Macrocranion fossil map
Where fossils of Macrocranion have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 56 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 56 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 | 59.24–37 million years ago (Thanetian to Priabonian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Amphilemuridae |
| Named by | Weitzel 1949 |
| Fossil records | 106 occurrences at 26 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States, France, Belgium, United Kingdom |
| Rock formations | Willwood, Wasatch, Wind River, San Jose, Tienen, Aycross |
About Macrocranion
Macrocranion is a genus of extinct mammal from the Eocene epoch of Europe and North America. Exceptional fossils have been found in the Messel Pit of Germany. Macrocranion species are often described as forest-floor predators, about the size of small squirrels but with longer limbs.
The genus is represented at the Messel Pit site by two species, M. tupaidon and M. tenerum.
M. tupaiodon had woolly fur with no spikes. Although possibly an omnivore, fossil remains indicate the specimen had eaten fish near the time of its death. This small animal was approximately fifteen cm in length, with long back legs capable of considerable speed.
The fossil of M. tenerum is five cm long. The species also had long legs for rapid movement, but its fur included a spiky protection. The long legs, however, indicate the animal could not have effectively rolled up for defense. Fossilized stomach remains show that M. tenerum's diet included ants, so it may have been an insectivore.
The oldest species are M. vandebroeki from the Paleocene-Eocene transition of Northern Europe and M. junnei from the Wasatchian (Early Eocene) of Wyoming.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Macrocranion (revision 1338479537), 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: Q1070631.
