Publications
Allaeochelys crassesculpta
A detailed anatomical and taxonomic study of Allaeochelys crassesculpta, a fossilized softshell turtle from the Messel Pit (Germany), reveals unique cranial and carapace features that distinguish it from other Carettochelyinae. The research, utilizing µCT imaging and morphological analysis, identifies diagnostic traits such as a straight labial margin of the maxilla, a deep quadrate fossa, and a flat ventral surface of the basioccipital, while confirming the absence of nasal bones and carapace scutes. The study also provides an updated diagnosis and comprehensive description of referred specimens from Messel Pit, contributing to our understanding of Eocene turtle evolution.
Increased hydroclimate variability in midlatitude Europe during the middle Eocene greenhouse
A high-resolution hydroclimate record from the Messel Pit Fossil Site (Germany) reveals that midlatitude Europe experienced significant variability in relative humidity during the middle Eocene greenhouse, partly decoupled from temperature changes. The study, using hydrogen and carbon isotopic composition of plant waxes preserved in varved sediments, shows that moisture sources varied due to fragmented paleogeography, with relative humidity fluctuating up to 60% between 47.7 and 47.2 million years ago. This variability decreased over time, coinciding with orbital insolation changes, suggesting a link between Earth's orbital cycles and hydroclimatic trends.
Micro-computed tomography indicates Eurotamandua, putative anteater from the Eocene of Messel, Germany, is related to pangolins, not xenarthrans
A re-evaluation of Eurotamandua joresi, a 47-million-year-old fossil from the Messel Pit in Germany, reveals it is not an ancient anteater but instead closely related to pangolins and their extinct relatives. Using micro-computed tomography (μCT) on the original skeleton—previously obscured by matrix compression and fiberglass resin—the study identified unique anatomical features, particularly in the forelimb, that indicate Eurotamandua was a specialized digger. Phylogenetic analysis confirms its affiliation with Holarctic palaeanodonts (Pholidotamorpha), not Xenarthra, challenging long-held assumptions about Old World xenarthrans. This finding resolves decades of debate and provides new insights into the evolutionary history of mammals during the Eocene.
Osteology, paleoecology, and phylogenetic relationships of the carettochelyid turtle Allaeochelys crassesculpta from the middle Eocene Konservat-Lagerstätte of Messel, Germany
A detailed osteological analysis of the carettochelyid turtle Allaeochelys crassesculpta from the middle Eocene Messel Pit reveals a unique combination of primitive and advanced traits, providing new insights into the evolutionary history of this group. Using micro-computed laminography and tomography, researchers reconstructed high-resolution 3D models of its skull, shell, and limbs, uncovering features such as an enlarged antrum postoticum and maxilla-quadratojugal contact. The study suggests that Allaeochelys crassesculpta possessed the ability for 'synchronous rowing,' a locomotor mode shared with the extant pig-nosed turtle, hinting at its origins in the Late Cretaceous to Paleocene transition. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis incorporating recent anatomical findings refines our understanding of carettochelyid evolution.
Central European climate variability during the Eocene hothouse
A previously unknown 'hyperthermal-like' warming event, correlating with marine isotopic excursions, has been identified in the Messel Pit Fossil Site record, suggesting that profound global warming events occurred more frequently during the Eocene than previously assumed. This discovery challenges the understanding of climate variability in past warm periods. The study utilized biomarkers from annually resolved maar lake sediments to reconstruct sub-millennial to millennial-scale temperature dynamics over a ~430 thousand-year period (47.7 to 47.2 million years ago). It revealed nonlinear warming of up to 3.5°C during the hyperthermal event, modulated by Earth's orbital cycles, and significant ecological changes in the lake ecosystem. Additionally, the research demonstrated that the Eocene climate transitioned from an unstable state with 5°C fluctuations to a stable state with only 2°C variability, likely driven by orbital configuration. Hydrogen isotopic analysis further indicated a decoupling of the hydrological cycle from regional temperature history and shifts in relative humidity of up to 60%.
