Witwatia fossil map
Where fossils of Witwatia 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 | 56–33.9 million years ago (Ypresian to Priabonian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Philisidae |
| Named by | Gunnell et al. 2008 |
| Fossil records | 8 occurrences at 3 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria |
| Rock formations | Birket Qarun, Chambi, Glib Zegdou |
About Witwatia
Witwatia (from the Egyptian Arabic Wit Wat meaning "large, flapping wings") is an extinct genus of giant bat that contained two species which lived in the Al Fayyum in Egypt during the late Eocene (Priabonian epoch) and one species which lived in Tunisia during the early Eocene. It is known from a lower jaw and teeth. Three species have been named: the type species W. schlosseri, W. eremicus and W. sigei.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Witwatia (revision 1248790520), 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: Q2912657.
