Eorhynchocyon fossil map
Where fossils of Eorhynchocyon have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 45 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 45 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 | 41.03–37.71 million years ago (Bartonian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Rhynchocyonidae |
| Named by | Senut and Pickford 2021 |
| Fossil records | 2 occurrences at 1 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Namibia |
| Rock formations | txn:72235 |
About Eorhynchocyon
Eorhynchocyon is an extinct mammal genus from the macroscelidid superfamily.
Fossils of an unknown animal were found in Namibia. The fossils descended from Bartonian-Priabonian stage.
Authors describe it as a Macroscelidea member of middle size. As a diagnostic trait they enlisted convex mandible profile and ascending mandible ramus leaning backwordly. Mandible shape resembled the sengi, known scientifically as Hypsorhynchocyon. Whole mandible length measures 36 mm and alveolar processes are from 21.4 to 22 mm. In a half of mandible three incisors, one canine, four premolars and two molar was found. Identical dental formula characterises extant sengis. No diastema is present. Lower canine teeth have 2 roots converging partially or completely.
Senut and Pickford named the described genus Eorhynchocyon. First part of the generic name, prefix eo, has Greek origin and means dawn (Greek word eos was used in other taxa names, as Eocarcharia). Rhyncho denotes muzzle and cyon means dog. Altogether they consist a generic name of modern day mammal Rhynchocyon of common name sengi or elephant shrew. In the genus Eorhynchocyon a singular species was classified, namely Eorhynchocyon rupestris. Holotype is specimen EC7 7.2a, comprising complete left mandible. Type locality is Eocliff 7, Namibia.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Eorhynchocyon (revision 1360550396), 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: Q114554272.
