Megapedetes fossil map
Where fossils of Megapedetes 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 | 27.3–11.63 million years ago (Chattian to Serravallian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Pedetidae |
| Named by | MacInnes 1957 |
| Fossil records | 24 occurrences at 9 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Kenya, Namibia, Uganda, Saudi Arabia |
| Rock formations | txn:41965, Maboko, Dam, Upper Koru Series, Muhroni Agglomerates, Legetet |
About Megapedetes
Megapedetes is a genus of fossil rodents related to the springhare and other species of the genus Pedetes, with which it forms the family Pedetidae. At least four species are known, which ranged through Africa, southwestern Asia, and southeastern Europe from the Miocene to the Pliocene. The genus was larger than Pedetes.
Species of Megapedetes were larger, relatively low-crowned (brachydont) pedetids with short, mostly fused roots under their teeth. There was no gutter surrounding the incisive foramina (openings in the front part of the palate). The bones are more robustly built than in Pedetes and in another fossil relative of the springhares, Parapedetes. Unlike in Pedetes, the first metatarsal (a foot bone) is present. It may have fed on less rough vegetation than Pedetes does.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Megapedetes (revision 1248772423), 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: Q6808793.
