View source for Biology:Paleofauna of the Messel Pit

{{More information|Messel pit}}
This is an overview of the fossil fauna of the [[Earth:Eocene|Eocene]] Messel Pit in {{wipe|Germany}}. A former [[Earth:Quarry|quarry]] and UNESCO world heritage site, the Messel Pit preserves what once were a series of lakes surrounded by sub-tropical rainforst during the Eocene, approximately 47 Ma.
{{TOC right}}
{{Incomplete list|date=June 2022}}

==Sponges==
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="75%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|
[[Biology:Spongillidae|Spongillidae]]
|
†''[[Biology:Ephydatia|Ephydatia]]''
|
''Ephydatia gutenbergiana''<ref name=Sponges>{{Cite journal|last1=Richter|first1=G.|last2=Baszio|first2=S.|year=2009|title=Geographic and stratigraphic distribution of spongillids (Porifera) and the leit value of spiculites in the Messel Pit Fossil Site|journal=Palaeobio Palaeoenv|volume=89|pages=53–66|doi=10.1007/s12549-009-0003-7}}</ref>
|
Müller et al. 1982
|
A possibly [[Earth:Rheophile|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.
|
|-
|
†[[Biology:Palaeospongillidae|Palaeospongillidae]]
|
†''Lutetiospongilla''
|
†''Lutetiospongilla heili''<ref name=Sponges/>
|
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.
|
|-
|
|
"Type 3"<ref name=Sponges/>
|
|
|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.<ref name=Sponges/>
|
|-
|}

==Molluscs==
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="75%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|
[[Biology:Viviparidae|Viviparidae]]
|
''[[Biology:Viviparus|Viviparus]]''
|
Undescribed<ref name=GM07/> 
|
|
A freshwater snail found in certain layers of the Messel formation.
|
|-
|}

==Crustaceans==
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="75%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|
[[Biology:Daphniidae|Daphniidae]]
|
''Ctenodaphnia''
|
Undescribed<ref name=RW05>{{Cite journal|last1=Richter|first1=G.|last2=Wedmann|first2=S.|year=2005|title=Ecology of the Eocene Lake Messel revealed by analysis of small fish coprolites and sediments from a drilling core|journal=Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology|volume=223|issue=1-2|pages=147–161|doi=10.1016/j.palaeo.2005.04.002}}</ref>
|
|
A water flea found in the oldest layers of the Messel formation.<br/> It is almost identical to the living ''Ctenodaphnia magna''.
|
|-
|
[[Biology:Daphniidae|Daphniidae]]
|
''[[Biology:Daphnia|Daphnia]]''
|
Unidentified<ref name=RW05/>
|
|
A water flea originally thought to have had [[Biology:Ephippia|ephippia]] containing only one egg, this was later proven to be false.<br/> It is almost identical to the living ''[[Biology:Daphnia pulex|Daphnia pulex]]''.
|
|-
|
[[Biology:Moinidae|Moinidae]]
|
''[[Biology:Moina|Moina]]''
|
Undescribed<ref name=RW05/>
|
|
A water flea reported by Lutz from [[Biology:Ephippia|ephippia]] containing two eggs.<br/> They resemble the living ''Moina macrocopa''.
|
|-
|
''incertae sedis''
|
''incertae sedis''
|
''incertae sedis''<ref name=GM07/>
|
|An undescribed freshwater shrimp discovered in 2005.
|
|-
|}

==Arachnids==
===Araneae===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="75%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Araneidae|Araneidae]]<ref name=W86>{{Cite journal|last1=Wunderlich|first1=J.|year=1986|title=Die ersten Spinnen aus dem Mittel-Eozän der Grube Messel. Fossilfundstelle Messel, Nr. 49.|journal= Senckenbergiana lethaea|volume=67|issue=1-4|pages=171–176}}</ref>
|Undescribed
|Undescribed
|
|An [[Biology:Orb-weaver spider|orb-weaver spider]] first mentioned by Wunderlich in 1986.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Hersiliidae|Hersiliidae]]<ref name=Messelbookinsects>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=K.T.|last2=Schaal|first2=S.F.K.|last3=Habersetzer|first3=J.|year=2018|title=Messel-An Ancient Greenhouse Ecosystem |chapter=7 Jewels in the Oil Shale –  Insects and Other Invertebrates|publisher=Senckenberg |pages=67–69}}</ref>
|Undescribed
|Undescribed
|
|A well preserved [[Biology:Tree trunk spider|tree trunk spider]].
|
|-
|[[Biology:Cybaeidae|Cybaeidae]]
|''Lutetiana''
|''Lutetiana neli''<ref name=SW19>{{cite journal |last1=Selden |first1=P. |last2=Wappler |first2=T. |year=2019 |title=A new spider (Arachnida: Araneae) from the Middle Eocene Messel Maar, Germany |journal=Palaeoentomology |volume=2 |issue=6 |pages=596–601 |doi=10.11646/palaeoentomology.2.6.10 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
|Selden & Wappler, 2019
|A possible [[Biology:Cybaeidae|cybaeide]] spider and the first arachnid named from Messel. It was a ground spider that shares some traits with the [[Biology:Lycosidae|Lycosidae]], however assignment to this family is unlikely as wolf spiders are hypothesized to have only become groundwellers following the spread of grassland during the Miocene.
|
|-
|}

===Opiliones===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="75%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|
|Undescribed
|Undescribed<ref name=SW19/><ref name=Messelbookinsects/>
|
|Six harvestmen awaiting description.
|
|-
|}

==Insects==
===Coleoptera===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="75%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Cupedidae|Cupedidae]]
|''[[Biology:Cupes|Cupes]]''
|''Cupes nabozhenkoi''<ref name=Geosciences102>{{Cite journal|author=Alexander G. Kirejtshuk |year=2020 |title=Taxonomic review of fossil coleopterous families (Insecta, Coleoptera). Suborder Archostemata: Superfamilies Coleopseoidea and Cupedoidea |journal=Geosciences |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=Article 73 |doi=10.3390/geosciences10020073 |bibcode=2020Geosc..10...73K |doi-access=free }}</ref>

''Cupes wedmannae''<ref name=Geosciences102 />
|Kirejtshuk, 2020

Kirejtshuk, 2020
|
|
|-
|[[Biology:Elateridae|Elateridae]]
|''Macropunctum''
|''Macropunctum angulosum''<ref name=T99>{{Cite journal|last1=Tröster|first1=G.|year=1999|title=An unusual new fossil click-beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae) from the Middle Eocene of the Grube Messel (Germany).|journal=Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie-Monatshefte|pages=11–20|doi=10.1127/njgpm/1999/1999/11}}</ref>

Macropunctum angustiscutellurn<ref name=T94>{{Cite journal|last1=Tröster|first1=G. |year=1994|title=Neue Arten der GattungMacropunctum (Insecta, Coleoptera, Elateridae) aus der Olschieferfazies der mitteleozänen Messelformation der Grube Messel bei Darmstadt|journal=PalZ|volume=68|issue=1-2|pages=145–162|doi=10.1007/bf02989437}}</ref>

Macropuncturn latiscutellurn<ref name=T94/>

''Macropunctum messelense''<ref name=T94/>

Macropunctum minuturn<ref name=T94/>

Macropunctum rebugense<ref name=T94/>

''Macropunctum senckenbergi''<ref name=T94/>
|Tröster, 1999

Tröster, 1994

Tröster, 1994

Tröster, 1991

(Meunier, 1921)

Tröster, 1994

Tröster, 1994
|A genus of [[Biology:Click beetle|click beetle]].
|
|-
|[[Biology:Lucanidae|Lucanidae]]
|''[[Biology:Protognathinus|Protognathinus]]''
|''Protognathinus spielbergi''<ref name=C01>{{Cite journal |last=Chalumeau |first=F. |last2=Brochier |first2=B. |date=2001 |title=Une forme fossile nouvelle de Chiasognathinae : ''Protognathinus spielbergi''(Coleoptera, Lucanidae). |url=http://www.bio-nica.info/biblioteca/Chalumeau2991ProtognathinusSpielbergi.pdf |journal=Lambillionea |volume=101 |pages=593–595}}</ref>
|Chalumeau et al. 2001
|A {{convert|55|mm|abbr=on}} long stag beetle that still preserves the colors of its exoskeleton.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Psephenidae|Psephenidae]]
|Unnamed
|Unnamed<ref name=WHS11>{{Cite journal|last1=Wedmann|first1=S.|last2=Hörnschemeyer|first2=T.|last3=Schmied|first3=H.|year=2011|title=Fossil water‐penny beetles (Coleoptera: Psephenidae: Eubrianacinae) from the Eocene of Europe, with remarks on their phylogenetic position and biogeography.|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2011.01088.x|journal=Palaeontology|volume=54|issue=5|pages=965–980|doi=10.1111/j.1475-4983.2011.01088.x}}</ref>
|
|An eubrianacine [[Biology:Water-penny beetle|water-penny beetle]] known from larval remains. 
|
|-
|}

===Dictyopterans===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Blaberidae|Blaberidae]]
|''Morphna''
|''Morphna cenozoica''<ref name=PAABlaberidae>{{Cite journal|last1=Šmídová |first1=L. |last2=Vidlička |first2=L. |last3=Wedmann |first3=S. |title=Appearance of the family Blaberidae (Insecta: Blattaria) during the Cretaceous and a review of fossils of this family |year=2021 |journal=Palaeontographica Abteilung A |volume=321 |issue=1–6 |pages=71–79 |doi=10.1127/pala/2021/0109 |s2cid=243467634 }}</ref>
|Šmídová, Vidlička & Wedmann, 2021
|An extinct relative of modern giant cockroaches of the family Blaberidae.
|
|-
|}

===Dipterans===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Chaoboridae|Chaoboridae]]
|''[[Biology:Chaoborus|Chaoborus]]''
|''Chaoborus sp.''<ref name=WG07>{{Cite journal|last1=Wedmann|first1=S.|last2=Richter|first2=G.|year=2007|title=The ecological role of immature phantom midges (Diptera: Chaoboridae) in the Eocene Lake Messel, Germany|url=https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/EJC84591|journal=African Invertebrates|volume=48|issue=1|pages=59–70}}</ref>
|
|A genus of midget known from its aquatic larval form.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Bombyliidae|Bombyliidae]]
|''[[Biology:Comptosia|Comptosia]]''
|''Comptosia pria''<ref name=WY08>{{Cite journal|last1=Wedmann|first1=S.|last2=Yeates|first2=D.K.|year=2008|title=Eocene records of bee flies (Insecta, Diptera, Bombyliidae, Comptosia): their palaeobiogeographic implications and remarks on the evolutionary history of bombyliids.|journal=Palaeontology|volume=51|issue=1|pages=231–240|doi=10.1111/j.1475-4983.2007.00745.x}}</ref>
|Wedmann & Yeates, 2008
|A genus of bee fly.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Nemestrinidae|Nemestrinidae]]
|''Hirmoneura''
|''Hirmoneura messelense''<ref name=WHEZG21>{{Cite journal|last1=Wedmann |first1=S. |last2=Hörnschemeyer |first2=T. |last3=Engel |first3=M. S. |last4=Zetter |first4=R. |last5=Grímsson |first5=F. |title=The last meal of an Eocene pollen-feeding fly |year=2021 |journal=Current Biology |volume=31 |issue=9 |pages=2020–2026.e4 |doi=10.1016/j.cub.2021.02.025 |pmid=33705719 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
|Wedmann ''et al.'', 2021
|A genus of tangle-veined fly found to have fed on pollen.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Bibionidae|Bibionidae]]
|''[[Biology:Plecia|Plecia]]''
|''Plecia acourti''<ref name=SW15/>

''Plecia hoffeinsorum''<ref name=SW15>{{Cite journal|last1=Skartveit|first1=J.|last2= Wedmann|first2=S.|year=2015|title=Fossil Bibionidae (Insecta: Diptera) from the Eocene of Grube Messel, Germany.|url=http://www.studia-dipt.de/data/22077.pdf|journal=Stud Dipterol|volume=22|pages=77–83}}</ref>

Unnamed species <ref name=SW15/>
|Cockerell, 1921

Skartveit, 2009
|A genus of march fly.
|
|-
|}

===Hemiptera===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Eurybrachidae|Eurybrachidae]]
|''Amalaberga''
|''Amalaberga ostrogothiorum''<ref name="planthoppers2006">{{cite journal |last1=Szwedo |first1=J. |last2=Wappler |first2=T. |title=New planthoppers (Insecta: Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) from the Middle Eocene Messel Maar |journal=Annales zoologici |date=2006 |volume=56 |issue=3 |pages=555–566 |doi=10.3161/000345406778811907}}</ref>
|Szwedo & Wappler, 2006
|An [[Biology:Eurybrachidae|eurybrachid]] [[Biology:Planthopper|planthopper]]
|
|-
|[[Biology:Lophopidae|Lophopidae]]
|''Baninus''
|''Baninus thuringiorum''<ref name="planthoppers2006"/>
|Szwedo & Wappler, 2006
|A [[Biology:Lophopidae|lophopid]] [[Biology:Planthopper|planthopper]]
|
|-
|[[Biology:Aradidae|Aradidae]]
|''[[Biology:Aneurus|Aneurus]]''?
|''Aneurus? incertus''<ref name=PZMesselflatbugs>{{Cite journal|author1=Torsten Wappler |author2=Ernst Heiss |author3=Sonja Wedmann |year=2015 |title=New flatbug (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae) records from the Middle Eocene Messel Maar, Germany |journal=Paläontologische Zeitschrift |volume=89 |issue=3 |pages=653–660 |doi=10.1007/s12542-014-0237-1 |s2cid=83668045 }}</ref>
|Wappler, Heiss & Wedmann, 2015
|A species of flat bug.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Tingidae|Tingidae]]
|''Chorotingiotes''
|''Chorotingiotes prisca''<ref name="Wappler2003">{{cite journal|last1=Wappler |first1= T. |year=2003 |title= New fossil lace bugs (Heteroptera: Tingidae) from the Middle Eocene of the Grube Messel (Germany), with a catalog of fossil lace bugs |journal=Zootaxa |volume=374 |pages=1–26 |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.374.1.1}}</ref>
|Wappler, 2003
|A [[Biology:Ypsotingini|ypsotingine]] [[Biology:Tinginae|tingine]] lacebug
|
|-
|[[Biology:Pentatomidae|Pentatomidae]]
|''Eospinosus''
|''Eospinosus peterkulkai''<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wedmann |first1=S. |last2=Kment |first2=P. |last3=Campos |first3=L. A. |last4=Hörnschemeyer |first4=T. |year=2021 |title=Bizarre morphology in extinct Eocene bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) |journal=Royal Society Open Science |volume=8 |issue=12 |pages=Article ID 211466 |doi=10.1098/rsos.211466 |pmid=34909219 |pmc=8652274 |bibcode=2021RSOS....811466W |doi-access=free }}</ref>
|Wedmann ''et al.'', 2021
|A species of shield bug exhibiting prominent spiky protrustions possibly used in defense or camouflage.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Tingidae|Tingidae]]
|''Exmesselensis''
|''Exmesselensis disspinosus''<ref name="Wappler2003"/>
|Wappler, 2003
|A phatnomine canatacaderine lacebug
|
|-
|[[Biology:Tingidae|Tingidae]]
|''Lutetiacader''
|''Lutetiacadeir petrefactus''<ref name="Lutetiacader2006">{{cite journal |last1=Wappler |first1=T. |year=2006 |title=''Lutetiacader'', a puzzling new genus of cantacaderid lace bugs (Heteroptera: Tngidae) from the Middle Eocene Messel Maar, Germany |journal=Palaeontology |volume=49 |issue=2 |pages=435–444 |doi=}}</ref>
|Wappler, 2006
|A cantacaderine canatacaderine lacebug
|
|-
|[[Biology:Aradidae|Aradidae]]
|''[[Biology:Mezira|Mezira]]''
|''Mezira parapetrificata''<ref name=PZMesselflatbugs />

