It lived during the upper Miocene (about 11.63 - 5 million years ago) and its fossil remains have been found in Italy (Gargano).

The oldest specimens of the genus were still characterized by a dental pattern typical of murids, consisting of a succession of three parallel rows of cusps.

In the last and largest species, M. magna, the first lower molar had acquired a pattern totally similar to that of voles, with six rows of transverse ridges.

[1] Mikrotia is represented by three species (M. parva, M. maiuscula and M. magna), all found in the fissure deposits of Gargano.

[3] Mikrotia, despite the affinities of the dentition with those of the arvicolines, belongs to the Muridae on the basis of cranial characteristics.