There is growing interest in the integration of macroecology and palaeoecology towards a better understanding of past, present, and anticipated future biodiversity dynamics. However, the empirical basis for this integration has thus far been limited. Here we present prospects for a macroecology–palaeoecology integration in biodiversity analyses by using temporal dynamics of marine latitudinal diversity gradients as an example, with a focus on marine microfossils [i.e. small (or small parts of) organisms with high fossilization potential]. Marine microfossils represent a useful model system for such integrative research because of their high abundance, large spatiotemporal coverage, and good taxonomic and temporal resolution. The microfossil record allows for quantitative cross-scale research designs, which help in answering fundamental questions about marine biodiversity. The inclusion of a deep-time perspective based on high-resolution microfossil records may be an important step for the further maturation of macroecology.