Filikomys

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: 72 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	†Multituberculata
Superfamily:	†Ptilodontoidea
Genus:	†Filikomys Weaver, 2020
Species
F. primaevus Lambe, 1902[1] F. minor? Eaton, 2002[2]
Synonyms
Ptilodus primaevus Lambe, 1902

Description

Filikomys primaevus is a roughly squirrel sized mammal. Several individuals were found within the same locale. The holotype is a dentary, NMC 1890.^[3]

Etymology

From Greek Filikós "friendly", and mys, mouse, alluding to its social behaviour. Primaevus is Latin for youthful.^[3]

Classification

Filikomys primaevus is nested among the Ptilodontoidea.^[3]

Social behaviour

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]