# Paleofauna of the Messel Formation

This is an overview of the paleofauna of the Eocene Messel Formation as explored by the Messel Pit excavations in Germany. A former quarry and now 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 | Image |
| Spongillidae | †Ephydatia | Ephydatia gutenbergiana | Müller et al. 1982 | 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. | Ephydatia gutenbergiana gemmule |
| †Palaeospongillidae | †Lutetiospongilla | †Lutetiospongilla heili | Richter & Wuttke 1999 | 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 |
| | "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 | Image |
| Viviparidae | Viviparus | Undescribed | | A freshwater snail found in certain layers of the Messel formation. | |

## Crustaceans

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Daphniidae | Ctenodaphnia | Undescribed | | A water flea present in the oldest Messel formation stata Considered almost identical to the modern Ctenodaphnia magna. | |
| Daphniidae | Daphnia | Unidentified | | A 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. | |
| Moinidae | Moina | Undescribed | | A water flea reported by Lutz from ephippia containing two eggs. They resemble the living Moina macrocopa. | |
| ? Palaemonidae | †Bechleja | †Bechleja brevirostris | de Mazancourt, Wappler & Wedmann, 2022 | A palaemonid? freshwater shrimp known from exceptionally preserved remains. | Bechleja brevirostri |
| ? Palaemonidae | †Bechleja | †Bechleja sp. | | A palaemonid? freshwater shrimp A single fossil with a longer upcurved rostrum than B. brevirostris not named pending more fossils found. | |
| incertae sedis | incertae sedis | incertae sedis | | An undescribed freshwater shrimp discovered in 2005. | |

## Arachnids
### Araneae

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Araneidae | Undescribed | Undescribed | | An orb-weaver spider first mentioned by Wunderlich (1986). | |
| ?Cybaeidae | †Lutetiana | †Lutetiana neli | Selden & Wappler, 2019 | A possible cybaeid ground spider A Marronoidea based on leg length and claws The first described Messel arachnid. | Lutetiana neli holotype |
| Hersiliidae | Undescribed | Undescribed | | A well preserved tree trunk spider. | |

### Opiliones

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Undescribed | Undescribed | Undescribed | | Six harvestmen awaiting description. | |

## Insects
### Coleoptera

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Attelabidae | †Palaeoalatorostrum | †Palaeoalatorostrum schaali | Rheinheimer, 2007 | An Attelabine leaf-rolling weevil | |
| Cupedidae | Cupes | †Cupes messelensis | (Tröster, 1993) | A reticulated beetle species | |
| Cupedidae | Cupes | †Cupes nabozhenkoi | Kirejtshuk, 2020 | A reticulated beetle species | Cupes nabozhenkoi holotype |
| Cupedidae | Cupes | †Cupes wedmannae | Kirejtshuk, 2020 | A reticulated beetle species | Cupes wedmannae holotype |
| Curculionidae | †Palaeocrassirhinus | †Palaeocrassirhinus messelensis | Rheinheimer, 2007 | A Brachyderine weevil | |
| Curculionidae | †Palaeocrassirhinus | †Palaeocrassirhinus rugosithorax | Rheinheimer, 2007 | A Brachyderine weevil | |
| Curculionidae | †Palaeocneorhinus | †Palaeocneorhinus messelensis | Rheinheimer, 2007 | A Brachyderine weevil | |
| Elateridae | †Macropunctum | †Macropunctum angulosum | Tröster, 1999 | A click beetle species. | |
| Elateridae | †Macropunctum | †Macropunctum angustiscutellurn | Tröster, 1994 | A click beetle species. | |
| Elateridae | †Macropunctum | †Macropuncturn latiscutellurn | Tröster, 1994 | A click beetle species. | |
| Elateridae | †Macropunctum | †Macropunctum messelense | Tröster, 1994 | A click beetle species. | |
| Elateridae | †Macropunctum | †Macropunctum minuturn | (Meunier, 1921) | A click beetle species. | |
| Elateridae | †Macropunctum | †Macropunctum rebugense | Tröster, 1994 | A click beetle species. | |
| Elateridae | †Macropunctum | †Macropunctum senckenbergi | Tröster, 1994 | A click beetle species. | |
| Lucanidae | Protognathinus | †Protognathinus spielbergi | Chalumeau et al. 2001 | A 55 mm (2.2 in) long stag beetle with preserved coloration. | |
| Psephenidae | Unnamed | Unnamed | | An eubrianacine water-penny beetle Known from larval remains. | |
| Tenebrionidae | Ceropria? | Ceropria? messelense | Hornschemeyer, 1994 | A tenebrionine darkling beetle | |

