Rikkeos

Rikkeos is a genus of small, extinct mammals that lived during the Eocene epoch, approximately 56 to 34 million years ago. The genus is known from fossil remains found in Europe, particularly in the Paris Basin of France. Rikkeos is characterized by its small size, with body lengths estimated to be around 10-15 centimeters, and its primitive dental structure, which includes both incisors and molars.

The genus Rikkeos is named after the French paleontologist Rikke, who first described the fossils in the 1960s. The type species, Rikkeos brevis, was initially classified as a member of the order Insectivora, but later reclassified as a member of the order Soricomorpha, which includes modern-day shrews and moles.

Rikkeos fossils are relatively rare and fragmentary, making it difficult to determine the exact biology and behavior of these animals. However, their small size and primitive dental structure suggest that they may have been insectivorous, feeding on small invertebrates. The genus Rikkeos provides valuable insights into the early evolution of mammals and the diversification of the order Soricomorpha.