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 Temporal range:
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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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Description
editFilikomys primaevus is a roughly squirrel sized mammal. Several individuals were found within the same locale. The holotype is a dentary, NMC 1890.[3]
Etymology
editFrom Greek Filikós "friendly", and mys, mouse, alluding to its social behaviour. Primaevus is Latin for youthful.[3]
Classification
editFilikomys primaevus is nested among the Ptilodontoidea.[3]
Social behaviour
editSeveral 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]
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e 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.