''Mezira petrificata''<ref name=PZMesselflatbugs />
|Wappler, Heiss & Wedmann, 2015
|A species of flat bug.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Tingidae|Tingidae]]
|''Oblongomorpha''
|''Oblongomorpha lutetia''<ref name="Wappler2003"/>
|Wappler, 2003
|A [[Biology:Litadeini|litadeine]] [[Biology:Tinginae|tingine]] lacebug
|
|-
|[[Biology:Dictyopharidae|Dictyopharidae]]
|''Wedelphus''
|''Wedelphus dichopteroides''<ref name="planthoppers2006"/>
|Szwedo & Wappler, 2006
|A [[Biology:Dictyopharidae|dictyopharid]] [[Biology:Planthopper|planthopper]]
|
|-
|}

===Hymenoptera===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Formicidae|Formicidae]]
|''[[Biology:Archimyrmex|Archimyrmex]]''
|''Archimyrmex wedmannae''<ref name="Dlussky2012">{{cite journal |last1=Dlussky |first1=G.M. |year=2012 |title=New Fossil Ants of the Subfamily Myrmeciinae (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from Germany |journal= Paleontological Journal |volume= 46 |issue= 3 |pages=288–292 |doi=10.1134/s0031030111050054|s2cid=83891156 }}</ref>
|Dlussky, 2012
|A [[Biology:Myrmeciinae|myrmeciine]] [[Biology:Ant|ant]] with long mandibles.
|[[File:Archimyrmex wedmannae Smfmei2016 01.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|[[Biology:Formicidae|Formicidae]]
|''[[Biology:Casaleia|Casaleia]]''
|''Casaleia eocenica''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants>{{Cite journal |last1= Dlussky |first1= G.M. |last2= Wedmann |first2= S. | title = The poneromorph ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae: Amblyoponinae, Ectatomminae, Ponerinae) of Grube Messel, Germany: High biodiversity in the Eocene |journal= Journal of Systematic Palaeontology |volume= 10 |issue= 4 |pages= 725–753 |year= 2012 | doi = 10.1080/14772019.2011.628341|s2cid= 83928415 }}{{subscription needed|via=Taylor & Francis}}</ref>
|
|An [[Biology:Amblyoponinae|amblyoponine]] ant.
|[[File:Casaleia eocenica SMFMEI5565.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|[[Biology:Formicidae|Formicidae]]
|''[[Biology:Cephalopone|Cephalopone]]''
|''Cephalopone grandis''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''Cephalopone potens''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />
|
| [[Biology:Poneromorph subfamilies|Poneromorph]] [[Biology:Ant|ant]]s
|[[File:Cephalopone grandis holotype SMFMEI5361.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|[[Biology:Formicidae|Formicidae]]
|''[[Biology:Cyrtopone|Cyrtopone]]''
|''Cyrtopone curiosa''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''Cyrtopone elongata''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''Cyrtopone microcephala''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''Cyrtopone striata''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />
|
|[[Biology:Ponerinae|Ponerinae]] subfamily [[Biology:Ant|ant]]s
|[[File:Cyrtopone striata holotype SMFMEI1392.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|[[Biology:Formicidae|Formicidae]]
|''[[Biology:Gesomyrmex|Gesomyrmex]]''
|''Gesomyrmex pulcher''<ref name="Dlussky2009">{{cite journal |last1=Dlussky |first1=GM |last2=Wappler |first2=T |last3=Wedmann |first3=S |s2cid=56253714 |year=2009 |title=Fossil ants of the genus ''Gesomyrmex'' Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Eocene of Europe and remarks on the evolution of arboreal ant communities |journal=Zootaxa |volume=2031 |pages=1–20|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.2031.1.1 }}</ref>
|
|A [[Biology:Formicinae|formicine subfamily]] ant
|[[File:Gesomyrmex pulcher SMFMEI10999.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|
|''Mesornatus''
|''Mesornatus markovici''<ref name=Mesornatus>{{Cite journal|author1=Tamara Spasojevic |author2=Sonja Wedmann |author3=Seraina Klopfstein |year=2018 |title=Seven remarkable new fossil species of parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from the Eocene Messel Pit |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=13 |issue=6 |pages=e0197477 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0197477 |pmid=29874268 |pmc=5991363 |bibcode=2018PLoSO..1397477S |doi-access=free }}</ref>
|
|
|
|-
|[[Biology:Formicidae|Formicidae]]
|''[[Biology:Messelepone|Messelepone]]''
|''Messelepone leptogenoides''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />
|
|A [[Biology:Poneromorph subfamilies|poneromorph]] [[Biology:Ant|ant]].
|[[File:Messelepone leptogenoides holotype SMFMEI4808.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|[[Biology:Formicidae|Formicidae]]
|''[[Biology:Pachycondyla|Pachycondyla]]''
|''[[Biology:Pachycondyla eocenica|Pachycondyla eocenica]]''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''[[Biology:Pachycondyla lutzi|Pachycondyla lutzi]]''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''[[Biology:Pachycondyla? messeliana|Pachycondyla? messeliana]]''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''[[Biology:Pachycondyla parvula|Pachycondyla parvula]]''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants /><ref name="Dlussky-etal-2015">{{Cite journal|last1=Dlussky |first1=G.M. |last2= Rasnitsyn |first2=A.P. |last3=Perfilieva |first3=K.S. |year=2015 |title=The Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Bol'shaya Svetlovodnaya (Late Eocene of Sikhote-Alin, Russian Far East) |journal=Caucasian Entomological Bulletin |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=131–152 |doi=10.23885/1814-3326-2015-11-1-131-152 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

''[[Biology:Pachycondyla petiolosa|Pachycondyla petiolosa]]''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''[[Biology:Pachycondyla petrosa|Pachycondyla petrosa]]''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />
|
|
|
[[File:Pachycondyla lutzi SMFMEI11958.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|
|''Polyhelictes''
|''Polyhelictes bipolarus''<ref name=Mesornatus/>
|
|
|
|-
|[[Biology:Formicidae|Formicidae]]
|''[[Biology:Protopone|Protopone]]''
|''Protopone? dubia''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''Protopone germanica''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''Protopone magna''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''Protopone oculata''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''Protopone sepulta''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''Protopone vetula''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />
|
|[[Biology:Ponerinae|Ponerine]] subfamily [[Biology:Ant|ant]]s
|[[File:Protopone magna holotype SMFMEI8790.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|[[Biology:Formicidae|Formicidae]]
|''[[Biology:Pseudectatomma|Pseudectatomma]]''
|''Pseudectatomma eocenica''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />

''Pseudectatomma striatula''<ref name=JSPponeromorphants />
|
|[[Biology:Ectatomminae|Ectatommine]] subfamily [[Biology:Ant|ant]]s
|[[File:Pseudectatomma eocenica SMFMEI400.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|
|''[[Biology:Rhyssella|Rhyssella]]''
|''Rhyssella vera''<ref name=Mesornatus />
|
|
|
|-
|
|''[[Biology:Scambus|Scambus]]''
|''Scambus fossilobus''<ref name=Mesornatus />
|
|
|
|-
|[[Biology:Formicidae|Formicidae]]
|''[[Biology:Titanomyrma|Titanomyrma]]''
|''Titanomyrma gigantea''<ref name="Archibald et al (2011)">{{cite journal |last1=Archibald| first1=S. Bruce |last2=Johnson |first2=Kirk R. |last3=Mathewes |first3=Rolf W. |last4=Greenwood |first4=David R. |year=2011 |title=Intercontinental dispersal of giant thermophilic ants across the Arctic during early Eocene hyperthermals |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B |volume=278 |issue=1725 |pages=3679–3686 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2011.0729 |pmid= 21543354|pmc=3203508}}</ref>

''Titanomyrma simillima''<ref name="Archibald et al (2011)"/>
|
|[[Biology:Formiciinae|Formiciine subfamily]] ants
|[[File:Titanomyrma simillima SMFMEI01006 01.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|
|''Trigonator''
|''Trigonator macrocheirus''<ref name=Mesornatus />
|
|
|
|-
|
|''[[Biology:Vespula|Vespula]]''?
|''Vespula? hassiaca''<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Abels |first1=J. |last2=Wedmann |first2=S. |title=A fossil wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: ''Vespula? hassiaca'') from the Eocene of Messel |year=2021 |journal=Palaeontographica Abteilung A |volume=323 |issue=1–3 |pages=105–117 |doi=10.1127/pala/2021/0122 |s2cid=245248645 }}</ref>
|
|
|
|-
|
|''[[Biology:Xanthopimpla|Xanthopimpla]]''
|''Xanthopimpla messelensis''<ref name=Mesornatus />

''Xanthopimpla praeclara''<ref name=Mesornatus />
|
|
|[[File:Xanthopimpla messelensis sp. nov., holotype SF MeI 16988.tiff|frameless|center]]
|-
|
|''Xoanon''?
|''Xoanon? eocenicus''<ref>{{Cite journal|author1=Sonja Wedmann |author2=Jean-Marc Pouillon |author3=André Nel |year=2014 |title=New Palaeogene horntail wasps (Hymenoptera, Siricidae) and a discussion of their fossil record |journal=Zootaxa |volume=3869 |issue=1 |pages=33–43 |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.3869.1.3 |pmid=25283896}}</ref>
|
|
|
|-
|}

===Neuroptera===
{|class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|
[[Biology:Mantispidae|Mantispidae]]
|
†''Symphrasites''
|
†''Symphrasites eocenicus''<ref name="Mantispidae2007">{{cite journal |last1=Wedmann |first1=S. |last2=Makarkin |first2=V. |year=2007 |title=A new genus of Mantispidae (Insecta: Neuroptera) from the Eocene of Germany, with a review of the fossil record and palaeobiogeography of the family |journal=Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society |volume=149 |issue=4 |pages=701–716}}</ref>
|
Wedman & Makarkin, 2007
|
A symphrasine [[Biology:Mantispidae|mantidfly]]<br/> Described from a isolated forewing
|
[[File:Symphrasites eocenicus holotype fig2A.png|frameless|center]]
|-
|}

===Odonata===
{|class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|
†Dysagrionidae
|
†''Petrolestes''
|
†''Petrolestes messelensis''<ref name=Pseudostenolestes>{{Cite journal|author1=Romain Garrouste |author2=André Nel |year=2015 |title=New Eocene damselflies and first Cenozoic damsel-dragonfly of the isophlebiopteran lineage (Insecta: Odonata) |journal=Zootaxa |volume=4028 |issue=3 |pages=354–366 |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.4028.3.2 |pmid=26624314 }}</ref>
|
Garrouste & Nel, 2015
|
A [[Biology:Damselfly|damselfly]]<br/> Related to the North American ''P. hendersoni''.
|
center|frameless
|-
|
†Pseudostenolestidae
|
†''Pseudostenolestes''
|
†''Pseudostenolestes bechlyi''<ref name=Pseudostenolestes/>
|
Garrouste & Nel, 2015
|
A damselfly species.
|
|-
|}

===Phasmatodea===
{|class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|
[[Biology:Phasmatodea|Phasmatodea]]
|
†''[[Biology:Eophyllium|Eophyllium]]''
|
†''Eophyllium messelensis''<ref name=WBR07>{{cite journal |last1=Wedmann |first1=S. |last2=Bradler |first2=S |last3=Rust |first3=J. |date=9 January 2007 |title=The first fossil leaf insect: 47 million years of specialized cryptic morphology and behavior |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=104 |issue=2 |pages=565–9 |doi=10.1073/pnas.0606937104 |pmid=17197423 |pmc=1766425|bibcode=2007PNAS..104..565W |doi-access=free }}
</ref>
|
Wedmann, Bradler & Rust, 2007
|
A [[Biology:Phylliidae|Phylliidae]] leaf insect,<br/> The camouflage adaptions of modern Phylliids were already present in ''E. messelensis''.
|
|}

=="Fish"==
===Amiiformes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Amiidae|Amiidae]]
|''Cyclurus''
|''Cyclurus kehreri''<ref name=MNM12>{{Cite journal|last1=Micklich|first1=N.|last2=Mentges|first2=S.|year=2012|title=Fin ray fractures in messel fishes.|url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Norbert-Micklich/publication/304627599_Fin_Ray_Fractures_in_Messel_Fishes/links/57756b5408aead7ba06ffea9/Fin-Ray-Fractures-in-Messel-Fishes.pdf|journal=Kaupia: Darmstädter Beiträge Zur Naturgeschichte|volume=18|pages=19–27}}</ref>
|(Andreae, 1893)
|An amiine [[Biology:Bowfin|bowfin]] relative known to have performed cannibalism.
|[[File:Cyclurus kehreri 001.jpg|frameless|''Cyclurus kehreri'']]
|-
|}

=== Anguilliformes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Anguillidae|Anguillidae]]
|''[[Biology:Anguilla|Anguilla]]''
|''Anguilla ignota''<ref name=GM07/>
|Micklich, 1985
|The presence of ''Anguilla ignota'' indicates that the lake was likely connected to a larger drainage system connecting to the ocean.
|
|-
|}

===Lepisosteiformes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Lepisosteidae|Lepisosteidae]]
|''[[Biology:Atractosteus|Atractosteus]]''
|''Atractosteus messelensis''<ref name=Grande10>{{Cite journal|last1=Grande|first1=Lance|year=2010|title=An empirical synthetic pattern study of gars (Lepisosteiformes) and closely related species, based mostly on skeletal anatomy. The resurrection of Holostei.|journal=Ichthyology & Herpetology|volume=10}}</ref>

''Atractosteus strausi''<ref name=MK04>{{Cite journal|last1=Micklich|first1=N.|last2=Klappert|first2=G.|year=2004|title=Character variation in some Messel fishes|journal=Mesozoic fishes 3|pages=137–163}}</ref>
|Grande, 2010

