| Macedonian mouse | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Mus |
| Species: | M. macedonicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Mus macedonicus Petrov & Ruzic, 1983 | |
TheMacedonian mouse (Mus macedonicus) is a species ofrodent in the familyMuridae and orderRodentia. This rodent occurs in the southBalkans,Asia Minor, theCaucasus and theMiddle East south to Israel and Jordan and east to Iran.[1] It is considered part of aPalearctic group along with three other species: thehouse mouse,steppe mouse, andAlgerian mouse.[2]
The Macedonian mouse is a small rodent, weighing 15 grams (0.53 oz).[3] Fur color is variable across its range; in a study of numerous specimens in Turkey, Macedonian mice were found to have back colors ranging from dark brown to pale light brown to dark-reddish brown.[4] There is a distinct line of demarcation along the flanks that separates top and bottom coloration.[4] The bottom coloration ranged from whitish grey, pure white, yellowish white, and reddish white.[4] The ears have tiny white hairs.[4] This rodent has a tail that is dark brown on top and lighter on bottom.[4] The bottoms of the Macedonian mouse's feet are bare while the tops of their feet have white hairs.[4] Macedeonan mice are nocturnal.[3]
Thesutura squamalis has distinction from other species because it is smoothed or protrudes slightly forward.[4] The upper portion of thezygomatic arch is also narrower than the lower portion.[4] Macedonian mice found in Israel are smaller than their northern counterparts.[5]
Body mass of Macedonian mice exposed to short photoperiods increased - essentially they got bigger to stay warmer when it is cold.[3] The short photoperiods also increased their resistance to cold while long photoperiods increased their ability to manage higher temperatures.[3] Food consumption and waste production are lower in the mice that have longer photoperiods.[3] These physiological changes allow the mice to be well adapted to the changes that occur in the Mediterranean on a seasonal basis.[3] This mouse also shows a genetic tendency forglial fibrillary acidic protein in their lens epithelial cells.[6] This is a new marker of polymorphism in the genusMus.[6]