High‐Resolution Lake Deposits Record Temperature Variability During the Middle Eocene Greenhouse in Central Europe
A previously unknown 'hyperthermal-like' global warming event was identified during the middle Eocene greenhouse period (47.5 million years ago) using high-resolution lake deposits from the Messel Pit Fossil Site, Germany. The study revealed that continental temperatures in Central Europe fluctuated between 21–28°C over a 430,000-year span, transitioning from a highly variable pattern to a more stable state. This shift may have been linked to orbital configurations or changes in the North Atlantic seaway. Researchers used terrestrial biomarkers preserved in maar sediments to reconstruct temperature variability under high atmospheric CO₂ conditions, providing critical insights into past climate dynamics. The findings align with concurrent marine isotopic excursions, underscoring the site's significance for understanding global climate events.
Sounds from the Eocene: the first singing cicada from the Messel Pit, Germany
Researchers have uncovered the first fossil evidence of singing cicadas from the Eocene epoch, specifically identifying a new genus and species, Eoplatypleura messelensis, within the tribe Platypleurini. This discovery at the Messel Pit in Germany not only represents one of the earliest known fossil records of crown-group Cicadidae in Eurasia but also the oldest confirmed record of the subfamily Cicadinae globally. The findings significantly enrich our understanding of cicada diversity during the Eocene and provide a crucial calibration point for molecular phylogenetic studies, shedding light on the origins and dispersal patterns of this insect group. Analysis of existing records further suggests that Cicadidae was once widely distributed across Europe during the Cenozoic era.
A plastron fragment reveals a previously unrecorded turtle species in the Eocene of Messel Pit, Germany
Researchers have identified a previously unrecorded turtle species from the Middle Eocene Messel Pit formation in Germany, based on a partial plastron fragment. The specimen, SMF ME-3495, exhibits unique morphological features such as gular tubercles, an extensive epiplastral lip, narrow gulars that overlap the entoplastron, and a sinuous gulo-humeral sulcus. These characteristics distinguish it from other known Messel turtle taxa. While insufficient to diagnose contemporary European species, its morphology suggests affinities with "ptychogasterid" geoemydids (Cryptodira). The study also notes bone corrosion indicative of 'shell disease' and distinctive coloration, providing additional insights into this fossil's biological context.
A splinter of charred oleaceous wood from late early Eocene volcanoclastic deposits of Germany
A charred wood splinter from the Messel Pit fossil site, Germany, provides rare insight into the region's Early Eocene flora. The specimen, dated to 48.27–48.11 million years ago, belongs to the Oleaceae family and shares anatomical features with modern genera like Olea, Chionanthus, and Noronhia. Despite its small size, the splinter's well-preserved structure allows for taxonomic placement within the drupaceous subtribe Oleinae. The wood likely originated from a local tree that was charred during a low-intensity phreatomagmatic eruption, offering direct evidence of vegetation in this UNESCO-listed site.
Eocene maar sediments record warming of up to 3.5 °C during a hyperthermal event 47.2 million years ago
A new study reveals that the Eocene hyperthermal event C21n-H1, occurring 47.2 million years ago, led to a rapid warming of up to 3.5 °C on continental regions. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the magnitude and pace of such events, which were primarily derived from marine records. Researchers analyzed terrestrial biomarkers and carbon isotopes from varved lake deposits in the UNESCO World Heritage site 'Messel Fossil Pit' (Germany), providing a high-resolution record of sub-millennial to millennial-scale temperature changes. The study suggests that the warming was driven by two factors: the massive release of greenhouse gases and half-precession orbital forcing, indicated by ~12,000-year temperature cycles. Additionally, a sharp decrease in carbon isotopes at the hyperthermal peak corresponds to increased organic carbon content and shifts in lake algal communities, offering insights into the ecological impacts of such events.
Improved chronostratigraphy for the Messel Formation (Hesse, Germany) provides insight into early to middle Eocene climate variability
A refined chronostratigraphy for the Messel Formation reveals that its sediments, spanning from 48.06 to 47.22 million years ago, were deposited over approximately 840 thousand years during the early to middle Eocene epoch. This precise dating, achieved through astronomical tuning of geochemical proxy data (gamma ray, total organic carbon, and carbon isotopes), corrects previous estimates by showing that the Lower Messel Formation (LMF) lasted around 130 thousand years while the Middle Messel Formation (MMF) took roughly 430 thousand years to accumulate. The study also indicates a slightly higher average sedimentation rate (~20 cm/kyr) for the oil-shale intervals, contradicting earlier assumptions. Additionally, the findings suggest that climate variability during this period was strongly influenced by orbital precession and eccentricity, with humidity changes paced by these factors. The synchronicity of carbon-isotope anomalies in Messel's sediments with global records further validates the age model, offering unprecedented temporal resolution to study ecosystem responses to abrupt climate disturbances like hyperthermals.