(Kinkelin, 1884)
|Two species of gars in the extant genus ''Actractosteus''.
|[[File:Atractosteus strausi - Huston Museum Nat Sci - DSC01960.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Lepisosteidae|Lepisosteidae]]
|''[[Biology:Masillosteus|Masillosteus]]''
|''Masillosteus kelleri''<ref name=MK01>{{Cite journal|last1=Micklich|first1=N.|last2=Klappert|first2=G.|year=2001|title=Masillosteus kelleri, a new gar (Actinopterygii, Lepisosteidae) from the middle Eocene of Grube Messel (Hessen, Germany).|url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Norbert-Micklich/publication/285643019_Masillosteus_kelleri_a_new_gar_Actinopterygii_Lepisosteidae_from_the_Middle_Eocene_of_Grube_Messel_Hessen_Germany/links/5731db1e08ae9ace840470e6/Masillosteus-kelleri-a-new-gar-Actinopterygii-Lepisosteidae-from-the-Middle-Eocene-of-Grube-Messel-Hessen-Germany.pdf|journal=Kaupia|volume=11|pages=73–81}}</ref>
|Micklich & Klappert, 2001
|A rarer, blunt snouted species of gar that likely fed on small invertebrates. It may not have been a permanent resident of the Messel lake.<ref name=GM07/>
|
|-
|}

===Perciformes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|Percichthydae<ref name=MSMS>{{Cite journal|last1=Morlo|first1=M.|last2=Schaal|first2=S.|last3=Mayr|first3=G.|last4=Seiffert|first4=C.|year=2004|title=An annotated taxonomic list of the Middle Eocene (MP 11) Vertebrata of Messel|url=https://www.senckenberg.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/morlo_et_al.pdf|journal=Courier Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg|pages=95–108}}</ref>
|''[[Biology:Amphiperca|Amphiperca]]''
|''Amphiperca multiformis''<ref name=W33>{{Cite journal|last1=Weitzel|first1=K.|year=1933|title=Amphiperca multiformis ngn sp. und Thaumaturus intermedius n. sp., Knochenfische aus dem Mitteleozän von Messel.|journal=Notizblatt des Hessischen Vereins für Erdkunde und der Hessischen Geologischen Landesanstalt zu Darmstadt|volume=5|issue=14|pages=89–97}}</ref>
|Weitzel, 1933
|''Amphiperca'' likely was a thrust or ambush hunter catching prey from near-shore hiding spots.
|[[File:Amphiperca multiformis 01.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Moronidae|Moronidae]]
|''[[Biology:Palaeoperca|Palaeoperca]]''
|''Palaeoperca proxima''<ref name=M78>{{Cite journal|last1=Micklich|first1=N.|year=1978|title=Palaeoperca proxima, ein neuer Knochenfisch aus dem Mittel-Eozän von Messel bei Darmstadt}}</ref>
|Micklich, 1978
|''Palaeoperca'' may have been open water fish.
|[[File:Palaeoperca proxima.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|''incertae sedis''
|''[[Biology:Rhenanoperca|Rhenanoperca]]''
|''Rhenanoperca minuta''<ref name="Rhenanoperca1990">{{cite journal |last1=Gaudant |first1=J. |last2=Micklich |first2=N. |title=''Rhenanoperca minuta'' nov. gen., nov. sp., ein neuer Percoide (Pisces, Perciformes) aus der Messel-Formation (Mittel-Eozän, Unteres Geiseltalium). |journal=Paläontologische Zeitschrift |date=1990 |volume=64 |issue=3 |pages=269–286|doi=10.1007/BF02985719}}</ref>
|Gaudant & Micklich, 1990
|An small [[Biology:Perciformes|perciform]] with teeth suited for a durophagous diet. Fossils show they at least occasionally fed on smaller members of their species.<ref name=GM07/>
|
|}

===Thaumaturidae===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|Thaumaturidae
|''[[Biology:Thaumaturus|Thaumaturus]]''
|''Thaumaturus intermedius''<ref name=MA20>{{Cite journal|last1=Micklich|first1=N.|last2=Arratia|first2=G.|year=2020|title=The enigmatic teleostean fish, Thaumaturus intermedius Weitzel, 1933 from the Eocene of Lake Messel (Hessen, S Germany). Part I: Anatomy and taxonomy revised.|journal=Palaeontographica Abteilung A}}</ref>
|Weitzel, 1933<ref name=W33/>
|''Thaumaturus'' is only known from juvenile specimens, ranging in length from {{convert|3-6|cm|abbr=on}}.<ref name=GM07/> It's relationship with other groups of fish remains unknown.
|[[File:Thaumaturus intermedius.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|}

==Amphibians==
===Caudata===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Salamandridae|Salamandridae]]
|''[[Biology:Chelotriton|Chelotriton]]''
|''Chelotriton robustus''<ref name=Westphal80>{{Cite journal|last1=Westphal|first1=F.|year=1980|title=CHELOTRITON ROBUSTUS N. SP., EIN SALAMANCRIDE AUS DEM EOZAEN DER GRUBE MESSEL BEI DARMSTADT}}</ref>

''Chelotriton sp.''<ref name=Messelbookamphibian>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=K.T.|last2=Schaal|first2=S.F.K.|last3=Habersetzer|first3=J.|year=2018|title=Messel-An Ancient Greenhouse Ecosystem |chapter=9 Amphibians in Messel - in the Water and on Land |publisher=Senckenberg |pages=123–147}}</ref>
|Westphal, 1980

Undescribed
|A salamander, possibly related to modern [[Biology:Pleurodeles|ribbed newts]] and [[Biology:Tylototriton|crocodile newts]].
|
|-
|}

===Anura===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Pelobatidae|Pelobatidae]]
|''[[Biology:Eopelobates|Eopelobates]]''
|''Eopelobates wagneri''<ref name=R14>{{Cite journal|last1=Roček|first1=Z.|last2=Wuttke|first2=M.|last3=Gardner|first3=J. D.|last4=Singh Bhullar|first4=B.-A.|year=2014|title=The Euro-American genus Eopelobates, and a re-definition of the family Pelobatidae (Amphibia, Anura). Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments|volume=94|issue=4|pages=529–567|doi=10.1007/s12549-014-0169-5}}</ref>
|Weitzel, 1938
|A relative to the modern spadefoot toad, it was likely a primarily terrestrial animal that entered the lake to spawn, as shown by preserved eggs.
|[[File:Eopelobates wagneri 2.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|Incertae sedis
|''Lutetiobatrachus''
|''Lutetiobatrachus gracilis''<ref name=W12>{{Cite journal|last1=Wuttke|first1=M.|year=2012|title=Redescription of the Middle Eocene frog Lutetiobatrachus gracilis WUTTKE in SANCHIZ, 1998 (Lower Geiseltalian, »GrubeMessel«, near Darmstadt, southern Hesse, Germany)|url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michael-Wuttke-2/publication/256209971_Redescription_of_the_Middle_Eocene_frog_Lutetiobatrachus_gracilis_WUTTKE_in_SANCHIZ_1998_Lower_Geiseltalian_Grube_Messel_near_Darmstadt_southern_Hesse_Germany/links/0c960522061f6298a5000000/Redescription-of-the-Middle-Eocene-frog-Lutetiobatrachus-gracilis-WUTTKE-in-SANCHIZ-1998-Lower-Geiseltalian-Grube-Messel-near-Darmstadt-southern-Hesse-Germany.pdf|journal=Kaupia|volume=18|pages=29–41}}</ref>
|Wuttke, 1998
|Eventhough the name was coined in 1988, it was long deemed a nomen nudum until its redescription in 2012.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Palaeobatrachidae|Palaeobatrachidae]]
|''"Messelobatrachus"''
|''"Messelobatrachus tobieni"''<ref name=W96>{{Cite book |last=Wuttke |first=M. |year=1996 |title=Die eozänen Frösche von Messel |url=https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/13558508/stapfia_0047_0227-0232-with-cover-page-v2.pdf?Expires=1655679050&Signature=XiR5UJspBEVqvVrc4tt9a2rJWrFAPVMR1NoxpTtkEtE6Rn51QdZgGzgF-kG88tM4iTZc4Mz5MaYQ-Pt71LJuDY2yLKn50gY6Vtt98gawQCMYs12OV6vozTDRTeQVc6m04hhU~NFmmp2xal0jlOER8e6nFN5JkjwoS7obsSDrgPzRKitsiK~-ic~sxpF385sGVeym~zGQ8VAbqwZZwFDllayuUmn4LTyY5Tld8kdKKzwrELFHi1fg4Br0plpnM39Q2grYQER7rhO-paXqXyOkndPdPyqpLqFkduq2GSIsXAnh48HVjNkEfPRMHU1uh3ew-z10-IR-w1he1jL8MoFngw__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA}}</ref>
|[[Biology:Nomen nudum|Nomen nudum]]
|Although referred to as ''Messelobatrachus'' in literature, the name is a [[Biology:Nomen nudum|nomen nudum]]. One of the fossils preserves what is thought to be the tadpole of ''"Messelobatrachus"''.
|[[File:Messelobatrachus tobieni 2.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|}

==Reptiles==
===Crocodyliformes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Tomistominae|Tomistominae]]
|Tomistominae indet.
|Tomistominae indet.<ref name=R>{{Cite journal |last1=Rossmann|first1=T.|year=2002|title=Studies on Cenozoic Crocodiles: 10. First Evidence of a Tomistomid Crocodilian (Eusuchia: Tomistomidae) from the Middle Eocene (Geiseltalien, MP11) of Grube Messel, Germany|journal=Neues Jahrb. Geol. Paläontol. Mh.|volume=3|pages=129–146}}</ref>
|
|
|
|-
|[[Biology:Crocodyloidea|Crocodyloidea]]
|''"[[Biology:Asiatosuchus|Asiatosuchus]]"''
|''"Asiatosuchus" germanicus''<ref name=DS09>{{Cite journal | last1 = Delfino | first1 = M. | last2 = Smith | first2 = T. | doi = 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2008.00478.x | title = A reassessment of the morphology and taxonomic status of 'Crocodylus'depressifronsBlainville, 1855 (Crocodylia, Crocodyloidea) based on the Early Eocene remains from Belgium | journal = Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society | volume = 156 | pages = 140–167 | year = 2009 | doi-access = free }}</ref>
|Berg, 1966
|A large and well known species of the paraphyletic genus ''Asiatosuchus''.
|[[File:Asiatosuchus germanicus - skull.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|Bergisuchidae
|''[[Biology:Bergisuchus|Bergisuchus]]''
|''Bergisuchus dietrichbergi''<ref name=RRO00>{{cite journal |last=Rossmann |first=T. |author2=Rauhe, M. |author3= Ortega, F.  |year=2000 |title=Studies on Cenozoic crocodiles: 8. ''Bergisuchus dietrichbergi'' Kuhn (Sebecosuchia: Bergisuchidae n. fam.) from the Middle Eocene of Germany, some new systematic and biological conclusions |journal=Paläontologische Zeitschrift |volume=74 |issue=3 |pages=379–392 |doi=10.1007/BF02988108|s2cid=129507618 }}</ref>
|Kuhn, 1968
|Member of the terrestrial Sebecosuchians with ziphodont teeth.
|[[File:Bergisuchus dietrichbergi - mandibula fragment.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Planocraniidae|Planocraniidae]]
|''[[Biology:Boverisuchus|Boverisuchus]]''
|''Boverisuchus magnifrons''<ref name=B13>{{Cite journal | last1 = Brochu | first1 = C. A. | title = Phylogenetic relationships of Palaeogene ziphodont eusuchians and the status of ''Pristichampsus'' Gervais, 1853 | doi = 10.1017/S1755691013000200 | journal = Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh | pages = 521–550 | year = 2013 | volume = 103 | issue = 3–4 | s2cid = 128920027 }}</ref>
|Kuhn, 1938
|A terrestrial Crocodilian previously assigned to the now dubious ''[[Biology:Pristichampsus|Pristichampsus]]''
|[[File:Boverisuchus magnifrons.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Alligatoroidea|Alligatoroidea]]
|''[[Biology:Diplocynodon|Diplocynodon]]''
|''Diplocynodon darwini''

