedmann, Bradler & Rust, 2007A Phylliidae leaf insect, The camouflage adaptions of modern Phylliids were already present in E. messelensis.
Fish Amiiformes Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageAmiidae†Cyclurus†Cyclurus kehreri(Andreae, 1893)An amiine bowfin relative
Anguilliformes Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageAnguillidaeAnguilla†Anguilla ignotaMicklich, 1985Anguilla ignota fossils suggest a likely aquatic link to an ocean.
Lepisosteiformes Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image Lepisosteidae AtractosteusAtractosteus messelensisGrande, 2010One of three Messel gar species.†Atractosteus strausi(Kinkelin, 1884)One of three Messel gar species.†Masillosteus†Masillosteus kelleriMicklich & Klappert, 2001A rare, blunt snouted gar that likely fed on small invertebrates. It may not have been a permanent resident of the Messel lake.
Perciformes Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageMoronidaePalaeopercaPalaeoperca proximaMicklich, 1978Palaeoperca may have been open water fish.PercichthydaeAmphipercaAmphiperca multiformisWeitzel, 1933Amphiperca likely was a thrust or ambush hunter catching prey from near-shore hiding spots.incertae sedisRhenanopercaRhenanoperca minutaGaudant & Micklich, 1990A small perciform with teeth suited for a durophagous diet. Fossils show they at least occasionally fed on smaller members of their species.
Thaumaturidae Family Genus Species Authority Notes ImageThaumaturidaeThaumaturusThaumaturus intermediusWeitzel, 1933Thaumaturus is only known from juvenile specimens, ranging in length from . Its relationship with other groups of fish remains unknown.
Amphibians Caudata Family Genus Species Authority Notes Image Salamandridae ChelotritonChelotriton robustusWestphal, 1980A newt, possibly related to ribbed newts and crocodile newts.Chelotriton sp.UndescribedA newt, possibly related to ribbed newts and crocodile newts.
Anura