Reaktiottas

Reaktiottas is a genus of extinct mammals that lived during the Paleocene epoch, around 60-55 million years ago. The name "Reaktiottas" is derived from the Greek word "reaktio," meaning "reaction," which refers to the unique reaction of snout morphology observed in this species.

Fossil remains of Reaktiottas have been found in the North American continent, specifically in the North American province of Alberta, Canada, and the American province of New Mexico. The most well-known species of this genus is Reaktiottas prattae, which was named after its discoverer, Sydney H. Pratt. The species is characterized by its diminutive size, with estimates suggesting a body length of around 10 inches.

The Reaktiottas genus is defined by its distinctive dental morphology, featuring a symphyseal inset diastema and a lisorotally-wavy molar shape, which distinguish it from other mammalian species of the time period. Stomach contents analysis reveals that Reaktiottas likely consumed a diet of soft-bodied organisms, such as various invertebrates.

Comparative studies indicate that Reaktiottas displays phylogenetic affinity with the elongated genus Bathyaraea, suggesting a potential genetic relationship between the two species. However, further research is necessary to clarify this hypothesis. Reaktiottas fossils are scarce and distributionally limited, indicating that they likely occupied a narrow ecological niche. Overall, the Reaktiottas genus offers insights into the mammalian fauna of the early Paleogene epoch and contributes to a broader understanding of the evolution of small mammalian species during this time period.