| Filikomys Temporal range: 72 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓ | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | †Multituberculata |
| Superfamily: | †Ptilodontoidea |
| Genus: | †Filikomys Weaver, 2020 |
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Filikomys is an extinct genus of mammal from the Campanian of North America. A multituberculate, it demonstrates complex social behaviours were present in these early mammals. The type species is F. primaevus; a second, smaller species, F. minor, has been tentatively assigned to the genus.
Description
Filikomys primaevus is a roughly squirrel sized mammal. Several individuals were found within the same locale. The holotype is a dentary, NMC 1890.
Etymology
From Greek Filikós "friendly", and mys, mouse, alluding to its social behaviour. Primaevus is Latin for youthful.
Classification
Filikomys primaevus is nested among the Ptilodontoidea.
Social behaviour
Several individuals were found co-habitating a burrow. This suggests multituberculates had complex social behaviours like modern mammals, which in particular have been compared to the social complexity of placentals.
References
- Lambe L., M. (1902-12-31). "New genera and species from the Belly River Series (mid-Cretaceous)". Contributions to Canadian Palaeontology. 3. Geological Survey of Canada: 25–81. doi:10.5281/ZENODO.3233762.
- Eaton, Jeffrey G. (2002). Multituberculate mammals from the Wahweap (Campanian, Aquilan) and Kaiparowits (Campanian, Judithian) formations, within and near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, southern Utah. Miscellaneous publication / Utah Geological Survey. Utah Geological Survey. Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah Geological Survey. ISBN 978-1-55791-665-5. OCLC 50182092.
- ^ Weaver, Lucas N.; Varricchio, David J.; Sargis, Eric J.; Chen, Meng; Freimuth, William J.; Wilson Mantilla, Gregory P. (2 November 2020). "Early mammalian social behaviour revealed by multituberculates from a dinosaur nesting site". Nature Ecology & Evolution. 5 (1): 32–37. doi:10.1038/s41559-020-01325-8. PMID 33139921. S2CID 226241443.
- Weaver, Lucas N.; Varricchio, David J.; Sargis, Eric J.; Chen, Meng; Freimuth, William J.; Wilson Mantilla, Gregory P. (2020-11-02). "(Supplementary information) Early mammalian social behaviour revealed by multituberculates from a dinosaur nesting site". Nature Ecology & Evolution. 5 (1): 32–37. doi:10.1038/s41559-020-01325-8. ISSN 2397-334X.
- Urton, James (25 July 2022). "New study challenges old views on what's 'primitive' in mammalian reproduction". UW News. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
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| Filikomys | |