### Dictyopterans

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Blaberidae | Morphna | †Morphna cenozoica | Šmídová, Vidlička & Wedmann, 2021 | A Blaberid giant cockroach. | |

### Dipterans

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Bibionidae | Plecia | †Plecia acourti †Plecia hoffeinsorum Unnamed species | Cockerell, 1921 Skartveit, 2009 | Several species of march fly. |
| Bombyliidae | Comptosia | †Comptosia pria | Wedmann & Yeates, 2008 | A species of bee fly. |
| Chaoboridae | Chaoborus | Unnamed | | Unnamed midges known from aquatic larval form. |
| Nemestrinidae | Hirmoneura | †Hirmoneura messelense | Wedmann et al., 2021 | A pollen feeding species of tangle-veined fly. |

### Hemiptera

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Aradidae | Aneurus? | Aneurus? incertus | Wappler, Heiss & Wedmann, 2015 | A species of flat bug. |
| Aradidae | Mezira | Mezira parapetrificata Mezira petrificata | Wappler, Heiss & Wedmann, 2015 | Two species of flat bug. |
| Dictyopharidae | Wedelphus | Wedelphus dichopteroides | Szwedo & Wappler, 2006 | A dictyopharid planthopper |
| Eurybrachidae | Amalaberga | Amalaberga ostrogothiorum | Szwedo & Wappler, 2006 | An eurybrachid planthopper |
| Lophopidae | Baninus | Baninus thuringiorum | Szwedo & Wappler, 2006 | A lophopid planthopper |
| Pentatomidae | Eospinosus | Eospinosus peterkulkai | Wedmann et al., 2021 | A species of shield bug exhibiting prominent spiky protrustions possibly used in defense or camouflage. |
| Tingidae | Chorotingiotes | Chorotingiotes prisca | Wappler, 2003 | A ypsotingine tingine lacebug |
| Tingidae | Exmesselensis | Exmesselensis disspinosus | Wappler, 2003 | A phatnomine canatacaderine lacebug |
| Tingidae | Lutetiacader | Lutetiacadeir petrefactus | Wappler, 2006 | A cantacaderine canatacaderine lacebug |
| Tingidae | Oblongomorpha | Oblongomorpha lutetia | Wappler, 2003 | A litadeine tingine lacebug |

