Lingusamys

Lingusamys is an extinct genus of small mammals known from fossil remains recovered in Neogene deposits across the Veridia region. The genus is believed to have inhabited tropical and subtropical forests from the Late Miocene to Early Pliocene, occupying a range of forested habitats from montane to coastal zones. The available material suggests a modest body size and a lifestyle adapted to moving through leaf litter and among understory vegetation.

The genus Lingusamys was established by paleontologist Mara Kline in 1987, based on a partial skull and associated jaw fragments. The name combines elements from Latin and Greek intended to evoke the animal’s elongated snout and dentition. Currently, two described species are placed in the genus: Lingusamys montanus, from montane forest sites, and Lingusamys littoralis, from coastal deposits. These species are distinguished mainly by differences in size, skull proportions, and dental micromorphology.

Morphology inferred from the fossils indicates a small-bodied mammal, approximately 6 to 9 cm in head-body length, with a slender skull, elongated rostrum, and sharp incisors. Dental features point to a primarily insectivorous diet with possible opportunistic fruit consumption. Limb bones suggest capabilities for climbing and navigating through dense vegetation, consistent with a forest-floor to mid-canopy lifestyle.

Distribution and habitat data derive from multiple fossil localities, indicating Lingusamys occupied a broad ecological niche within Veridia’s Neogene forests. The genus contributes to understanding the early diversification of small tropical mammals in the region and provides calibration points for vertebrate faunal turnover during this period. Further discoveries may refine species boundaries and ecological interpretations.