Necrolemur fossil map
Where fossils of Necrolemur 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 | 41.03–27.3 million years ago (Bartonian to Rupelian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Omomyidae |
| Named by | Filhol 1873 |
| Fossil records | 44 occurrences at 15 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | France, Switzerland, Spain |
| Rock formations | txn:40793, Perriere, Bellmunt, Calcaire de Saint-Ouen |
About Necrolemur
Necrolemur is a small bodied omomyid with body mass estimations ranging from 114–346 g (4.0–12.2 oz). Necrolemur's teeth feature broad basins and blunt cusps, suggesting their diet consisted of mostly soft fruit, though examination of microwear patterns suggests that populations from lower latitudes also consumed insects and gums.
While they do not sport a true tooth comb like modern lemurs, microwear patterns on their lower incisors suggest they engaged in fur grooming behaviors. Like tarsiers, Necrolemur had large, front-facing, close set eyes and were likely nocturnal. Analysis of cranial and postcranial fossils by paleontologists suggest members of the family Omomyidae, including the genus Necrolemur, possessed highly specialized adaptations for leaping.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Necrolemur (revision 1375729047), 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: Q40092.