### Hymenoptera

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Apidae | †Pygomelissa | †Pygomelissa lutetia | Wappler & Engel, 2003 | A bee of uncertain tribal placement. | |
| Apidae | †Protobombus | †Protobombus messelensis | Wappler & Engel, 2003 | An electrapinae bee. | |
| Formicidae | †Archimyrmex | †Archimyrmex wedmannae | Dlussky, 2012 | A myrmeciine ant with long mandibles. | Archimyrmex wedmannae holotype |
| Formicidae | †Casaleia | †Casaleia eocenica | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | An amblyoponine ant. | Casaleia eocenica holotype |
| Formicidae | †Cephalopone | †Cephalopone grandis | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine Poneromorph ant | Cephalopone grandis holotype |
| Formicidae | †Cephalopone | †Cephalopone potens | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine Poneromorph ant | Cephalopone potens holotype |
| Formicidae | †Cyrtopone | †Cyrtopone curiosa | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | |
| Formicidae | †Cyrtopone | †Cyrtopone elongata | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | |
| Formicidae | †Cyrtopone | †Cyrtopone microcephala | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | |
| Formicidae | †Cyrtopone | †Cyrtopone striata | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | Cyrtopone striata holotype |
| Formicidae | Gesomyrmex | Gesomyrmex pulcher | Dlussky, Wappler, & Wedmann, 2009 | A formicine subfamily ant | Gesomyrmex pulcher holotype |
| Formicidae | †Messelepone | †Messelepone leptogenoides | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A poneromorph ant. | Messelepone leptogenoides holotype |
| Formicidae | Pachycondyla | †Pachycondyla eocenica | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | |
| Formicidae | Pachycondyla | †Pachycondyla lutzi | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | Pachycondyla lutzi holotype |
| Formicidae | Pachycondyla | †Pachycondyla? messeliana | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | |
| Formicidae | Pachycondyla | †Pachycondyla parvula | Dlussky et al., 2015 | A ponerine ant | |
| Formicidae | Pachycondyla | †Pachycondyla petiolosa | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | |
| Formicidae | Pachycondyla | †Pachycondyla petrosa | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | |
| Formicidae | †Protopone | †Protopone? dubia | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | |
| Formicidae | †Protopone | †Protopone germanica | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | |
| Formicidae | †Protopone | †Protopone magna | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | Protopone magna holotype |
| Formicidae | †Protopone | †Protopone oculata | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | |
| Formicidae | †Protopone | †Protopone sepulta | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | |
| Formicidae | †Protopone | †Protopone vetula | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | A ponerine ant | |
| Formicidae | †Pseudectatomma | †Pseudectatomma eocenica | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | An ectatommine ant | Pseudectatomma eocenica holotype |
| Formicidae | †Pseudectatomma | †Pseudectatomma striatula | Dlussky & Wedmann, 2012 | An ectatommine ant | |
| Formicidae | †Titanomyrma | †Titanomyrma gigantea | (Lutz, 1986) | A formiciine subfamily ant | Titanomyrma simillima holotype |
| Formicidae | †Titanomyrma | †Titanomyrma simillima | (Lutz, 1986) | A formiciine subfamily ant | Titanomyrma simillima holotype |
| Ichneumonidae | †Mesornatus | †Mesornatus markovici | Spasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018 | An ichneumon wasp of uncertain subfamilial affinity | Mesornatus markovici holotype |
| Ichneumonidae | †Polyhelictes | †Polyhelictes bipolarus | Spasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018 | An ichneumon wasp of uncertain subfamilial affinity | Polyhelictes bipolarus holotype |
| Ichneumonidae | Rhyssella | †Rhyssella vera | Spasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018 | A rhyssine ichneumon wasp | Rhyssella vera holotype |
| Ichneumonidae | Scambus | †Scambus fossilobus | Spasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018 | An ephialtine pimplinae ichneumon wasp | Scambus fossilobus holotype |
| Ichneumonidae | †Trigonator | †Trigonator macrocheirus | Spasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018 | A labenine ichneumon wasp | Trigonator macrocheirus holotype |
| Ichneumonidae | Xanthopimpla | †Xanthopimpla messelensis | Spasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018 | A pimpline pimplinae ichneumon wasp | Xanthopimpla messelensis holotype |
| Ichneumonidae | Xanthopimpla | †Xanthopimpla praeclara | Spasojevic, Wedmann & Klopfstein, 2018 | A pimpline pimplinae ichneumon wasp | Xanthopimpla praeclara holotype |
| Siricidae | Xoanon? | †Xoanon? eocenicus | Wedmann, Pouillon, & Nel, 2014 | A siricid horntail wasp Uncertainly placed into Xoanon | |
| Vespidae | Vespula? | †Vespula? hassiaca | Abels & Wedmann, 2021 | A vespid wasp Tentatively placed with the yellowjackets | |

### Lepidoptera

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| ?Zygaenidae | undescribed | undescribed | | Two undescribed moth taxa Possibly belonging to Zygaenidae wings scales with preserved structural coloration | Undescribed moth |

### Neuroptera

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Mantispidae | †Symphrasites | †Symphrasites eocenicus | Wedman & Makarkin, 2007 | A symphrasine mantidfly Described from an isolated forewing | |

### Odonata

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| †Dysagrionidae | †Petrolestes | †Petrolestes messelensis | Garrouste & Nel, 2015 | A damselfly Related to the North American P. hendersoni. | |
| †Pseudostenolestidae | †Pseudostenolestes | †Pseudostenolestes bechlyi | Garrouste & Nel, 2015 | A damselfly species. | |

### Orthoptera

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Tetrigidae | †Archaeoarmatus | †Archaeoarmatus messelensis | Kasalo et al. (2024) | A batrachideine pygmy grasshopper. | |
| Tetrigidae | †Messeltettix | †Messeltettix cryptoantennatus | Kasalo et al. (2024) | A batrachideine pygmy grasshopper. | |

### Phasmatodea

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Phasmatodea | †Eophyllium | †Eophyllium messelensis | Wedmann, Bradler & Rust, 2007 | A Phylliidae leaf insect, The camouflage adaptions of modern Phylliids were already present in E. messelensis. | |

## Fish
### Amiiformes

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Amiidae | †Cyclurus | †Cyclurus kehreri | (Andreae, 1893) | An amiine bowfin relative | Cyclurus kehreri |