Iridescent harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones: Sclerosomatidae) from the Eocene of Messel, Germany
Paleontologists have uncovered the first fossilized harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) from the Messel Pit, Germany, dating back to the Eocene epoch (~47 million years ago). These specimens, belonging to the families ?Leiobunum messelense sp. nov. and ?Leiobunum schaali sp. nov., exhibit a remarkable iridescent, metallic coloration—a phenomenon previously unknown in arachnid fossils but common in insect fossils from Messel. The harvestmen display the characteristic 'daddy long legs' morphology, with small, rounded bodies and elongated legs, and their anatomical features suggest affiliation with the modern family Sclerosomatidae. The iridescence, typically associated with tropical sclerosomatids, hints at a possible link to subfamilies Gagrellinae or Leiobuninae, some of which also exhibit metallic lustre. This discovery suggests that warmer Eocene temperatures may have facilitated the exchange of early iridescent sclerosomatids between Eurasia and North America, contributing to their current global distribution and diversity.
The biodiversity of the Eocene Messel Pit
The Messel Pit, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany, is renowned for its exceptional fossil diversity spanning microfossils, plants, fungi, invertebrates, and vertebrates from the Eocene era. A recent study updates the taxonomic inventory of Messel, identifying 1409 taxa, while critiquing previous work for inaccuracies. Using modern biodiversity-theoretic techniques, researchers estimated that current sampling efforts have only scratched the surface, with aquatic and volant vertebrates being more comprehensively documented than terrestrial ones. The study also projects that maintaining current excavation rates would require significantly more effort to achieve complete species richness sampling. Contrary to earlier assumptions, the Messel ecosystem was not a tropical rainforest but rather a paratropical forest with biodiversity levels higher than present-day Central Europe but lower than Neotropical regions.
Was Palaeolake Messel a death-trap? Insight from modern bat drownings and decay experiments
A study challenges the notion that Palaeolake Messel was a deadly trap for bats. By analyzing modern bat drownings in swimming pools and conducting decay experiments on fresh bat carcasses, researchers found no evidence of elevated mortality rates at Messel beyond accidental drowning levels. The experiments revealed that water-filled lungs cause faster sinking, while all carcasses eventually disarticulate and sink within days to weeks. The study also estimated annual bat mortality at Messel to be comparable to swimming pool incidents, with rare mass mortality horizons for vertebrates. This research provides quantitative insights into the fate of bat fossils, suggesting that Messel was not a significant death-trap as previously hypothesized.
Detection of porphyrins in vertebrate fossils from the Messel and implications for organic preservation in the fossil record
Researchers have detected porphyrins, likely derived from diagenetically altered heme, in a well-preserved vertebrate fossil from the Messel Pit, Germany. These organic molecules, preserved alongside the fossil, suggest that complex biomolecules can endure in the fossil record under specific conditions. The study employed advanced techniques such as time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy to analyze the fossil and its surrounding sediments. The findings indicate that multiple processes, including the presence of pyrite, aluminosilicates like clay, and a carbonate-calcium phosphate crust, contribute to organic preservation. Similar mechanisms may have played a role in preserving heme in fossils from other localities, offering insights into the broader conditions that facilitate such preservation.
Exceptional preservation of internal organs in a new fossil species of freshwater shrimp (Caridea: Palaemonoidea) from the Eocene of Messel (Germany)
Researchers have uncovered a new species of extinct freshwater shrimp, Bechleja brevirostris, from the Eocene deposits of Messel Pit in Germany. This rare discovery is notable for its exceptional preservation of soft tissues and internal organs, including the stomach, branchiae (gills), ovary, and mandible—structures never before documented in fossilized shrimp. The species is characterized by a short rostrum with 6-8 dorsal spines and one ventral tooth, along with elongated second pereiopods featuring strong chelae. One additional specimen exhibits slight morphological differences, suggesting it may represent another species. The study also delves into the systematic position of Bechleja brevirostris within the Palaemonoidea superfamily and its implications for reconstructing the paleoenvironment of Lake Messel during the Eocene epoch. This finding enhances our understanding of both the paleobiogeography and ecological dynamics of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Variable Early Eocene continental hydroclimate in Central Europe?