''Diplocynodon deponaie''<ref name=DS12>{{Cite journal|last1=Delfino|first1=M.|last2=Smith|first2=T.|year=2012|title=Reappraisal of the morphology and phylogenetic relationships of the middle Eocene alligatoroid Diplocynodon deponiae (Frey, Laemmert, and Riess, 1987) based on a three-dimensional specimen|journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology|volume=32|issue=6|pages=1358–1369|doi=10.1080/02724634.2012.699484}}</ref>
|(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''.
|[[File:2011-07-09 gasometer 37.JPG|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Alligatoridae|Alligatoridae]]
|''[[Biology:Hassiacosuchus|Hassiacosuchus]]''
|''Hassiacosuchus haupti'' <ref name=W35>{{Cite journal|last1=Weitzel|first1=K.|year=1935|title=Hassiacosuchus haupti n. g n. s. ein durophages Krokodil aus dem Mitteleozän von Messel|journal=Notizblatt des Vereins für Erdkunde und der hessischen geologischen Landesanstalt zu Darmstadt|volume=16|pages=40–49}}</ref>
|Weitzel, 1935
|A small species of alligatorid, some consider it a species of ''[[Biology:Allognathosuchus|Allognathosuchus]]''. Christopher Brochu argues for the continued use of ''Hassiacosuchus'' however.<ref name=CAB04>{{cite journal |last=Brochu |first=Christopher A. |year=2004 |title=Alligatorine phylogeny and the status of ''Allognathosuchus'' Mook, 1921 |journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology |volume=24 |issue=4 |pages=857–873 |doi=10.1671/0272-4634(2004)024[0857:APATSO]2.0.CO;2 |issn=0272-4634}}</ref>
|[[File:Hassiacosuchus haupti.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Squamata===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Clade
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Lacertidae|Lacertidae]] relative
|Undescribed
|Undescribed <ref name=Messelbook>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=K.T.|last2=Čerňanský|first2=A.|last3=Scanferla|first3=A.|year=2018|title=Messel-An Ancient Greenhouse Ecosystem |chapter=10.1 Lizards and snakes-Warmth-loving sunbathers|publisher=Senckenberg |pages=123–147}}</ref>
|
|An undescribed arboreal lizard relative.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Gekkota|Gekkota]]
|Undescribed
|Undescribed <ref name=Messelbook/>
|
|A partly disarticulated skeleton of a [[Biology:Gekko|gekko]]
|
|-
|Pan-Shinisaurus
|Pan Shinisaurus indet.
|Pan Shinisaurus indet.<ref name=Sm17>{{Cite journal|last1=Smith|first1=K. T.|year=2017|title=First crocodile-tailed lizard (Squamata: Pan-Shinisaurus) from the Paleogene of Europe|journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology|volume=37|issue=3|doi=10.1080/02724634.2017.1313743}}</ref>
|
|The shed tail of a [[Biology:Shinisauridae|crocodile lizard]], showing adaptation for swimming.
|
|-
|Polychrotidae
|Undescribed
|Undescribed <ref name=Messelbook/>
|
|A possible relative of the modern bush anole.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Scincidae|Scincidae]]
|Scincidae indet.
|Scincidae indet.<ref name=GM07/>
|
|
|
|-
|Lacertibaenia
|''[[Biology:Cryptolacerta|Cryptolacerta]]''
|''Crytolacerta hassiaca''<ref name=MHH11>{{cite journal |last=Müller |first=Johannes |author2=Christy A. Hipsley |author3=Jason J. Head |author4=Nikolay Kardjilov |author5=André Hilger |author6=Michael Wuttke |author7=Robert R. Reisz |year=2011 |title=Eocene lizard from Germany reveals amphisbaenian origins |journal=Nature |volume=473 |issue= 7347|pages=364–367 |doi=10.1038/nature09919 |pmid=21593869|bibcode=2011Natur.473..364M |s2cid=205224382 }}</ref>
|Müller ''et al.'', 2011
|Phylogenetic analysis indicates that it may be a close relative of the limbless [[Biology:Amphisbaenia|Amphisbaenia]]. Only two specimens are known, one of which was found in the stomach of the varanoid ''[[Biology:Paranecrosaurus|Paranecrosaurus]]''
|
|-
|[[Biology:Boidae|Boidae]]
|''[[Biology:Eoconstrictor|Eoconstrictor]]''
|''Eoconstrictor fischeri''<ref name=SS20>{{cite journal |last1=Scanferla |first1=A. |last2=Smith |first2=K.T. |title=Exquisitely Preserved Fossil Snakes of Messel: Insight into the Evolution, Biogeography, Habitat Preferences and Sensory Ecology of Early Boas |journal=Diversity |year=2020 |volume=12 |issue=3 |page=100 |doi=10.3390/d12030100|doi-access=free }}</ref>
|(Schaal, 2004)
|An early species of boa previously known as ''Palaeopython fischeri''.
|[[File:Palaeopython fischeri - Naturmuseum Senckenberg - DSC02249.JPG|frameless|upright|center]]
|-
|[[Biology:Eolacertidae|Eolacertidae]]
|''Eolacerta''
|''Eolacerta robusta''<ref name=M01>{{Cite journal |last1=Müller|first1=J.|year=2001|title=Osteology and relationships of Eolacerta robusta, a lizard from the Middle Eocene of Germany (Reptilia, Squamata)|journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology|volume=21|issue=2|pages=261–278|doi=10.1671/0272-4634(2001)021[0261:oaroer]2.0.co;2 
}}</ref>
|Nöth, 1940
|A large species of lizard, reaching a length of {{convert|30|cm|abbr=on}} and a weight of {{convert|1|kg|abbr=on}}.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Helodermatidae|Helodermatidae]]
|''[[Biology:Eurheloderma|Eurheloderma]]''
|''Eurheloderma sp.''<ref name=C16b>{{Cite journal|last1=Cadena|first1=E.|year=2016|title=Microscopical and elemental FESEM and Phenom ProX-SEM-EDS analysis of osteocyte- and blood vessel-like microstructures obtained from fossil vertebrates of the Eocene Messel Pit, Germany|journal=PeerJ|volume=4|doi=10.7717/peerj.1618}}</ref>
|
|A relative of the extant [[Biology:Gila monster|gila monster]], it was likely already venomous.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Corytophanidae|Corytophanidae]]
|''[[Biology:Geiseltaliellus|Geiseltaliellus]]''
|''Geiseltaliellus maarius''<ref name=S09>{{cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=K.T.|year=2009|title=Eocene Lizards of the Clade Geiseltaliellus from Messel and Geiseltal, Germany, and the Early Radiation of Iguanidae (Reptilia: Squamata)|journal=Bulletin of the Peabody Museum of Natural History|volume=50|issue=2|doi=10.3374/014.050.0201}}</ref>
|Smith, 2009
|An extinct, possibly arboreal, relative of the modern basilisk lizard.
|[[File:Geiseltaliellus-Geiseltal.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Boidae|Boidae]]
|''Messelophis''
|''Messelophis variatus''<ref name=SSS16>{{Cite journal|author1=Agustín Scanferla |author2=Krister T. Smith |author3=Stephan F. K. Schaal |year=2016 |title=Revision of the cranial anatomy and phylogenetic relationships of the Eocene minute boas ''Messelophis variatus'' and ''Messelophis ermannorum'' (Serpentes, Booidea) |journal=Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society |volume=176 |issue=1 |pages=182–206 |doi=10.1111/zoj.12300}}</ref>
|Baszio, 2004
|A minute boa
|
|-
|Messelopythonidae
|''Messelopython''
|''Messelopython freyi''<ref name=ZS20>{{Cite journal|last1=Zaher|first1=H.|last2=Smith|first2=K. T.|year=2020|title=Pythons in the Eocene of Europe reveal a much older divergence of the group in sympatry with boas|url=https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0735|journal=Biol. Lett.|volume=16|doi=10.1098/rsbl.2020.0735}}</ref>
|Zaher & Smith, 2020
|A medium sized pythonoid.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Anguidae|Anguidae]]
|''Ophisauriscus''
|''Ophisauriscus quadrupes''<ref name=SH99>{{Cite journal |last1=Sullivan|first1=R.M.|last2=Habersetzer|first2=J.|year=1999|title=Middle Eocene (Geiseltalian) anguid lizards from Geiseltal and Messel, Germany. 1. Ophisauriscus quadrupes Kuhn 1940. Systematics and taphonomy|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285598065_Middle_Eocene_Geiseltalian_anguid_lizards_from_Geiseltal_and_Messel_Germany_1_Ophisauriscus_quadrupes_Kuhn_1940_Systematics_and_taphonomy|journal=CFS Courier Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg|volume=216|pages=97–129}}</ref>
|Kuhn, 1940
|A serpentine reptile with vestigial limbs. It shows evidence of different osteoderm morphology after tail regeneration.
|
|-
|Scincoidea
|''Ornatocephalus''
|''Ornatocephalus metzleri''<ref name=W04>{{Cite journal |last1=Weber|first1=S.|year=2004|title=Ornatocephalus metzleri gen. et spec. nov. (Lacertilia, Scincoida) - Taxonomy and Paleobiology of a basal Scincoid Lizard from the Messel Formation (Middle Eocene: basal Lutetian, Geiseltalium), Germany|url=https://www.schweizerbart.de/publications/detail/isbn/9783510613731/iOrnatocephalus_metzleri_i_gen_et_spec_nov__Lacertilia_Scincoida_Taxonomy_and_Paleobiology_of_a_basal_Scincoid_Lizard_from_the_Messel_Formation_Middle_Eocene_basal_Lutetian_Geiseltalium_Ge|journal=Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft|volume=561|ISBN=978-3-510-61373-1}}</ref>
|Weber, 2004
|An arboreal lizard with long claws and a prehensile tail, it was found with plants remains in its guts.
|
|-
|Messelopythonidae
|''[[Biology:Palaeopython|Palaeopython]]''
|''Palaeopython schaali''<ref name=SS21b>{{Cite journal|last1=Smith |first1=K. T. |last2=Scanferla |first2=A. |title=More than one large constrictor snake lurked around paleolake Messel |year=2021 |journal=Palaeontographica Abteilung A |volume=in press |doi=10.1127/pala/2021/0119 |s2cid=245089117 }}</ref>
|Smith & Scanferla, 2022
|A pythonoid snake of similar size to ''Eoconstrictor''. Several traits of the skull suggest it may have been arboreal.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Palaeovaranidae|Palaeovaranidae]]
|''Palaeovaranus''
|''Palaeovaranus sp.''<ref name=Messelbook/>
|
|Identified as ''Necrosaurus'' by Smith, Čerňanský and Scanferla, it is smaller than ''[[Biology:Paranecrosaurus|Paranecrosaurus]]''.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Palaeovaranidae|Palaeovaranidae]]
|''[[Biology:Paranecrosaurus|Paranecrosaurus]]''
|''Paranecrosaurus feisti''<ref name=SH21>{{Cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=K. T. |last2=Habersetzer |first2=J. |title=The anatomy, phylogenetic relationships, and autecology of the carnivorous lizard ''"Saniwa" feisti'' Stritzke, 1983 from the Eocene of Messel, Germany |year=2021 |journal=Comptes Rendus Palevol |volume=20 |issue=23 |pages=441–506 |doi=10.5852/cr-palevol2021v20a23 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
|(Stritzke, 1983)
|First described as ''"[[Biology:Saniwa|Saniwa]]" feisti'', it was found with the skull of ''[[Biology:Cryptolacerta|Cryptolacerta]]'' in its guts. This indicates that this varanoid was at least partly carnivorous.
|[[File:Paranecrosaurus feisti - Milan img1.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Glyptosaurinae|Glyptosaurinae]]
|''Placosauriops''
|"''Placosauriops abderhaldeni''"<ref name=Sullivan19>{{Cite journal |last1=Sullivan |first1=R.M.|year=2019|title=The taxonomy, chronostratigraphy and paleobiogeography of glyptosaurine lizards (Glyptosaurinae, Anguidae)|journal=Comptes Rendus Palevol|volume=18|issue=7|pages=747–763|doi=10.1016/j.crpv.2019.05.006}}</ref>
|Kuhn, 1940
|A type of melanosaurinin Glyptosaurine of dubious assignment, as the type material has not been adequately diagnosed.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Erycinae|Erycinae]]
|''Rageryx''
|''Rageryx schmidi''<ref name=SS21>{{Cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=K. T. |last2=Scanferla |first2=A.|year=2021|title=A nearly complete skeleton of the oldest definitive erycine boid (Messel, Germany)|journal=Geodiversitas|volume=43 |issue=1 |pages=1–24 |doi=10.5252/geodiversitas2021v43a1}}</ref>
|Smith & Scanferla, 2021
|A non-burrowing sandboa that reached a length of {{convert|52|cm|abbr=on}}.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Boidae|Boidae]]
|''Rieppelophis''
|''Rieppelophis ermannorum''<ref name=SSS16/>
|(Schaal & Baszio, 2004)
|A minute boa previously regarded as a species of ''Messelophis''.
|frameless|center
|-
|[[Biology:Eolacertidae|Eolacertidae]]
|''Stefanikia''
|''Stefanikia siderea''<ref name=C17>{{Cite journal |last1=Čerňanský|first1=A.|last2=Smith|first2=K. T.|year=2017|title=Eolacertidae: a new extinct clade of lizards from the Palaeogene; with comments on the origin of the dominant European reptile group – Lacertidae|journal=Historical Biology|volume=30|issue=7|pages=994–1014|doi=10.1080/08912963.2017.1327530}}</ref>
|Čerňanský & Smith, 2017
|A close relative of ''Eolacerta'', the two genera were recovered as a sister-group to modern [[Biology:Lacertidae|lizards]].
|
|-
|}

===Testudinata===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Carettochelyidae|Carettochelyidae]]
|''[[Biology:Allaeochelys|Allaeochelys]]''
|''Allaeochelys crassesculptata''<ref name=JMSS12>{{Cite journal|last1=Joyce|first1=W.G.|last2=Micklich|first2=N.|last3=Schaal|first3=S.F.K.|last4=Scheyer|first4=T.M.| year=2012 |title=Caught in the act: the first record of copulating fossil vertebrates|journal=Biol|volume=8|pages=846–848|doi=10.1098/rsbl.2012.0361}}</ref>
|(Harrassowitz, 1922)
|A relative of the modern [[Biology:Pig-nosed turtle|pig-nosed turtle]], one fossil preserves two specimens while mating.
|[[File:Allaeochelys crassesculptata - Naturmuseum Freiburg - DSC06737.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Geoemydidae|Geoemydidae]]
|''Euroemys''
|''Euroemys kehreri''<ref name=H04>{{Cite journal|last1=Hervet|first1=S.|year=2004|title=Systématique du groupe "Palaeochelys sensu lato – Mauremys" (Chelonii, Testudinoidea) du Tertiaire d’Europe occidentale: principaux résultats|journal=Annales de Paléontologie|volume=90|issue=1|pages=13–78|ISSN=0753-3969|doi=10.1016/j.annpal.2003.12.002}}</ref>
|Staesche, 1928
|A species of [[Biology:Geoemydidae|pond turtles]] of uncertain relationship, it was previously thought to be a species of ''Ocadia'' and ''Palaeoemys''.<ref name=ACJ21>{{Cite journal|last1=Ascarrunz|first1=E.|last2=Claude|first2=J.|last3=Joyce|first3=WG.|year=2021|title=The phylogenetic relationships of geoemydid turtles from the Eocene Messel Pit Quarry: a first assessment using methods for continuous and discrete characters|journal=PeerJ|volume=9|doi=10.7717/peerj.11805}}</ref>
|[[File:Euroemys kehreri 01.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Geoemydidae|Geoemydidae]]
|''Francellia''
|''Francellia messeliana''<ref name=H04/>
|Staesche, 1928
|A species of [[Biology:Geoemydidae|pond turtles]] of uncertain relationship, it was previously thought to be a species of ''Ocadia'' and ''Palaeoemys''.<ref name=ACJ21/>
|
|-
|[[Biology:Geoemydidae|Geoemydidae]]
|''Juvemys''
|''Juvemys sp.''<ref name=GM07>{{cite book |last1=Gruber |first1=G.|last2=Micklich|first2=N. |year=2007|title=Messel: Treasures of the Eocene |publisher=Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt |isbn=978-3-534-20456-4}}</ref>
|Hervet, 2003
|A species of [[Biology:Geoemydidae|pond turtles]].
|
|-
|[[Biology:Podocnemididae|Podocnemididae]]
|''Neochelys''
|''Neochelys franzeni''<ref name=C15>{{Cite journal|last1=Cadena|first1=E.|year=2015|title=A global phylogeny of Pelomedusoides turtles with new material of Neochelys franzeni Schleich, 1993 (Testudines, Podocnemididae) from the middle Eocene, Messel Pit, of Germany|journal=PeerJ|volume=3|doi=10.7717/peerj.1221}}</ref>
|Schleich, 1993 <ref name=S93>{{Cite journal|last1=Schleich|first1=H. H.|year=1993|title=New reptile material from the German Tertiary. 11. Neochelys franzeni n. sp., the first pleurodiran turtle from Messel.|journal=Kaupia|volume=3|pages=15–21}}</ref>
|A [[Biology:Podocnemididae|podocnemidid]] side-necked turtle
|[[File:Neochelys franzeni 2.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Trionychidae|Trionychidae]]
|''[[Biology:Palaeoamyda|Palaeoamyda]]''
|''Palaeoamyda messeliana'' <ref name=C16>{{Cite journal|last1=Cadena|first1=E.|year=2016|title=Palaeoamyda messeliana nov. comb. (Testudines, Pan-Trionychidae) from the Eocene Messel Pit and Geiseltal localities, Germany, taxonomic and phylogenetic insights|journal=PeerJ|volume=4|doi=10.7717/peerj.2647}}</ref>
|(Reinach, 1900)
|A species of softshell turtle
|[[File:Trionyx sp 354.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|}