### Anguilliformes

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Anguillidae | Anguilla | †Anguilla ignota | Micklich, 1985 | Anguilla ignota fossils suggest a likely aquatic link to an ocean. | |

### Lepisosteiformes

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Lepisosteidae | Atractosteus | Atractosteus messelensis | Grande, 2010 | One of three Messel gar species. |
| Lepisosteidae | Atractosteus | †Atractosteus strausi | (Kinkelin, 1884) | One of three Messel gar species. |
| Lepisosteidae | †Masillosteus | †Masillosteus kelleri | Micklich & Klappert, 2001 | A 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 |
| Moronidae | Palaeoperca | Palaeoperca proxima | Micklich, 1978 | Palaeoperca may have been open water fish. |
| Percichthydae | Amphiperca | Amphiperca multiformis | Weitzel, 1933 | Amphiperca likely was a thrust or ambush hunter catching prey from near-shore hiding spots. |
| incertae sedis | Rhenanoperca | Rhenanoperca minuta | Gaudant & Micklich, 1990 | A 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 | Image |
| Thaumaturidae | Thaumaturus | Thaumaturus intermedius | Weitzel, 1933 | Thaumaturus is only known from juvenile specimens, ranging in length from 3–6 cm (1.2–2.4 in). Its relationship with other groups of fish remains unknown. | |

## Amphibians
### Caudata

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Salamandridae | Chelotriton | Chelotriton robustus | Westphal, 1980 | A newt, possibly related to ribbed newts and crocodile newts. |
| Salamandridae | Chelotriton | Chelotriton sp. | Undescribed | A newt, possibly related to ribbed newts and crocodile newts. | |

### Anura

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Palaeobatrachidae | "Messelobatrachus" | "Messelobatrachus tobieni" | Nomen nudum | Messelobatrachus and M. tobieni were first coined in a 1988 PhD. dissertation, but never formally published. One fossil preserves a possible tadpole of "Messelobatrachus". |
| Pelobatidae | Eopelobates | Eopelobates wagneri | Weitzel, 1938 | A spadefoot toad relative It was likely primarily terrestrial and entered the lake to spawn, as shown by preserved eggs. |
| Pipidae | Undescribed | Undescribed | | Two undescribed specimens of Xenopinae clawed frogs. |
| Incertae sedis | Lutetiobatrachus | Lutetiobatrachus gracilis | Wuttke, 1998 | First coined in 1988, but nomen nudum until redescription in 2012. |

## Squamata

| Clade | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Anguidae | Ophisauriscus | Ophisauriscus quadrupes | Kuhn, 1940 | A serpentine reptile with vestigial limbs. It shows evidence of different osteoderm morphology after tail regeneration. |
| Anguidae | Placosauriops | "Placosauriops abderhaldeni" | Kuhn, 1940 | A type of melanosaurinin Glyptosaurine of dubious assignment, as the type material has not been adequately diagnosed. |
| Boidae | Eoconstrictor | Eoconstrictor fischeri | (Schaal, 2004) | An early species of boa previously known as Palaeopython fischeri. |
| Boidae | Messelophis | Messelophis variatus | Baszio, 2004 | A minute boa |
| Boidae | Rieppelophis | Rieppelophis ermannorum | (Schaal & Baszio, 2004) | A minute boa previously regarded as a species of Messelophis. |
| Corytophanidae | Geiseltaliellus | Geiseltaliellus maarius | Smith, 2009 | An extinct, possibly arboreal, relative of the modern basilisk lizard. |
| Eolacertidae | Eolacerta | Eolacerta robusta | Nöth, 1940 | A large species of lizard, reaching a length of 30 cm (12 in) and a weight of 1 kg (2.2 lb). |
| Eolacertidae | Stefanikia | Stefanikia siderea | Čerňanský & Smith, 2017 | A close relative of Eolacerta, the two genera were recovered as a sister-group to modern lizards. |
| Erycinae | Rageryx | Rageryx schmidi | Smith & Scanferla, 2021 | A non-burrowing sandboa that reached a length of 52 cm (20 in). |
| Cf. Lacertidae | Undescribed | Undescribed | | An undescribed arboreal lizard relative. |
| Gekkota | Undescribed | Undescribed | | A partly disarticulated skeleton of a gekko |
| Helodermatidae | Eurheloderma | Eurheloderma sp. | | A relative of the extant gila monster, it was likely already venomous. |
| Lacertibaenia | Cryptolacerta | Crytolacerta hassiaca | Müller et al., 2011 | 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 |
| Messelopythonidae | Messelopython | Messelopython freyi | Zaher & Smith, 2020 | A medium sized pythonoid. |
| Messelopythonidae | Palaeopython | Palaeopython schaali | Smith & Scanferla, 2022 | A pythonoid snake of similar size to Eoconstrictor. Several traits of the skull suggest it may have been arboreal. |
| Palaeovaranidae | Palaeovaranus | Palaeovaranus sp. | | Identified as Necrosaurus by Smith, Čerňanský and Scanferla, it is smaller than Paranecrosaurus. |
| Palaeovaranidae | Paranecrosaurus | Paranecrosaurus feisti | (Stritzke, 1983) | 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. |
| Pan-Shinisaurus | Pan Shinisaurus indet. | Pan Shinisaurus indet. | | The shed tail of a crocodile lizard, showing adaptation for swimming. |
| Polychrotidae | Undescribed | Undescribed | | A possible relative of the modern bush anole. |
| Scincidae | Scincidae indet. | Scincidae indet. | | |
| Scincoidea | Ornatocephalus | Ornatocephalus metzleri | Weber, 2004 | An arboreal lizard with long claws and a prehensile tail, it was found with plants remains in its guts. |

