Dimylus fossil map
Where fossils of Dimylus have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 15 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 15 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early mammals |
|---|---|
| Lived | 23.04–20 million years ago (Aquitanian to Burdigalian) |
| Periods | Neogene |
| Family | Dimylidae |
| Named by | von Meyer 1846 |
| Fossil records | 8 occurrences at 4 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Germany |
| Rock formations | txn:40520, Lower Freshwater Molasse |
About Dimylus
Dimylus is an extinct genus of insectivore mammal.
The creature probably resembled the modern desman in terms of size (10–20 cm in length) and physical appearance, possessing a proboscis. Its knobby teeth were small (no longer than 3,6 mm) and covered with enamel. Coupled with powerful jaw muscles this made Dimylus capable of crushing armored creatures such as crustaceans. Dimylus has been found in Europe, in areas that were abundant with water in the time it existed, suggesting it filled the same ecological niche as the modern desmans.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Dimylus (revision 1204296524), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q5277810.