==Birds==
===Anseriformes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Gastornithidae|Gastornithidae]]
|''[[Biology:Gastornis|Gastornis]]''
|''Gastornis geiselensis''<ref name=Hellmund2013>{{cite journal | author = Hellmund M | year = 2013 | title = Reappraisal of the bone inventory of ''Gastornis geiselensis'' (Fischer, 1978) from the Eocene Geiseltal Fossillagerstatte (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany) | journal = Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen | volume = 269 | issue = 2| pages = 203–220 | doi=10.1127/0077-7749/2013/0345}}</ref>
|Fischer, 1978
|A large, herbivorous [[Biology:Anseriformes|anseriform]].<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Angst D. |author2=Lécuyer C. |author3=Amiot R. |author4=Buffetaut E. |author5=Fourel F. |author6=Martineau F. |author7=Legendre S. |author8=Abourachid A. |author9=Herrel A. | year = 2014 | title = Isotopic and anatomical evidence of an herbivorous diet in the Early Tertiary giant bird Gastornis. Implications for the structure of Paleocene terrestrial ecosystems | journal = Naturwissenschaften | volume =  101|issue=4 | pages =  313–322| doi = 10.1007/s00114-014-1158-2 | pmid=24563098|bibcode=2014NW....101..313A |s2cid=18518649 }}</ref>
|[[File:Gastornis geiselensis.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Cariamiformes (?)===
Several groups of Messel birds share characteristics with the modern seriemas, which has lead to them being placed within the clade Cariamae in the past. However, this placement typically occured under the assumption that they are a group within [[Biology:Gruiformes|gruiformes]], which has been disputed by more recent analysis. Instead more recent publications consider Cariamae (or Cariamiformes) as basal members of [[Biology:Australaves|Australaves]].<ref name = "Jarvis2014">{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1126/science.1253451| pmid = 25504713| url = https://pgl.soe.ucsc.edu/jarvis14.pdf| title = Whole-genome analyses resolve early branches in the tree of life of modern birds| journal = Science| volume = 346| issue = 6215| pages = 1320–1331| date = 2014| last1 = Jarvis| first1 = E. D.|  last2 = Mirarab| first2 = S.| last3 = Aberer| first3 = A. J.| last4 = Li| first4 = B.| last5 = Houde| first5 = P.| last6 = Li| first6 = C.| last7 = Ho| first7 = S. Y. W.| last8 = Faircloth| first8 = B. C.| last9 = Nabholz| first9 = B.| last10 = Howard| first10 = J. T.| last11 = Suh| first11 = A.| last12 = Weber| first12 = C. C.| last13 = Da Fonseca| first13 = R. R.| last14 = Li| first14 = J.| last15 = Zhang| first15 = F.| last16 = Li| first16 = H.| last17 = Zhou| first17 = L.| last18 = Narula| first18 = N.| last19 = Liu| first19 = L.| last20 = Ganapathy| first20 = G.| last21 = Boussau| first21 = B.| last22 = Bayzid| first22 = M. S.| last23 = Zavidovych| first23 = V.| last24 = Subramanian| first24 = S.| last25 = Gabaldon| first25 = T.| last26 = Capella-Gutierrez| first26 = S.| last27 = Huerta-Cepas| first27 = J.| last28 = Rekepalli| first28 = B.| last29 = Munch| first29 = K.| last30 = Schierup| first30 = M.| display-authors = 29| pmc = 4405904| bibcode = 2014Sci...346.1320J| hdl = 10072/67425| access-date = 2015-08-29| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150224020622/http://pgl.soe.ucsc.edu/jarvis14.pdf| archive-date = 2015-02-24| url-status = dead}}</ref> 
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|Idiornithidae
|''[[Biology:Dynamopterus|Dynamopterus]]''
|''Dynamopterus'' cf. ''itardiensis''<ref name=M2000>{{cite journal | last=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2000|title= New or previously unrecorded avian taxa from the Middle Eocene of Messel (Hessen, Germany)|journal=Foss. Rec.|volume=3|pages=207–219|doi=10.1002/mmng.20000030110}}</ref>

''Dynamopterus tuberculata''<ref name=CMM13>{{cite journal | last=Mourer-Chauviré |first= Cécile |year=2013 |title=''Idiornis'' Oberholser, 1899 (Aves, Gruiformes, Cariamae, Idiornithidae): a junior synonym of ''Dynamopterus'' Milne-Edwards, 1892 (Paleogene, Phosphorites du Quercy, France) | url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279151190| journal= Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen | volume=270|issue=1 |pages= 13–22 |doi= 10.1127/0077-7749/2013/0355 }}</ref>
|(Mourer-Chauviré, 1983)

(Peters, 1995)
|Previously known as ''Idiornis'', it was later found to be synonymous with ''Dynamopterus''. 
|[[File:Idiornis tuberculata.jpg|frameless|''Idiornis tuberculata'']]
|-
|Salmilidae
|''Salmila''
|''Salmila robusta''<ref name=MG02>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2002|title=A new specimen ofSalmila robusta (Aves: Gruiformes: Salmilidae n. fam.) from the Middle Eocene of Messel|journal=Paläontologische Zeitschrift|volume=76|issue=2|pages=305–316|doi=10.1007/BF02989866}}</ref>
|Mayr, 2000
|''Salmila'' was originally described as a part of Cariamae within [[Biology:Gruiformes|Gruiformes]], but later analysis suggested that it was a sister taxon to the group instead. It shares characteristics with both seriemas and [[Biology:Psophiidae|trumpeter birds]].
|[[File:Salmila robusta 1.jpg|frameless|Salmila robusta]]
|-
|Ameghinornithidae
|''[[Biology:Strigogyps|Strigogyps]]''
|''Strigogyps sapea''<ref name=MR11>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|last2=Richter|first2=G.|year=2011|title=Exceptionally preserved plant parenchyma in the digestive tract indicates a herbivorous diet in the Middle Eocene bird Strigogyps sapea (Ameghinornithidae)|journal=Paläontologische Zeitschrift|volume=85|pages=303–307|doi=10.1007/s12542-010-0094-5}}</ref>
|(Peters, 1987)
|Previously known as ''Aenigmavis'', stomach contents indicate it was a herbivore. The phylogenetic position of ''Strigogyps'' is uncertain.
|[[File:Aenigmavis sapea.jpg|frameless|''Strigogyps sapea'']]
|-
|}

===Charadriiformes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Jacanidae|Jacanidae]]?
|''Vanolimicola''
|''Vanolimicola longihallucis''<ref name=MG17>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2017|title=A small, "wader-like" bird from the Early Eocene of Messel (Germany)|journal=Annales de Paléontologie|volume=103|issue=2|pages=141–147|doi=10.1016/j.annpal.2017.01.001}}</ref>

|Mayr, 2017
|A small wading bird with elongated hallux. It is thought to either be a jacanid or a rail-relative of the family Songziidae, which would make it a Gruiform.
|
|-
|}

===Coraciimorphae===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Sandcoleidae|Sandcoleidae]]
|''Chascacocolius''
|''Chascacocolius cacicirostris''<ref name=MG05M>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2005|title=A new eocene Chascacocolius-like mousebird (Aves: Coliiformes) with a remarkable gaping adaptation|journal=Organisms Diversity & Evolution|volume=5|pages= 167–171|doi=10.1016/j.ode.2004.10.013}}</ref>
|Mayr, 2005
|A coliiform bird with a conical beak.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Eocoraciidae|Eocoraciidae]]
|''[[Biology:Eocoracias|Eocoracias]]''
|''Eocoracias brachyptera''<ref name=MG00>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|last2=Mourer-Chauviré|first2=C.|year=2000|title=Rollers (Aves: Coraciiformes s.s.) from the Middle Eocene of Messel (Germany) and the Upper Eocene of the Quercy (France)|journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology|volume=20|issue=3|pages=533–546|doi=10.1671/0272-4634(2000)020[0533:racssf]2.0.co;2}}</ref>
|Mayr, 2000
|An early species of [[Biology:Coraciiformes|roller]], analysis of the plumage gave indication as to what its colours would have been in life.<ref name=BPZL21>{{Cite journal|last1=Babarović|first1=F.|last2=Puttick|first2=M. N.|last3=Zaher|first3=M.|last4=Learmonth|first4=E.|last5=Gallimore|first5=E.-J.|last6=Smithwick|first6=F. M.|last7=Mayr |first7=G.|last8=Vinther|first8=J.|year=2019|title=Characterization of melanosomes involved in the production of non-iridescent structural feather colours and their detection in the fossil record|journal=J. R. Soc.|volume=16|doi=10.1098/rsif.2018.0921}}</ref>
|[[File:Eocoracias brachyptera.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Sandcoleidae|Sandcoleidae]]
|''Eoglaucidium''
|''Eoglaucidium pallas'' <ref name=MB98>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|last2=Peters|first2=D. S.|year=1998|title=The mousebirds (Aves: Coliiformes) from the Middle Eocene of Grube Messel (Hessen, Germany)|journal=Senckenbergiana Lethaea|volume=78|issue=1-2|pages=179–197|doi=10.1007/bf03042768}}</ref>

''Eoglaucidium'' sp. indet.<ref name=list/>
|Mayr & Peters, 1998
|Originally described as an owl from the [[Earth:Geisel valley|Geiseltal]], it was later found to be related to mousebirds. It's tail is notably shorter than that of its extant relatives. It is possible that the indetermined species instead belongs to ''Anneavis''.
|[[File:Eoglaucidium sp.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|Gracilitarsidae
|''Gracilitarsus''
|''Gracilitarsus mirabilis''<ref name=GMGM01>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2001|title=A New Specimen of the Tiny Middle Eocene Bird Gracilitarsus Mirabilis (New Family: Gracilitarsidae)|journal=The Condor|volume=103|issue=1|pages=78–84|doi=10.1093/condor/103.1.78}}</ref>
|Mayr, 1998
|The shape of the beak indicates that ''Gracilitarsus'' was either an insectivore or fed on nectar.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Coliidae|Coliidae]]
|''Masillacolius''
|''Masillacolius brevidactylus''<ref name=MB98/>
|Mayr & Peters, 1998
|An extinct species of mousebird.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Trogonidae|Trogonidae]]
|''[[Biology:Masillatrogon|Masillatrogon]]''
|''Masillatrogon pumilio''<ref name=MT09>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1= G.|year=2009|title= A well-preserved second trogon skeleton (Aves, Trogonidae) from the middle Eocene of Messel, Germany|journal=Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments|volume=89|issue=1-2|pages=1–6|doi=10.1007/s12549-009-0001-9 }}</ref>
|Mayr, 2009
|An extinct species of [[Biology:Trogon|trogon]] that supports the hypothesis that the family originated in the Old World.
|[[File:Dans l'ombre des dinosaures - Masillatrogon - 018.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|Messelirrisoridae
|''[[Biology:Messelirrisor|Messelirrisor]]''
|''Messelirrisor grandis''<ref name=Mayr2000>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2000|title=Tiny Hoopoe-Like Birds From the Middle Eocene of Messel (Germany)|journal=The Auk|volume=117|issue=4|pages=964–970|doi=10.1093/auk/117.4.964}}</ref>

''Messelirrisor halycrostris''<ref name=Mayr2006>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2006|title= New specimens of the Eocene Messelirrisoridae (Aves: Bucerotes), with comments on the preservation of uropygial gland waxes in fossil birds from Messel and the phylogenetic affinities of Bucerotes|journal=Paläont. Z.|issue=80|pages=390–405|doi=10.1007/BF02990211}}</ref>

''Messelirrisor parvus''<ref name=Mayr2006/>
|Mayr, 2000

Mayr, 1998

Mayr, 1998
|Relatives of the modern [[Biology:Hoopoe|hoopoe]] and [[Biology:Wood hoopoe|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.
|[[File:Messelirrisor halcyrostris.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Leptosomidae|Leptosomidae]]?
|''[[Biology:Plesiocathartes|Plesiocathartes]]''
|''Plesiocathartes kelleri''<ref name=W06>{{Cite journal|last1=Weidig|first1=I.|year=2006|title=The first New World occurrence of the Eocene birdPlesiocathartes (Aves: ?Leptosomidae)|journal=Paläontologische Zeitschrift|volume=80|issue=3|pages=230–237|doi=10.1007/bf02988439}}</ref>
|Mayr, 2002
|A possible relative of the modern [[Biology:Cuckoo-roller|cuckoo-roller]].
|
|-
|Primobucconidae
|''[[Biology:Primobucco|Primobucco]]''
|''Primobucco frugilegus''<ref name=MMCW>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|last2=Mourer‐Chauviré|first2=C.|last3=Weidig|first3=I.|year=2004|title=Osteology and systematic position of the eocene primobucconidae (aves, coraciiformes sensu stricto), with first records from Europe|journal=Journal of Systematic Palaeontology|volume=2|issue=1|pages=1–12|doi=10.1017/S1477201903001093}}</ref>

''Primobucco perneri''
|Mayr, Mourer-Chaviré & Weidig, 2004
|The first recorded species of ''Primobucco'' in Europe.
|[[File:Primobucco.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|''Incertae sedis''
|''Quasisyndactylus''
|''Quasisyndactylus longibrachis''<ref name=Quasi/>
|Mayr, 1998
|''Quasisyndactylus'' is thought to be a relative of modern kingfishers, todies and [[Biology:Motmot|motmot]]s.
|[[File:Quasisyndactylus longibrachis 1.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|Coliidae <ref name=list>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2017|title=The early Eocene birds of the Messel fossilsite: a 48 million-year-old bird community adds a temporal perspective to the evolution of tropical avifaunas|journal=Biol. Rev.|volume=92|pages=1174–1188|doi=10.1111/brv.12274}}</ref>
|''Selmes''
|''Selmes absurdipes'' <ref name=Selmes>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2001|title=New specimens of the Middle Eocene fossil mousebird Selmes absurdipes Peters 1999. |journal=Ibis|volume=143|issue=4|pages=427–434|doi=10.1111/j.1474-919x.2001.tb04943.x}}</ref>
|Peters, 1999
|A genus of [[Biology:Mousebird|mousebird]].
|
|-
|}