## Testudinata

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Carettochelyidae | Allaeochelys | Allaeochelys crassesculptata | (Harrassowitz, 1922) | A relative of the modern pig-nosed turtle, one fossil preserves two specimens while mating. |
| Geoemydidae | Euroemys | Euroemys kehreri | Staesche, 1928 | A species of pond turtles of uncertain relationship, it was previously thought to be a species of Ocadia and Palaeoemys. |
| Geoemydidae | Francellia | Francellia messeliana | Staesche, 1928 | A species of pond turtles of uncertain relationship, it was previously thought to be a species of Ocadia and Palaeoemys. |
| Geoemydidae | Juvemys | Juvemys sp. | Hervet, 2003 | A species of pond turtles. |
| Podocnemididae | Neochelys | Neochelys franzeni | Schleich, 1993 | A podocnemidid side-necked turtle |
| Trionychidae | Palaeoamyda | Palaeoamyda messeliana | (Reinach, 1900) | A species of softshell turtle |

## Crocodyliformes

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Alligatoroidea | Diplocynodon | Diplocynodon darwini Diplocynodon deponaie | (Ludvig, 1877) (Frey, Laemmert & Riess, 1987) | The two species can be differentiated by the presence of well-developed osteoderms on the tail of Diplocynodon deponaie. |
| Alligatoridae | Hassiacosuchus | Hassiacosuchus haupti | Weitzel, 1935 | A small species of alligatorid, some consider it a species of Allognathosuchus. Christopher Brochu argues for the continued use of Hassiacosuchus however. |
| Bergisuchidae | Bergisuchus | Bergisuchus dietrichbergi | Kuhn, 1968 | Member of the terrestrial Sebecosuchians with ziphodont teeth. |
| Crocodyloidea | "Asiatosuchus" | "Asiatosuchus" germanicus | Berg, 1966 | A large and well known species of the paraphyletic genus Asiatosuchus. |
| Planocraniidae | Boverisuchus | Boverisuchus magnifrons | Kuhn, 1938 | A terrestrial Crocodilian previously assigned to the now dubious Pristichampsus |
| Tomistominae | Tomistominae indet. | Tomistominae indet. | | |

## Birds
### Palaeognathae

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Lithornithidae | Lithornis | Lithornis sp. | | Its size was intermediate between Lithornis plebius and Lithornis hookeri. Additionally, it represents the last known lithornithid in the fossil record. | |
| Incertae sedis | Palaeotis | Palaeotis weigelti | Lambrecht, 1928 | A flightless palaeognath, previous analysis considered it to be a relative to ostriches or rheas. More recent research however doubts this. | |

### Anseriformes

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Gastornithidae | Gastornis | Gastornis geiselensis | Fischer, 1978 | A large, herbivorous galloansere. | |

### Galliformes

| Clade | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Gallinuloididae | Paraortygoides | Paraortygoides messelensis | Mayr, 2000 | One of the earliest known galliforms, the lack of a crop indicates they fed on only soft plant material. | |