Research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Messel Pit Fossil Site (Germany) reveals that Early to Middle Eocene continental hydroclimate in Central Europe was more variable than previously assumed, with abrupt temperature shifts coinciding with potential changes in moisture conditions. Using highly-resolved biomarker-based paleoclimate data from the site's finely laminated lake sediments, scientists reconstructed mean annual air temperatures ranging from 14 to 22°C over ~640,000 years (~48.0-47.4 Ma). Short-term temperature excursions of 4-5°C were identified, alongside significant variations in hydrogen and carbon isotope values of leaf waxes, suggesting dynamic hydroclimatic conditions. This study provides the first detailed quantification of long-term Eocene cooling in a terrestrial Central European archive, offering critical insights for climate modeling and understanding past climate variability.
Geotourism—Examining Tools for Sustainable Development
A network of interconnected factors, including geological heritage, science communication, education, and local stakeholder engagement, is identified as crucial for the sustainable development of geotourism in UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGPs). This study highlights that successful implementation requires more than just infrastructure development—such as signage—and necessitates a holistic approach integrating multiple elements. Examples from UGGPs like Lesvos Island (Greece), Naturtejo (Portugal), Vulkaneifel (Germany), and Hong Kong (China), alongside the Messel Pit World Heritage Site (WHS, Germany), demonstrate how this conceptual framework can be applied to foster sustainable tourism aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda. The research combines field observations, website analyses, and published materials to assess these practices.
Messel
Messel Pit, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Frankfurt am Main, Germany, offers unparalleled insights into a terrestrial ecosystem from Earth's last greenhouse climate phase during the Eocene, approximately 48 million years ago. This site preserves an extraordinary range of fossils—from algae to plants and animals—with remarkable detail, including iridescent insect coloration, bird plumage, reptile scales, and even organismic interactions such as predator-prey relations and reproductive behavior. The exceptional soft-tissue preservation at Messel is attributed to its oil shale sediment, which has a high water and organic content, enabling long-term conservation of vertebrate fossils through specialized transfer methods developed in the mid-20th century. Messel's species diversity in many groups surpasses that of similar areas today, making it a critical site for understanding life during a greenhouse climate.
Messel Pit UNESCO World Heritage Fossil Site in the UNESCO Global Geopark Bergstrasse-Odenwald, Germany – Challenges of Geoscience Popularisation in a Complex Geoheritage Context
Messel Pit, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its paleontological significance, faced existential threats from potential waste disposal plans. Its designation as Germany's first Natural World Heritage geosite marked a pivotal moment, driven by collaborative efforts to balance geoheritage preservation with sustainable development under the 2030 Agenda. The establishment of a visitor center, supported financially by the State of Hesse, became a cornerstone for geoscience popularization through exhibitions, guided tours, digital media, and geotourism products. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated innovation, leading to web-based games like 'Deathly Paradise' and video projects, further enhancing engagement. This study highlights the transformative potential of long-term collaboration between UNESCO entities—geosites and geoparks—as a model for international best practices in geoheritage conservation and public outreach.
The anatomy, phylogenetic relationships, and autecology of the carnivorous lizard “Saniwa” feisti Stritzke, 1983 from the Eocene of Messel, Germany
A re-examination of the Eocene lizard 'Saniwa' feisti from Messel, Germany, reveals it as a powerful, carnivorous stem monitor lizard with unique scalation and osteological features. Phylogenetic analysis places it within the Palaeovaranidae family, basal to modern varanids, suggesting convergent evolution of traits shared with helodermatids like Gila Monsters. Gut content analysis indicates a diet including small lizards, with gastric physiology hinting at high acidity but low enzyme activity. The study combines morphological and molecular data, offering new insights into the evolutionary history of carnivorous squamates.