===Cuculiformes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|Foratidae?
|Unnamed
|Unnamed
|
|Known from an isolated skull similar to the larger ''[[Biology:Foro panarium|Foro panarium]]''.
|
|-
|}

===Falconiformes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Masillaraptoridae|Masillaraptoridae]]
|''[[Biology:Masillaraptor|Masillaraptor]]''
|''Masillaraptor parvunguis''<ref name=MGM06>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2006|title=A new raptorial bird from the Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany|journal=Historical Biology|volume=18|issue=2|pages=99–106|doi=10.1080/08912960600640762}}</ref><ref name=MGM09>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2009|title=A well-preserved skull of the "falconiform" bird Masillaraptor from the middle Eocene of Messel (Germany)|url=http://www.palaeodiversity.org/pdf/02/Pal_2_15_315-320_gu_sw.pdf|journal=Palaeodiversity|volume=2|pages=315–320}}</ref>
|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.
|
|-
|}

===Galliformes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Clade
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|Gallinuloididae
|''Paraortygoides''
|''Paraortygoides messelensis''<ref name=MG06>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=Gerald|year=2006|title=New specimens of the early Eocene stem group galliform Paraortygoides (Gallinuloididae), with comments on the evolution of a crop in the stem lineage of Galliformes|journal=Journal of Ornithology|volume=147|issue=1|pages=31–37|doi=10.1007/s10336-005-0006-8}}</ref>
|Mayr, 2000
|One of the earliest known galliforms, the lack of a [[Biology:Crop (anatomy)|crop]] indicates they fed on only soft plant material.
|
|-
|}

===Gruimorphae===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Messelornithidae|Messelornithidae]]
|''[[Biology:Messelornis|Messelornis]]''
|''Messelornis cristata''<ref name=M04>{{Cite journal|last1=Morlo|first1=M.|year=2004|title=Diet of Messelornis (Aves: Gruiformes), an Eocene bird from Germany.|url=http://www.palaeodiversity.org/pdf/02/Pal_2_15_315-320_gu_sw.pdf|journal=Courier Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg|volume=252|pages=29–33}}</ref>
|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.
|[[File:Messelornis sp 563.JPG|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

===''Incertae sedis''===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|Eopachypterygidae
|''Eopachypteryx''
|''Eopachypteryx praeterita''

''Eopachypteryx ? sp.''<ref name=eopa16>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2016|title=Towards completion of the early Eocene aviary: A new bird group from the Messel oil shale (Aves, Eopachypterygidae, fam. nov.)|journal=Zootaxa|volume=4013|issue=2|pages=252–264|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.4013.2.6|pmid=26623896 }}</ref>
|Mayr, 2015
|
|
|-
|''Incertae sedis''
|''Lapillavis''
|''Lapillavis incubarens''<ref name=MG16>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2016|title=Fragmentary but distinctive: three new avian species from the early Eocene of Messel, with the earliest record of medullary bone in a Cenozoic bird.|journal=Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie-Abhandlungen|pages=273–286|doi=10.1127/njgpa/2016/0555}}</ref>
|Mayr, 2016
|
|
|-
|''Incertae sedis''
|''[[Biology:Perplexicervix|Perplexicervix]]''
|''Perplexicervix microcephalon''<ref name=MG10>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2010|title=A New Avian Species with Tubercle-bearing Cervical Vertebrae from the Middle Eocene of Messel (Germany)|journal=Records of the Australian Museum|volume=62|pages=21–28|doi=10.3853/j.0067-1975.62.2010.1537}}</ref>
|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 [[Biology:Anhimidae|Anhimidae]] and [[Biology:Cathartidae|Cathartidae]].
|
|-
|}

===Mirandornithes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|
|''Juncitarsus''
|''Juncitarsus merkeli''<ref name=Mayr14>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2014|title=The Eocene Juncitarsus – its phylogenetic position and significance for the evolution and higher-level affinities of flamingos and grebes|journal=Comptes Rendus Palevol|volume=13|issue=1|pages=9–18|ISSN=1631-0683|doi=10.1016/j.crpv.2013.07.005}}</ref>
|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.
|[[File:Juncitarsus merkeli 1.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Palaeognathae===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Lithornithidae|Lithornithidae]]
|''[[Biology:Lithornis|Lithornis]]''
|''Lithornis sp.''<ref name=list/><ref name=Li08>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2008|title=First substantial Middle Eocene record of the Lithornithidae (Aves): A postcranial skeleton from Messel (Germany)|journal=Annales de Paléontologie|volume=94|issue=1|pages=29–37|doi=10.1016/j.annpal.2007.12.004}}</ref>
|
|Its size was intermediate between ''Lithornis plebius'' and ''Lithornis hookeri''. Additionally, it represents the last known lithornithid in the fossil record.
|
|-
|''Incertae sedis''
|''[[Biology:Palaeotis|Palaeotis]]''
|''Palaeotis weigelti''<ref name=M14>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2014|title=The middle Eocene European "ratite" Palaeotis (Aves, Palaeognathae) restudied once more. |journal=Paläontologische Zeitschrift|volume=89|issue=3|pages=503–514|doi=10.1007/s12542-014-0248-y}}</ref>
|Lambrecht, 1928
|A flightless palaeognath, previous analysis considered it to be a relative to ostriches or rheas. More recent research however doubts this.
|[[File:Palaeotis weigelti 2.jpg|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Pelecaniformes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Threskiornithidae|Threskiornithidae]]
|''[[Biology:Rhynchaeites|Rhynchaeites]]''
|''Rhynchaeites messelensis''<ref name=M02>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2002|title=A contribution to the osteology of the Middle Eocene ibis Rhynchaeites messelensis (Aves: Threskiornithidae: Rhynchaeitinae nov. subfam.).|journal=Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie-Monatshefte|pages=501–512|doi=10.1127/njgpm/2002/2002/501}}</ref>
|Wittich, 1898
|Also known as the "snipe-rail" for its similarities to [[Biology:Rail (bird)|rails]] and painted snipes, it was actually a type of [[Biology:Ibis|ibis]].
|[[File:Rhynchaeites messelensis 28.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|}

===Psittacopasserae===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|-
|[[Biology:Messelasturidae|Messelasturidae]]
|''[[Biology:Messelastur|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 [[Biology:Psittacopasserae|Psittacopasserae]] alongside the Pseudasturidae (=Halcyornithidae).<ref name=M21>{{Cite journal|last=Mayr|first=Gerald|date=2021-06-01|title=A partial skeleton of a new species of Tynskya Mayr, 2000 (Aves, Messelasturidae) from the London Clay highlights the osteological distinctness of a poorly known early Eocene “owl/parrot mosaic”|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s12542-020-00541-8|journal=PalZ|language=en|volume=95|issue=2|pages=337–357|doi=10.1007/s12542-020-00541-8|issn=1867-6812|doi-access=free}}</ref>
|[[File:Messelastur gratulator (cropped).jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Quercypsittidae|Quercypsittidae]]?
|''Palaeopsittacus''
|''Palaeopsittacus cf. georgei''<ref name=WDM06>{{Cite journal|last1=Waterhouse|first1=D. M.|year=2006|title=Parrots in a nutshell: The fossil record of Psittaciformes (Aves). |journal=Historical Biology|volume=18|issue=2|pages=227–238|doi=10.1080/08912960600641224}}</ref>
|Harrison, 1982
|Although initially assigned to Psittaciformes, later research instead suggested the idea that it was a type of [[Biology:Frogmouth|frogmouth]] instead.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Zygodactylidae|Zygodactylidae]]
|''Primozygodactylus''
|''Primozygodactylus ballmanni''<ref name=PLQ/>

''Primozygodactylus danielsi''<ref name=PLQ/>

''Primozygodactylus eunjooae''<ref name=MZ09>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|last2=Zelenkov|first2=N.|year=2009|title=New Specimens of Zygodactylid Birds from the Middle Eocene of Messel, with Description of a New Species of Primozygodactylus|journal=Acta Palaeontologica Polonica|volume=54|issue=1|pages=15–20|doi=10.4202/app.2009.B103}}</ref>

''Primozygodactylus longibrachium''<ref name=PLQ>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2016|title=New species of Primozygodactylus from Messel and the ecomorphology and evolutionary significance of early Eocene zygodactylid birds (Aves, Zygodactylidae)|journal=Historical Biology|volume=29|issue=7|pages=875–884|doi=10.1080/08912963.2016.1261135}}</ref>

''Primozygodactylus mayor''<ref name=PLQ/>

''Primozygodactylus quintus''<ref name=PLQ/>
|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 [[Biology:Passeriformes|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.
|[[File:Primozygodactylus eunjooae.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|Pseudasturidae
|Pseudorasturidae indet.
|Pseudorasturidae indet.<ref name=M2000/>
|
|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''<ref name=GM2015>{{cite journal|author=Gerald Mayr |title=A reassessment of Eocene parrotlike fossils indicates a previously undetected radiation of zygodactyl stem group representatives of passerines (Passeriformes) |doi=10.1111/zsc.12128 |year=2015 |journal=Zoologica Scripta |volume=44 |issue=6 |pages=587–602 |s2cid=85599482 }}</ref>
|Mayr & Daniels, 1998
|A bird originally classified as a parrot, later research indicated that it may instead be closer to passeriforms.
|
|-
|Psittacopedidae<ref name=list/>
|''[[Biology:Pumiliornis|Pumiliornis]]''
|''Pumiliornis tessellatus''<ref name=ZS2015>{{cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2008 |title=Pumiliornis tessellatus Mayr, 1999 revisited — new data on the osteology and possible phylogenetic affinities of an enigmatic Middle Eocene bird|journal=Paläontologische Zeitschrift|volume=82|issue=3|pages=247–253|doi=10.1007/bf02988891}}</ref>
|Mayr, 1999
|A bird the size of a small [[Biology:Wren|wren]].
|
|-
|Pseudasturidae
|''[[Biology:Serudaptus|Serudaptus]]''
|''Serudaptus pohli''<ref name=M2000/>
|Mayr, 2000
|A bird with zygodactyl feet and long claws suited for climbing. It's exact phylogenetic position is poorly understood, with some research indicating it may be a basal member of the clade containing [[Biology:Passeriformes|Passeriformes]] and [[Biology:Psittaciformes|Psittaciformes]].
|[[File:Serudaptus NHMW.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|}

===Strigiformes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|Palaeoglaucidae
|''[[Biology:Palaeoglaux|Palaeoglaux]]''
|''Palaeoglaux artophoron''<ref name=P92>{{Cite journal|last1=Peters|first1=D.S.|year=1992|title=A new species of owl (Aves:Strigiformes) from the Middle Eocene Messel oil shale| url=https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/global_owl_project/descriptions/Fossil_owls/Peters%201992.pdf|journal=Papers in Avian paleontology honoring Pierce Brodkorp|volume=36|pages=161–169}}</ref>
|Peters, 1992
|A small owl preserving ribbon-like feathers arranged in a dense layer on its back.
|[[File:Palaeoglaux artophoron.JPG|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Strisores===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|
|''Cypseloramphus''
|''Cypseloramphus dimidius''<ref name=MG16/>
|Mayr, 2016
|A tentative apodiform.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Archaeotrogonidae|Archaeotrogonidae]]
|''Hassiavis''
|''Hassiavis laticauda''<ref name=Quasi>{{Cite journal|last1=Gerald|first1=M.|year=2004|title=New specimens of Hassiavis laticauda (Aves: Cypselomorphae) and Quasisyndactylus longibrachis (Aves: Alcediniformes) from the Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany|url=https://www.senckenberg.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/hassiavis.pdf|journal=Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg|volume=252|pages=23–28}}</ref>
|Mayr, 1998
|The skull of ''Hassiavis'' closely resembles that of modern [[Biology:Owlet-nightjar|owlet-nightjar]]s, being broad and short.
|[[File:Hassiavis laticauda 1.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|
|''Masillapodargus''
|''Masillapodargus longipes''<ref name=PKM01/>
|Mayr, 2001
|A relative of the modern [[Biology:Frogmouth|frogmouth]]s.
|
|-
|Jungornithidae?
|''Parargornis''
|''Parargornis messelensis''<ref name=GM03>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2003|title=A new Eocene swift-like bird with a peculiar feathering|journal=Ibis|volume=145|issue=3|pages=382–391|doi=10.1046/j.1474-919x.2003.00168.x}}</ref>
|Mayr, 2003
|A swift-like bird with short wings and long tail feathers, phylogenetic analysis indicate that it was a basal type of [[Biology:Hummingbird|hummingbird]].<ref name=FHotOW>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2005|title=Fossil hummingbirds in the Old World.|url=https://www.senckenberg.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/hummingbird_biologist.pdf|journal=Biologist|volume=52|issue=1|pages=12–16}}</ref>
|[[File:Parargornis messelensis.JPG|center|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Nyctibiidae|Nyctibiidae]]
|''[[Biology:Paraprefica|Paraprefica]]''
|''Paraprefica kelleri''<ref name=PKM05>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2005|title=The Palaeogene Old World potooParapreficaMayr, 1999 (Aves, Nyctibiidae): Its osteology and affinities to the New World Preficinae Olson, 1987|journal=Journal of Systematic Palaeontology|volume=3|issue=4|pages=359–370|doi=10.1017/s1477201905001653}}</ref>

''Paraprefica major''<ref name=PKM01>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2001|title=Comments on the osteology of Masillapodargus longipes Mayr 1999 and Paraprefica major Mayr 1999, caprimulgiform birds from the Middle Eocene of Messel (Hessen, Germany)|journal=Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Monatshefte Jg.|volume=2|pages=65–76|doi=10.1127/njgpm/2001/2001/65}}</ref>
|Mayr, 1999
|An old-world genus of [[Biology:Potoo|potoo]]. The two species can clearly be differentiated by size.
|[[File:Paraprefica kelleri.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|
|''Protocypselomorphus''
|''Protocypselomorphus manfredkelleri''<ref name=PCMK>{{Cite journal|last1=Gerald|first1=M.|year=2005|title=A New Cypselomorph Bird from the Middle Eocene of Germany and the Early Diversification of Avian Aerial Insectivores|journal=The Condor|volume=107|issue=2|pages=342–352|doi=10.1093/condor/107.2.342}}</ref>
|Mayr, 2005
|An aerial insectivore with reduced feet, it was recovered as a sister-taxon to all other [[Biology:Strisores|Strisores]].
|
|-
|Pan-Apodidae
|''[[Biology:Scaniacypselus|Scaniacypselus]]''
|''Scaniacypselus szarskii''<ref name=SSZ15>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2015|title=Skeletal morphology of the middle Eocene swift Scaniacypselus and the evolutionary history of true swifts (Apodidae)|journal=J Ornithol|volume=156|pages=441–450|doi=10.1007/s10336-014-1142-9}}</ref>
|(Peters, 1985)
|An early genus of [[Biology:Apodidae|swift]], its reduced legs and less developed wings indicate that it wasn't as aerial as its modern relatives and likely nested in trees.
|[[File:Dans l'ombre des dinosaures - Scaniacypselus - 02.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|}