### Mirandornithes

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| | Juncitarsus | Juncitarsus merkeli | Olson & Feduccia, 1980 | 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. | |

### Cuculiformes

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Foratidae? | Unnamed | Unnamed | | Known from an isolated skull similar to the larger Foro panarium. | |

### Strisores

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| | Cypseloramphus | Cypseloramphus dimidius | Mayr, 2016 | A tentative apodiform. |
| Archaeotrogonidae | Hassiavis | Hassiavis laticauda | Mayr, 1998 | The skull of Hassiavis closely resembles that of modern owlet-nightjars, being broad and short. |
| | Masillapodargus | Masillapodargus longipes | Mayr, 2001 | A relative of the modern frogmouths. |
| Jungornithidae? | Parargornis | Parargornis messelensis | Mayr, 2003 | A swift-like bird with short wings and long tail feathers, phylogenetic analysis indicate that it was a basal type of hummingbird. |
| Nyctibiidae | Paraprefica | Paraprefica kelleri Paraprefica major | Mayr, 1999 | An old-world genus of potoo. The two species can clearly be differentiated by size. |
| | Protocypselomorphus | Protocypselomorphus manfredkelleri | Mayr, 2005 | An aerial insectivore with reduced feet, it was recovered as a sister-taxon to all other Strisores. |
| Pan-Apodidae | Scaniacypselus | Scaniacypselus szarskii | (Peters, 1985) | 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. |

### Charadriiformes

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Jacanidae? | Vanolimicola | Vanolimicola longihallucis | Mayr, 2017 | A small wading bird with elongated hallux. It is possibly a jacanid or a Songziidae rail-relative Gruiform. | |

### Gruimorphae

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Messelornithidae | Messelornis | Messelornis cristata | Hesse, 1988 | 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. | |

### Suliformes

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Sulidae? | Masillastega | Masillastega rectirostris | Mayr, 2002 | A bird tentatively referred to Sulidae, it was approximately the size of a modern European shag. It was likely piscivorous. | |

### Pelecaniformes

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Threskiornithidae | Rhynchaeites | Rhynchaeites messelensis | Wittich, 1898 | Also known as the "snipe-rail" for its similarities to rails and painted snipes, it was actually a type of ibis. | |

### Strigiformes

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Palaeoglaucidae | Palaeoglaux | Palaeoglaux artophoron | Peters, 1992 | A small owl preserving ribbon-like feathers arranged in a dense layer on its back. | |

### Coraciimorphae

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Sandcoleidae | Chascacocolius | Chascacocolius cacicirostris | Mayr, 2005 | A coliiform bird with a conical beak. |
| Eocoraciidae | Eocoracias | Eocoracias brachyptera | Mayr, 2000 | An early species of roller, analysis of the plumage gave indication as to what its colours would have been in life. |
| Sandcoleidae | Eoglaucidium | Eoglaucidium pallas Eoglaucidium sp. indet. | Mayr & Peters, 1998 | 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. |
| Gracilitarsidae | Gracilitarsus | Gracilitarsus mirabilis | Mayr, 1998 | The shape of the beak indicates that Gracilitarsus was either an insectivore or fed on nectar. |
| Coliidae | Masillacolius | Masillacolius brevidactylus | Mayr & Peters, 1998 | An extinct species of mousebird. |
| Trogonidae | Masillatrogon | Masillatrogon pumilio | Mayr, 2009 | An extinct species of trogon that supports the hypothesis that the family originated in the Old World. |
| Messelirrisoridae | Messelirrisor | Messelirrisor grandis Messelirrisor halycrostris Messelirrisor parvus | Mayr, 2000 Mayr, 1998 Mayr, 1998 | 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. |
| Leptosomidae? | Plesiocathartes | Plesiocathartes kelleri | Mayr, 2002 | A possible relative of the modern cuckoo-roller. |
| Primobucconidae | Primobucco | Primobucco frugilegus Primobucco perneri | Mayr, Mourer-Chaviré & Weidig, 2004 | The first recorded species of Primobucco in Europe. |
| Incertae sedis | Quasisyndactylus | Quasisyndactylus longibrachis | Mayr, 1998 | Quasisyndactylus is thought to be a relative of modern kingfishers, todies and motmots. |
| Coliidae | Selmes | Selmes absurdipes | Peters, 1999 | A genus of mousebird. |