The Messel Pit: Window into a Greenhouse World
The Messel Pit, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany, offers unparalleled insights into Earth's greenhouse ecosystems of the Eocene epoch. This fossil-rich deposit preserves an exceptional record of terrestrial organisms, providing a detailed snapshot of species diversity and ecological interactions under warm, equable conditions similar to those projected for future climate scenarios. The study leverages Messel's unique fossil preservation to reconstruct trophic chains and reproductive behaviors, demonstrating how modern groups of plants and animals evolved and interacted with their environment. By analyzing these ancient ecosystems as natural experiments, researchers can anticipate potential impacts of anthropogenic climate change, offering critical insights into the resilience and adaptability of life under extreme environmental conditions.
The phylogenetic relationships of geoemydid turtles from the Eocene Messel Pit Quarry: a first assessment using methods for continuous and discrete characters
A first quantitative analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of geoemydid turtles from the Eocene Messel Pit Quarry, Germany, reveals that their placement remains uncertain. While Bayesian and parsimony analyses performed well, incorporating discrete characters improved parsimony results. The study suggests two potential placements for the Messel fossils: sister to Orlitia borneensis or Geoemyda spengleri, with weak bootstrap support. However, the latter is problematic due to conflicting data on G. spengleri's phylogenetic position. The findings indicate that the Messel geoemydids may not be closely related to the Recent European Mauremys clade, challenging previous hypotheses about their evolutionary relationships.
Exquisitely Preserved Fossil Snakes of Messel: Insight into the Evolution, Biogeography, Habitat Preferences and Sensory Ecology of Early Boas
A groundbreaking analysis of exquisitely preserved fossil snakes from the Messel Pit (Germany) reveals that early boas, including Eoconstrictor fischeri, exhibited infrared-sensitive pit organs, challenging assumptions about their ecological roles. Phylogenetic and morphological assessments confirm a South America-to-Europe dispersal event for Eoconstrictor and highlight its affinity with Neotropical boas while demonstrating the cosmopolitan nature of Messel's early Eocene booid fauna. The study suggests that these snakes occupied diverse terrestrial habitats, mirroring modern booid size- and habitat-preference patterns.
Palaeoamyda messeliananov. comb. (Testudines, Pan-Trionychidae) from the Eocene Messel Pit and Geiseltal localities, Germany, taxonomic and phylogenetic insights
A new combination, Palaeoamyda messeliana nov. comb., is proposed for soft-shell turtle specimens from the Eocene Messel Pit and Geiseltal localities in Germany, previously attributed to Trionyx messelianus or Rafetoides austriacus. This species is revealed as a sister taxon to the extant Asian soft-shell turtle Amyda cartilaginea, both belonging to the clade Chitrini. The study describes five well-preserved specimens, providing a revised diagnosis and integrating phylogenetic insights into Pan-Trionychidae. These fossils represent some of the most complete pan-trionychid skeletons known, offering significant taxonomic and evolutionary perspectives on this group.
Microscopical and elemental FESEM and Phenom ProX-SEM-EDS analysis of osteocyte- and blood vessel-like microstructures obtained from fossil vertebrates of the Eocene Messel Pit, Germany
This study reveals the exceptional preservation of osteocyte-like and blood vessel-like microstructures within fossilized bones from Eocene vertebrates at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Messel Pit, Germany. These microstructures, identified in turtles, crocodiles, and a pangolin, exhibit distinct chemical and physical characteristics, including a thin layer with mottled texture and striations, as well as microbial troughs on their surfaces. Iron (Fe) was notably abundant in these structures but absent from the bone matrix or collagen fibril-like microstructures. The findings suggest that soft-tissue elements, at least in their physical form, can be preserved in Messel fossils, paving the way for future investigations into biomolecule preservation, such as proteins or DNA.
Caught in the act: the first record of copulating fossil vertebrates
Fossilized pairs of the carettochelyid turtle Allaeochelys crassesculpta from the Eocene Messel Pit Fossil Site, Germany, represent the first recorded instances of fossil vertebrates caught in copulation. This discovery challenges assumptions about taphonomy and lake ecology at Messel. Unlike typical indirect behavioral inferences, these mating pairs suggest that the turtles initiated copulation in habitable surface waters before perishing when their skin absorbed toxins while sinking into deeper, lethal layers. The findings support a stratified volcanic maar lake model with distinct inhabitable and toxic zones, providing unprecedented insight into ancient vertebrate behavior and paleoenvironmental conditions.
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