===Suliformes===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Sulidae|Sulidae]]?
|''[[Biology:Masillastega|Masillastega]]''
|''Masillastega rectirostris''<ref name=MGM2002>{{Cite journal|last1=Mayr|first1=G.|year=2002|title=A skull of a new pelecaniform bird from the Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany. |url=https://bibliotekanauki.pl/articles/22380|journal=Acta Palaeontologica Polonica|volume=47|issue=3}}</ref>
|Mayr, 2002
|A bird tentatively referred to Sulidae, it was approximately the size of a modern [[Biology:European shag|European shag]]. It was likely piscivorous.
|[[File:Masillastega rectirostris holotype sp140b.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

==Mammals==
===Apatotheria===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Apatemyidae|Apatemyidae]]
|''[[Biology:Heterohyus|Heterohyus]]''
|''Heterohyus nanus''<ref name=VK90>{{Cite journal|last1=Von Koenigswald|first1=W.|year=1990|title=Die Paläobiologie der Apatemyiden (Insectivora sl) und die Ausdeutung der Skelettfunde von Heterohyus nanus aus dem Mitteleozän von Messel bei Darmstadt.|journal=Palaeontographica. Abteilung A, Paläozoologie, Stratigraphie|volume=210|issue=1-3|pages=41–77}}</ref>
|Teilhard de Chardin, 1921
|A mammal with elongated fingers and strong teeth that resembles the modern [[Biology:Aye-aye|aye-aye]] and likely filled a similar niche.<ref name=GM07/>
|[[File:Heterohyus 4939.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Artiodactyla===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Dichobunidae|Dichobunidae]]
|''Aumelasia''
|'' Aumelasia cf. gabineaudi''<ref name=FJL88>{{Cite journal|last1=Franzen|first1=J. L.|year=1988|title=Skeletons of Aumelasia (Mammalia, Artiodactyla, Dichobunidae) from Messel (M. Eocene, W. Germany).|journal=Courier Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg|volume=107|pages=309–321}}</ref>
|Sudré, 1980
|A lightly built early artiodactyl with a noticably long tail. ''Aumelasia'' is referred to the [[Biology:Diacodexeidae|Diacodexeidae]] by some researchers.<ref name=MSMS/>
|[[File:Aumelasia sp.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Dichobunidae|Dichobunidae]]
|''[[Biology:Messelobunodon|Messelobunodon]]''
|''Messelobunodon schaeferi''<ref name=Franz83>{{Cite journal|last1=Franzen|first1=J.L.|year=1983|title=Fossilfundstelle Messel, Nr. 35: Ein zweites Skelett von Messelobunodon (Mammalia, Artiodactyla, Dichobunidae) aus der "Grube Messel" bei Darmstadt (Deutschland, S-Hessen)|journal=Senckenbergiana lethaea|volume=64|issue=5-6|pages=403–445}}</ref>
|Franzen, 1980
|An early species of even-toed ungulate.
|[[File:Messelobunodon schaeferi franzen.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Choeropotamidae|Choeropotamidae]]
|''Masillabune''
|''Masillabune martini''<ref name=T85>{{Cite journal|last1=Tobien|first1=H.|year=1985|title=Zur Osteologie von Masillabune (Mammalia, Artiodactyla, Haplobunodontidae) aus dem Mitteleozan der Fossilfundstatte Messel bei Darmstadt (S-Hessen, Bundesrepublik Deutschland).|journal=Geologisches Jahrbuch Hessen|volume=113|pages=5–58}}</ref>
|Tobien, 1980
|An early species of even-toed ungulate.
|[[File:Masillabune Geiseltal.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Chiroptera===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Archaeonycteridae|Archaeonycteridae]]
|''[[Biology:Archaeonycteris|Archaeonycteris]]''
|''Archaeonycteris pollex''<ref name=SH88>{{cite journal |last1=Storch|first1=G. |last2=Habersetzer|first2=J. |year=1988 |title=''Archaeonycteris pollex'' (Mammalia: Chiroptera) eine neue Fledermaus aus dem Eozän der Grube Messel bei Darmstadt |journal=Courier Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg |volume=107 |pages=263–273}}</ref>

''Archaeonycteris trigonodon''<ref name=RP17>{{cite journal |last1=Revilliod|first1=P. |year=1917 |title=Contribution à l'étude des chiroptères des terrains tertiares |journal=Abhandlungen der Schweizerischen Paläontologischen Gesellschaft |volume=42 |pages=1–57}}</ref>
|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.<ref name=GM07/>
|[[File:Archaeonycteris trigonodon 4.jpg|frameless|center|upright|''Archaeonycteris trigonodon'']]
|-
|Hassianycterididae
|''[[Biology:Hassianycteris|Hassianycteris]]''
|''Hassianycteris magna''<ref name=SS81/>

''Hassianycteris messelensis''<ref name=SS81>{{Cite journal|last1=Smith|first1=J.D.|last2=Storch|first2=G.|year=1981|title=New Middle Eocene bats from "Grube Messel" near Darmstadt, W-Germany.|journal=Senckenbergiana biologica|volume=61|issue=3-4|pages=153–167}}</ref>

''Hassianycteris? revilliodi''<ref name=MSMS/>
|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 [[Biology:Molossidae|free-tailed bats]], it was a fast flying animal hunting above the treetops.<ref name=GM07/>
|[[File:Hassianycteris messelensis.jpg|frameless|center|upright|''Archaeonycteris trigonodon'']]
|-
|[[Biology:Palaeochiropterygidae|Palaeochiropterygidae]]
|''[[Biology:Palaeochiropteryx|Palaeochiropteryx]]''
|''Palaeochiropteryx spiegeli''<ref name=MSMS/>

''Palaeochiropteryx tupaiodon''<ref name=MSMS/>
|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.<ref name=GM07/>
|[[File:Palaeochiropteryx Muséum Grenoble 03082017.jpg|center|frameless|upright]]
|-
|[[Biology:Emballonuridae|Emballonuridae]]
|''Tachypteron''
|''Tachypteron franzeni''<ref name=SSH02>{{Cite journal|last1=Storch|first1=G.|last2=Sigé|first2=B.|last3=Habersetzer|first3=J.|year=2002|title=Tachypteron franzeni n. gen., n. sp., earliest emballonurid bat from the Middle Eocene of Messel (Mammalia, Chiroptera)|journal=Paläontol Z|volume=76|pages=189–199|doi=10.1007/BF02989856}}</ref>
|Storch, Sigé & Habersetzer, 2002
|A fast flying species that inhabited open airspaces, ''Tachypteron'' resembled the modern black-bearded tomb bat in proportions.<ref name=GM07/>
|
|-
|}

===Chimolesta===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Pantolestidae|Pantolestidae]]
|''[[Biology:Buxolestes|Buxolestes]]''
|''Buxolestes piscator''

''Buxolestes minor''<ref name=RDG14>{{Cite journal|last1=Rose|first1=K. D.|last2=Dunn|first2=R. H.|last3=Grande|first3=L.|year=2014|title=A new skeleton ofPalaeosinopa didelphoides(Mammalia, Pantolesta) from the early Eocene Fossil Butte Member, Green River Formation (Wyoming), and skeletal ontogeny in Pantolestidae|journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology|volume=34|issue=4|pages=932–940|doi=10.1080/02724634.2013.822876}}</ref>
|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.
|[[File:Buxolestes.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|Paroxyclaenidae
|''[[Biology:Kopidodon|Kopidodon]]''
|''Kopidodon macrognathus''<ref name=GM07/>
|(Wittich, 1902)
|''Kopidodon'' was the first mammal discovered in Messel and grew to a length of {{convert|115|cm|abbr=on}}. It shows some adaptations towards a climbing lifestyle.
|[[File:Kopidodon macrognathus - National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo - DSC07781.JPG|center|frameless]]
|-
|Paroxyclaenidae
|''"Paroxyclaenus"''
|''"Paroxyclaenus" sp.''<ref name=MSMS/>
|
|An undescribed relative of ''Kopidodon'' differing through the lack of a pronounced sagittal crest.
|
|-
|}

===Eulipotyphla===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Amphilemuridae|Amphilemuridae]]
|''[[Biology:Macrocranion|Macrocranion]]''
|''Macrocranion tenerum''<ref name=SG93>{{Cite journal|last1=Storch|first1=G.|year=1993|title=Morphologie und Paläobiologie von Macrocranion tenerum, einem Erinaceomorphen aus dem Mittel-Eozän von Messel bei Darmstadt (Mammalia, Lipotyphla).|journal=Senckenbergiana lethaea|volume=73|issue=1|pages=61–81}}</ref>

''Macrocranion tupaiodon''<ref name=MW77>{{Cite journal|last1=Maier|first1=W.|year=1977|title=Macrocranion tupaiodon Weitzel, 1949,–ein igelartiger Insektivor aus dem Eozän von Messel und seine Beziehungen zum Ursprung der Primaten.|journal=Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research|volume=15|issue=4|pages=311–318|doi=10.1111/j.1439-0469.1977.tb00544.x}}</ref>
|Tobien, 1962

Weitzel, 1949
|''Macrocranion'' were small, likely nocturnal, animals living on the forest floor. ''M. tupaiodon'' reached a size of up to {{convert|30|cm|abbr=on}} and was possibly omnivorous with woolly fur.<ref name=GM07/> The smaller ''M. tenerum'' meanwhile was inferred to be insectivorous and coverd in bristles. Some researchers suggest it may have moved like modern springhares.<ref name=GM07/><ref name=ST02>{{Cite journal|last1=Smith|first1=T.|last2=Bloch|first2=J.I.|last3=Strait|first3=S.G.|last4=Gingerich|first4=P.D.|year=2002| title=New species of Macrocranion (Mammalia, Lipotyphla) from the earliest Eocene of North America and its biogeographic implications|url= https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/48665/ID532.pdf | journal=CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF PALEONTOLOGY THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN|volume=30|issue=14| pages= 373–384}}</ref>
|[[File:Macrocranion tupaiodon 2.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Amphilemuridae|Amphilemuridae]]
|''[[Biology:Pholidocercus|Pholidocercus]]''
|''Pholidocercus hassiacus''<ref name=VKS83>{{Cite journal|last1=von Koenigswald|first1=W.|last2=Storch|first2=G.|year=1983|title=Fossilfundstelle Messel, Nr. 36: Pholidocercus hassiacus, ein Amphilemuride aus dem Eozän der "Grube Messel" bei Darmstadt (Mammalia, Lipotyphla).|journal=Senckenbergiana lethaea|volume=64|issue=5-6|pages=447–495}}</ref>
|von Koenigswald & Storch, 1983
|A larger relative of ''Macrocranion'', ''Pholidocercus'' was an animal {{convert|40|cm|abbr=on}}. It's 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 similarily covered in a hardened structure while the torso was covered in thick bristles.<ref name=GM07/>
|[[File:Pholidocercus hassiacus, hedgehog, Late Early Eocene, Darmstadt, Germany - Houston Museum of Natural Science - DSC01950.JPG|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Leptictida===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|Pseudorhyncocyonidae
|''[[Biology:Leptictidium|Leptictidium]]''
|''Leptictidium  auderiense''<ref name=MSMS/>

''Leptictidium nasutum''<ref name=SL85>{{Cite journal|last1=Storch|first1=G.|last2=Lister|first2=A. M.|year=1985|title=Lepticticium nasutum, ein Pseudorhyncocyonide aus dem Eozän der Grube Messel bei Darmstadt (Mammalia, Proteutheria). Fossilfundstelle Messel, Nr. 42.|journal=Senckenbergiana lethaea|volume=66|issue=1-2|pages=1–37}}</ref>

''Leptictidium tobieni''<ref name="WVK-GS">{{cite journal |author1=Wighart von Koenigswald |author2=Gerhard Storch | date = March 16, 1987| title = ''Leptictidium tobieni'' n sp., ein dritter Pseudorhyncocyonide (Proteutheria, Mammalia) aus dem Eozän von Messel | journal = Courier Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg | volume = 91 | pages = 107–116, 9 Abb| language = de}}</ref>
|Tobien, 1962

Storch & Lister, 1985

Von Koenigswald & Storch, 1987
|Known from Messel in the form of three species and multiple specimens, ''Leptictidium'' was a [[Biology:Eutheria|eutheria]]n mammal of uncertain relationships. It's hindlimbs are noticably larger than its forelimbs, but its means of locomotion are not agreed upon.
|[[File:Leptictidium auderiense.JPG|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Metatheria===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Herpetotheriidae|Herpetotheriidae]]
|''[[Biology:Amphiperatherium|Amphiperatherium]]''
|''Amphiperatherium goethei''<ref name=St93>{{Cite journal|last1=Storch|first1=G.|year=1993|title=Amphiperatherium goethei, ein weiteres Beuteltier aus dem Eozän von Messel (Mammalia, Didelphidae)|journal=Carolinea|volume=51|pages=123–124}}</ref>

''Amphiperatherium'' cf. ''maximum''<ref name=KH04/>
|Crochet, 1979
|A metatherian mammal, it was larger than ''Peradectes'' but with a proportionally shorter tail.
|[[File:Amphiperatherium.JPG|center|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Herpetotheriidae|Herpetotheriidae]]
|Herpetotheriidae indet.
|
|
|Either ''Amphiperatherium'' or ''[[Biology:Peratherium|Peratherium]]''.<ref name=MSMS/>
|
|-
|Peradectidae
|''"[[Biology:Peradectes|Peradectes]]"''
|''"Peradectes sp."''<ref name=KH04>{{Cite journal|last1=Kurz|first1=C.|last2=Habersetzer|first2=J.|year=2004|title=Untersuchungen der Zahnmorphologie von Beutelratten aus Messel mit der Mikroröntgenmethode CORR.|url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joerg-Habersetzer/publication/289119136_Investigation_into_the_tooth_morphology_of_bag_rats_from_Messelusing_Micro-roentgen_method/links/57924f2908aec89db7824dad/Investigation-into-the-tooth-morphology-of-bag-rats-from-Messelusing-Micro-roentgen-method.pdf|journal=Courier Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg|volume=252|pages=13–21}}</ref>
|
|A small arboreal mammal similar to ''Peradectes'' with a prehensile tail.
|[[File:Peradectes sp 1.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Pan-Carnivora===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Proviverridae|Proviverridae]]
|''Lesmesodon''
|''Lesmesodon behnkeae''<ref name=MH99>{{Cite journal|last1=Morlo|first1=M.|last2=Habersetzer|first2=J.|year=1999|title=The Hyaenodontidae (Creodonta, Mammalia) from the lower Middle Eocene (MP 11) of Messel (Germany) with special remarks on new x-ray methods.|url=https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/45166626/The_Hyaenodontidae_Creodonta_Mammalia_20160428-3337-w72t8k-with-cover-page-v2.pdf?Expires=1656398743&Signature=YtaPFGXyZRWjHv44oiinbMc4YNC413z4m13fUpUy2XUeyh91xujg2nfD1VHZVzkA4RoXeZkZjieN35iby9noN~6JekGrUra~5se4wLLEF5hlssL0uNc~l3LTXEXAi~Bzb1GmIDOEeywOM1~qNCiTki9XkyvuCaDBxCHAXQplPg4PDcZa1Vqo3g~lgSTIXIZNXDdAZ-54V0vWneFUQQMAGXlfjgfjyajz~MmzF4eLr7lvG9m7vhGMk63Hd5SHgWiHJKQX9mQjIUT5pfIEAk5XmENZIrhMkjXlLWwRc-BOVIe5~W4kGWQ-HL3v9tFGN132sJhCII9Ox52Ie-gj~IuKtA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA|journal=COURIER-FORSCHUNGSINSTITUT SENCKENBERG|pages=31–74}}</ref>