### Cariamiformes (?)

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.
| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Idiornithidae | Dynamopterus | Dynamopterus cf. itardiensis Dynamopterus tuberculata | (Mourer-Chauviré, 1983) (Peters, 1995) | Previously known as Idiornis, it was later found to be synonymous with Dynamopterus. |
| Salmilidae | Salmila | Salmila robusta | Mayr, 2000 | 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. |
| Ameghinornithidae | Strigogyps | Strigogyps sapea | (Peters, 1987) | Previously known as Aenigmavis, stomach contents indicate it was a herbivore. The phylogenetic position of Strigogyps is uncertain. |

### Falconiformes

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Masillaraptoridae | Masillaraptor | Masillaraptor parvunguis | Mayr, 2006 | A long-legged, possibly more terrestrial bird. It shares several traits with modern falcons, but may be a more basal member of Falconiformes. | |

### Psittacopasserae

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Messelasturidae | Messelastur | Messelastur gratulator | Peters, 1994 | 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). |
| Quercypsittidae? | Palaeopsittacus | Palaeopsittacus cf. georgei | Harrison, 1982 | Although initially assigned to Psittaciformes, later research instead suggested the idea that it was a type of frogmouth instead. |
| Zygodactylidae | Primozygodactylus | Primozygodactylus ballmanni Primozygodactylus danielsi Primozygodactylus eunjooae Primozygodactylus longibrachium Primozygodactylus mayor Primozygodactylus quintus | Mayr, 1998 Mayr, 1998 Mayr and Zelenkov, 2009 Mayr, 2016 Mayr, 1998 | 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. |
| Pseudasturidae | Pseudorasturidae indet. | Pseudorasturidae indet. | | 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. |
| Psittacopedidae | Psittacopes | Psittacopes lepidus | Mayr & Daniels, 1998 | A bird originally classified as a parrot, later research indicated that it may instead be closer to passeriforms. |
| Psittacopedidae | Pumiliornis | Pumiliornis tessellatus | Mayr, 1999 | A bird the size of a small wren. |
| Pseudasturidae | Serudaptus | Serudaptus pohli | Mayr, 2000 | 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. |

### Incertae sedis

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Eopachypterygidae | Eopachypteryx | Eopachypteryx praeterita Eopachypteryx ? sp. | Mayr, 2015 | |
| Incertae sedis | Lapillavis | Lapillavis incubarens | Mayr, 2016 | |
| Incertae sedis | Perplexicervix | Perplexicervix microcephalon | Mayr, 2010 | 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. |

## Mammals
### Apatotheria

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Apatemyidae | Heterohyus | Heterohyus nanus | Teilhard de Chardin, 1921 | A mammal with elongated fingers and strong teeth that resembles the modern aye-aye and likely filled a similar niche. | |

### Artiodactyla

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Dichobunidae | Aumelasia | Aumelasia cf. gabineaudi | Sudré, 1980 | A lightly built early artiodactyl with a noticeably long tail. Aumelasia is referred to the Diacodexeidae by some researchers. |
| Dichobunidae | Messelobunodon | Messelobunodon schaeferi | Franzen, 1980 | An early species of even-toed ungulate. |
| Choeropotamidae | Masillabune | Masillabune martini | Tobien, 1980 | An early species of even-toed ungulate. |

### Chiroptera

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Archaeonycteridae | Archaeonycteris | Archaeonycteris pollex Archaeonycteris trigonodon | Storch & Habersetzer, 1988 Revilliod, 1917 | 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. | Archaeonycteris trigonodon |
| Hassianycterididae | Hassianycteris | Hassianycteris magna Hassianycteris messelensis Hassianycteris? revilliodi | Smith & Storch, 1981 Smith & Storch, 1981 (Russell & Sigé, 1970) | 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. | Archaeonycteris trigonodon |
| Palaeochiropterygidae | Palaeochiropteryx | Palaeochiropteryx spiegeli Palaeochiropteryx tupaiodon | Revilliod, 1917 | 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. | |
| Emballonuridae | Tachypteron | Tachypteron franzeni | Storch, Sigé & Habersetzer, 2002 | A fast flying species that inhabited open airspaces, Tachypteron resembled the modern black-bearded tomb bat in proportions. | |

### Cimolesta

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Pantolestidae | Buxolestes | Buxolestes piscator Buxolestes minor | Koenigswald 1980 Pfretzschner 1999 | 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. |
| Paroxyclaenidae | Kopidodon | Kopidodon macrognathus | (Wittich, 1902) | Kopidodon was the first mammal discovered in Messel and grew to a length of 115 cm (45 in). It shows some adaptations towards a climbing lifestyle. |
| Paroxyclaenidae | "Paroxyclaenus" | "Paroxyclaenus" sp. | | An undescribed relative of Kopidodon differing through the lack of a pronounced sagittal crest. |

