Kingdom Animalia Order Rodentia Genus Mus Higher classification Mouse | Phylum Chordata Family Muridae Scientific name Mus macedonicus Rank Species | |
Similar Mouse, Mammal, Rodent, Steppe mouse, Mus | ||
The Macedonian mouse (Mus macedonicus) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae and order Rodentia. This rodent lives in the area from eastern Georgia and western Bulgaria to Israel. It is considered part of a Paleoarctic group along with three other types of rodents: M. musculus, M. spicilegus, and M. spretus.
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Description
The Mus macedonicus is a small rodent (15 g). It has very different fur color based upon location. In a study of numerous specimens in Turkey, the Mus macedonicus was found to have back colors ranging from dark brown to pale light brown to dark-reddish brown. There is a distinct line of demarcation along the flanks that separates top and bottom coloration. The bottom coloration ranged from whitish grey, pure white, yellowish white, and reddish white. The ears have tiny white hairs. This rodent has a tail that is dark brown on top and lighter on bottom. The bottoms of the Mus macedonicus' feet are bare while the tops of their feet have white hairs. Mus macedonicus are nocturnal.
Morphology
The sutura squamalis has distinction from other species because it is smoothed or protrudes slightly forward. The upper portion of the zygomatic arch is also more narrow than the lower portion. Mus macedonicus found in Israel are smaller than their Northern counterparts.
Physiology
Body mass of Mus macedonicus exposed to short photoperiods increased - essentially they got bigger to stay warmer when it is cold. The short photoperiods also increased their resistance to cold while long photoperiods increased their ability to manage higher temperatures. Food consumption and waste production are lower in the mice that have longer photoperiods. These physiological changes allow Mus macedonicus to be well adapted to the changes that occur in the Mediterranean on a seasonal basis. This mouse also shows a genetic tendency for glial fibrilary acidic protein in their lens epithelial cells. This is a new marker of polymorphism in the Mus Genus.