''Lesmesodon edingeri''<ref name=Sprin82>{{Cite journal|last1=Springhorn|first1=R.|year=1982|title=Neue Raubtiere (Mammalia: Creodonta et Carnivora) aus dem Lutetium der Grube Messel (Deutschland).|journal=Palaeontographica Abteilung A|volume=179|pages=105–141}}</ref>
|(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.
|[[File:Lesmesodon edingeri.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Miacidae|Miacidae]]
|''[[Biology:Messelogale|Messelogale]]''
|'' Messelogale kessleri''<ref name=Sprin00>{{Cite journal|last1=Springhorn|first1=R.|year=2000|title=Messelogale, eine neue Raubtiergattung aus dem Mitteleozän von Messel (Deutschland)|journal=Paläont. Z.|volume=74|pages=425–439|doi=10.1007/BF02988110}}</ref>
|(Springhorn, 1982)<ref name=Sprin82/>
|Originally thought to be a species of ''[[Biology:Miacis|Miacis]]'', it was elevated to its own genus in 2000. Unlike ''Lesmesodon'' it was an arboreal hunter.
|
|-
|[[Biology:Miacidae|Miacidae]]
|''[[Biology:Paroodectes|Paroodectes]]''
|''Paroodectes feisti''<ref name=Sprin80>{{Cite journal|last1=Springhorn|first1=R.|year=1980|title=Paroodectes feisti, der erste Miacide (Carnivora, Mammalia) aus dem Mittel-Eozän von Messel|journal=Paläont. Z.|volume=54|pages=171–198|doi=10.1007/BF02985887}}</ref>
|Springhorn, 1980
|An arboreal miacid.
|[[File:Paroodectes feisti.JPG|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Pholidota===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|Eomanidae<ref name=GWHG>{{Cite book|last1=Gaubert|first1=P.|last2=Wible|first2=J. R.|last3=Heighton|first3=S. P.|last4=Gaudin|first4=T. J.|year=2020|chapter=Phylogeny and systematics|title=Pangolins:Science, Society and Conservation|pages=25–39|doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-815507-3.00002-2}}</ref>
|''[[Biology:Eomanis|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.<ref name=K81>{{Cite journal|last1=Von Koenigswald|first1=W.|last2=Richter|first2=G.|last3=Storch|first3=G|year=1981|title=NACHWEIS VON HORNSCHUPPEN BEI EOMANIS WALDI AUS DER" GRUBE MESSEL" BEI DARMSTADT (MAMMALIA, PHOLIDOTA).|journal=Senckenb. Lethaea|volume=61|issue=3-6|pages=291–298|issn=0037-2110}}</ref>
|[[File:Eomanis waldi.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|
|''[[Biology:Euromanis|Euromanis]]''
|''Euromanis krebsi''<ref name="GT09">{{cite journal |last=Gaudin |first=Timothy |year=2009 |title=The Phylogeny of Living and Extinct Pangolins (Mammalia, Pholidota) and Associated Taxa: A Morphology Based Analysis |journal=Journal of Mammalian Evolution |publisher=Springer Science+Business Media |location=Heidelberg, Germany |volume=16 |issue=4 |pages=235–305 |doi=10.1007/s10914-009-9119-9 |url=http://web2.utc.edu/~gvv824/Gaudin%20et%20al%202009.pdf |access-date=2020-11-16 |archive-date=2015-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925134257/http://web2.utc.edu/~gvv824/Gaudin%20et%20al%202009.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|(Storch & Martin, 1994)
|A type of scaleless pangolin originally described as a species of ''Eomanis''.
|[[File:Euromanis krebsi.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|Eurotamanduidae
|''[[Biology:Eurotamandua|Eurotamandua]]''
|''Eurotamandua joresi''<ref name=DCSD>{{Cite journal|last1=Delsuc|first1=F.|last2=Ctzeflis|first2=F.M.|last3=Stanhope|first3=M.J.|last4=Douzery|first4=E.J. P.|year=2001|title=The evolution of armadillos, anteaters and sloths depicted by nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenies: implications for the status of the enigmatic fossil Eurotamandua|journal=Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B.|volume=268|pages=1605–1615|doi=10.1098/rspb.2001.1702}}</ref>
|Storch, 1981
|Described as an [[Biology:Anteater|anteater]] based on the enlarged claws and elongated skull, later research concluded that it was more likely to be a type of [[Biology:Pangolin|pangolin]].
|[[File:Eurotamandua joresi 1.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Perissodactyla===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Palaeotheriidae|Palaeotheriidae]]
|''[[Biology:Eurohippus|Eurohippus]]''
|''Eurohippus parvulus''<ref name=F06>{{Cite journal|last1=Franzen|first1=J.L.|year=2006|title=Eurohippus n.g., a new genus of horses from the Middle to Late Eocene of Europe. |journal=Senckenbergiana lethaea |volume=86|pages=97–102|doi=10.1007/BF03043638}}</ref>

''Eurohippus messelensis''<ref name=F17>{{Cite journal|last1=Franzen|first1=J.L.|last2=Habersetzer|first2=J.|year=2017|title=Complete skeleton of Eurohippus messelensis (Mammalia, Perissodactyla, Equoidea) from the early middle Eocene of Grube Messel (Germany)|journal=Palaeobio Palaeoenv|volume=97|pages=807–832|doi=10.1007/s12549-017-0280-5}}</ref>
|(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.
|[[File:Eurohippus with fetus.PNG|frameless|center]]
|-
|
|''[[Biology:Hallensia|Hallensia]]''
|''Hallensia matthesi''<ref name=F90>{{Cite journal|last1=Franzen|first1=J. L.|year=1990|title=Hallensia (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) aus Messel und dem Pariser Becken sowie Nachträge aus dem Geiseltal.|journal=Bulletin-Institut royal des sciences naturelles de Belgique. Sciences de la terre|volume=60|pages=175–201}}</ref>
|Franzen & Haubold, 1986
|A small species of primitive horse.
|[[File:Hallensia matthesi.jpg|frameless|center]]
|-
|Hyrachyidae
|''[[Biology:Hyrachyus|Hyrachyus]]''
|''Hyrachyus minimus'' <ref name=F81>{{Cite journal|last1=Franzen|first1=J. L.|year=1981|title=HYRACHYUS MINIMUS (MAMMALIA, PERISSODACTYLA, HELALETIDAE) AUS DEN MITTELEOZAENEN OELSCHIEFERN DER" GRUBE MESSEL" BEI DARMSTADT (DEUTSCHLAND, S-HESSEN)|journal=Senckenb. Lethaea|volume=61|issue=3-6|pages=371–376|ISSN=0037-2110}}</ref>
|Fischer, 1829
|An early rhinoceratoid or tapir, its discovery played a rolle in making Messel a protected site.
|[[File:Hyrachyus minimus.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Palaeotheriidae|Palaeotheriidae]]
|''[[Biology:Propalaeotherium|Propalaeotherium]]''
|''Propalaeotherium hassiacum''<ref name=WH10>{{Cite journal|last1=Wilde|first1=V.|last2=Hellmund|first2=M.|year=2010|title=First record of gut contents from a middle Eocene equid from the Geiseltal near Halle (Saale), Sachsen-Anhalt, Central Germany|journal=Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments|volume=90|issue=2|pages=153–162|doi=10.1007/s12549-010-0028-y}}</ref>
|Haupt, 1925
|An early species of horse reaching a shoulder height of {{convert|55-60|cm|abbr=on}}, making it larger than ''Eurohippus''.
|[[File:Propalaeotherium hassiacum.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Primates===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Adapidae|Adapidae]]
|''[[Biology:Darwinius|Darwinius]]''
|''Darwinius masillae''<ref name="plos">{{Cite journal | last1 = Franzen | first1 = J. L. | last2 = Gingerich | first2 = P. D. | last3 = Habersetzer | first3 = J. | last4 = Hurum | first4 = J. H. | last5 = Von Koenigswald | first5 = W. | last6 = Smith | first6 = B. H. | editor1-first = Hawks | editor1-last = J.| doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0005723 | title = Complete primate skeleton from the Middle Eocene of Messel in Germany: morphology and paleobiology| journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 4 | issue = 5 | pages = e5723 | year = 2009 | pmid = 19492084| pmc = 2683573 | bibcode = 2009PLoSO...4.5723F | doi-access = free }}</ref>
|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.
|[[File:Darwinius masillae PMO 214.214.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Adapidae|Adapidae]]
|''[[Biology:Europolemur|Europolemur]]''
|''Europolemur kelleri''<ref name=F00>{{Cite journal|last1=Franzen|first1=J.L.|year=2000|title=Europolemur kelleri n. sp. von Messel und ein Nachtrag zu Europolemur koenigswaldi (Mammalia, Primates, Notharctidae, Cercamoniinae)|journal=Senckenbergiana lethaea|volume=80|pages=275–287|doi=10.1007/BF03043672}}</ref>

''Europolemur koenigswaldi''<ref name=F00/>
|Franzen, 2000

Franzen, 1987
|An early primate primarily known from partial remains. One lower jaw was found in the coprolite of ''[[Biology:Buxolestes|Buxolestes]]'' while another fossil was found with the tooth of a crocodile embeded into it.<ref name=GM07/>
|[[File:Europolemur koenigswaldi 843.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Adapidae|Adapidae]]
|''[[Biology:Godinotia|Godinotia]]''
|''Godinotia neglecta''<ref name=FJL2000>{{Cite journal|last1=Franzen|first1=J.L.|year=2000|title=Der sechste Messel-Primate (Mammalia, Primates, Notharctidae, Cercamoniinae). |journal=Senckenbergiana lethaea|volume=80|pages=289–303|doi=10.1007/BF03043673}}</ref>
|(Thalmann et al., 1989)
|Preserved stomach contents of ''Godinotia'' suggest that it primarily fed on leaves and fruit.<ref name=FW03>{{Cite journal|last1=Franzen|first1=J.L.|last2=Wilde|first2=V.| year=2003| title=First gut content of a fossil primate.|url=https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/47396681/s0047-2484_2802_2900204-x20160721-11743-1rhbnbh-with-cover-page-v2.pdf?Expires=1656492430&Signature=Ku6J396crINAg7M8~mWhICMLYvpfoVR1plrWKTQlhtMPvE6BNw5NdDhmlx6AcQ6aesaRMygaPKcnGwv1cqEXpp7aMhGv05-AjPpk2tRT5uxPAFFZ~G2vlwAWNW4uqmTNYUqDuuwwJdmHOM~zoGell54OuXCW6LiwTtL9nnsxSjS~cjEpmrTFHaNOLdGc4Fh5~Td0gIBA3wIhCH4p7ZbDLT4KSoCvmLw77hpbmFdqQIdfmjYKKMLRtPAx38c25-t0GKF7VROoxnD3-ZoILiD~Oc5ktMT5ZudrVbkZv~1Xj9jKT4Sq6a3tQGmmO5bg5EfdG3wjw6iAu6Fv67PnC0QrpA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA|journal=Journal of Human Evolution|volume=44|issue=3|pages=373–378}}</ref> 
|[[File:Godinotia neglecta GMH L-2.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

===Rodentia===
{| class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
|- 
! Family
! Genus
! Species
! Authority
! Notes
! Image
|-
|[[Biology:Alagomyidae|Alagomyidae]]<ref name=MSMS/>
|''[[Biology:Ailuravus|Ailuravus]]''
|''Ailuravus macrurus''<ref name=H03>{{Cite journal|last1=Heissig|first1=K.|year=2003|title=Origin and early dispersal of the squirrels and their relatives.|journal=Deinsea|volume=10|issue=1|pages=277–286}}</ref>
|Weitzel, 1949
|A large arboreal rodent that resembles modern squirrels in proportion. It reached a total length of {{convert|1|m|abbr=on}}, most of which consisting of the bushy tail, and primarily fed on leaves.<ref name=GM07/>
|[[File:Ailuravus.jpg|center|frameless]]
|-
|[[Biology:Gliridae|Gliridae]]
|''Eogliravus''
|''Eogliravus wildi''<ref name=SGSC>{{Cite journal|last1=Storch|first1=G.|last2=Seiffert|first2=C.|year=2007|title=Extraordinarily preserved specimen of the oldest known glirid from the middle Eocene of Messel (Rodentia)|journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology|volume=27|issue=1|pages=189–194|doi=10.1671/0272-4634(2007)27[189:EPSOTO]2.0.CO;2}}</ref>
|Hartenberger, 1971
|The oldest known dormouse, it had a long and bushy tail and fed on seeds and plant buds.
|
|-
|
|''[[Biology:Masillamys|Masillamys]]''
|''Masillamys beegeri''<ref name=VLML19/>

''Masillamys krugi''<ref name=VLML19/>

''Masillamys parvus''<ref name=VLML19/>
|Tobien, 1954
|''Masillamys parvus'' is at times referred to the genus ''Hartenbergeromys'',<ref name=GM07/> but a 2019 study finds the differences to the type species insufficient to warrant this referal. It's tail was only sparsely covered in fur.<ref name=VLML19>{{Cite journal|last1=Vianey-Liaud|first1=M.|last2=Marivaux|first2=L.|last3=Lehamnn|first3=T.| year=2019|title=A reevaluation of the taxonomic status of the rodent Masillamys Tobien, 1954 from Messel (Germany, late early to early middle Eocene, 48–47 my).|url= https://hal.umontpellier.fr/hal-02433446/file/Vianey-Liaud-et-al_2019_Fossil-Imprint_Masillamys.pdf|journal=Fossil Imprint|volume=75|issue=3-4|pages=454–483|doi=10.2478/if-2019-0028}}</ref>
|[[File:Masillamys Senckenberg 2007-01.JPG|center|frameless]]
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

[[Category:Eocene life]]

{{Sourceattribution|Paleofauna of the Messel Pit|1}}