### Eulipotyphla

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Amphilemuridae | Macrocranion | Macrocranion tenerum Macrocranion tupaiodon | Tobien, 1962 Weitzel, 1949 | 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. The smaller M. tenerum meanwhile was inferred to be insectivorous and covered in bristles. Some researchers suggest it may have moved like modern springhares. | |
| Amphilemuridae | Pholidocercus | Pholidocercus hassiacus | von Koenigswald & Storch, 1983 | 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. | |

### Leptictida

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Pseudorhyncocyonidae | Leptictidium | Leptictidium auderiense Leptictidium nasutum Leptictidium tobieni | Tobien, 1962 Storch & Lister, 1985 Von Koenigswald & Storch, 1987 | 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. | |

### Metatheria

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Herpetotheriidae | Amphiperatherium | Amphiperatherium goethei Amphiperatherium cf. maximum | Crochet, 1979 | A metatherian mammal, it was larger than Peradectes but with a proportionally shorter tail. |
| Herpetotheriidae | Herpetotheriidae indet. | | | Either Amphiperatherium or Peratherium. |
| Peradectidae | "Peradectes" | "Peradectes sp." | | A small arboreal mammal similar to Peradectes with a prehensile tail. |

### Pan-Carnivora

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Proviverridae | Lesmesodon | Lesmesodon behnkeae Lesmesodon edingeri | (Morlo & Habersetzer, 1999) (Springhorn, 1982) | 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. |
| Miacidae | Messelogale | Messelogale kessleri | (Springhorn, 1982) | Originally thought to be a species of Miacis, it was elevated to its own genus in 2000. Unlike Lesmesodon it was an arboreal hunter. |
| Miacidae | Paroodectes | Paroodectes feisti | Springhorn, 1980 | An arboreal miacid. |

### Pholidota

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Eomanidae | Eomanis | Eomanis waldi | Storch, 1978 | 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. |
| | Euromanis | Euromanis krebsi | (Storch & Martin, 1994) | A type of scaleless pangolin originally described as a species of Eomanis. |
| Eurotamanduidae | Eurotamandua | Eurotamandua joresi | Storch, 1981 | Described as an anteater based on the enlarged claws and elongated skull, later research concluded that it was more likely to be a type of pangolin. |

### Perissodactyla

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Palaeotheriidae | Eurohippus | Eurohippus parvulus Eurohippus messelensis | (Laurillard, 1849) (Haupt, 1925) | 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. |
| | Hallensia | Hallensia matthesi | Franzen & Haubold, 1986 | A small species of primitive horse. |
| Hyrachyidae | Hyrachyus | Hyrachyus minimus | Fischer, 1829 | An early rhinoceratoid or tapir, its discovery played a rolle in making Messel a protected site. |
| Palaeotheriidae | Propalaeotherium | Propalaeotherium hassiacum | Haupt, 1925 | An early species of horse reaching a shoulder height of 55–60 cm (22–24 in), making it larger than Eurohippus. |

### Primates

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes |
| Adapidae | Darwinius | Darwinius masillae | Franzen et al., 2009 | 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. |
| Adapidae | Europolemur | Europolemur kelleri Europolemur koenigswaldi | Franzen, 2000 Franzen, 1987 | 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. |
| Adapidae | Godinotia | Godinotia neglecta | (Thalmann et al., 1989) | Preserved stomach contents of Godinotia suggest that it primarily fed on leaves and fruit. |

### Rodentia

| Family | Genus | Species | Authority | Notes | Image |
| Alagomyidae | Ailuravus | Ailuravus macrurus | Weitzel, 1949 | 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. | |
| Gliridae | Eogliravus | Eogliravus wildi | Hartenberger, 1971 | The oldest known dormouse E. wildi had a long, bushy tail It was likely herbivorous, feeding on seeds and plant buds. | |
| Ischyromyidae | Masillamys | Masillamys beegeri | | | |
| Ischyromyidae | Masillamys | Masillamys krugi | | | |
| Ischyromyidae | Masillamys | Masillamys parvus | Tobien, 1954 | M. parvus was sometimes placed in Hartenbergeromys, 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. | Masillamys |