Filikomys Temporal range:
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | †Multituberculata |
Superfamily: | †Ptilodontoidea |
Genus: | †Filikomys Weaver, 2020 |
Species | |
Synonyms | |
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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.[3] The type species is F. primaevus; a second, smaller species, F. minor, has been tentatively assigned to the genus.[4]
Filikomys primaevus is a roughly squirrel sized mammal. Several individuals were found within the same locale. The holotype is a dentary, NMC 1890.[3]
From Greek Filikós "friendly", and mys, mouse, alluding to its social behaviour. Primaevus is Latin for youthful.[3]
Filikomys primaevus is nested among the Ptilodontoidea.[3]
Several individuals were found co-habitating a burrow. This suggests multituberculates had complex social behaviours like modern mammals,[3] which in particular have been compared to the social complexity of placentals.[5]