Cypriot mouse

The Cypriot mouse (Mus cypriacus) is a species of mouse endemic to Cyprus.[1][2] Its primary habitat seems to be the vineyards and fields of the Troödos Mountains region.[3]

Cypriot mouse
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Muridae
Genus: Mus
Subgenus: Mus
Species:
M. cypriacus
Binomial name
Mus cypriacus
Cucchi et al., 2006

The mouse was recognized as a new species in 2004 by Thomas Cucchi, a research fellow at the University of Durham. It was formally described in 2006,12 October 2006, in Zootaxa.[4][3]

The Cypriot mouse has characteristics that distinguish it from other European mice: bigger ears, eyes and teeth;[5]DNA tests confirmed that it was a distinct species. It is native to Cyprus.[6]

"All other endemic mammals of Mediterranean islands died out following the arrival of man, with the exception of two species of shrew. The new mouse of Cyprus is the only endemic rodent still alive, and as such can be considered as a living fossil," said Dr. Cucchi.[3] Originally, Dr. Cucchi wanted to call it Mus Aphrodite, as Cyprus is the birthplace of Aphrodite according to Greek mythology.


References
  1. |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229076579_A_New_Endemic_Species_Of_The_Subgenus_Mus_Rodentia_Mammalia_On_The_Island_Of_Cyprus | title = A new endemic species of the subgenus Mus (Rodentia, Mammalia) on the Island of Cyprus | authors = T. Cucchi, A. Orth, J.-C. Auffray, S. Renaud, L. Fabre, J. Catalan, E. Hadjisterkotis, F. Bonhomme, J.-D. Vigne | journal = Zootaxa | volume = 1241 | number = 1 | publisher = Magnolia Press | date = 23 June 2006 }}
  2. Amori, G.; Hadjisterkotis, E. (2008). "Mus cypriacus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T136641A4321653. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T136641A4321653.en. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  3. Thomas Wagner (October 13, 2006). "'Living fossil' mouse found on Cyprus, a rare discovery for Europe". North County Times. Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  4. "New mouse find is 'living fossil'". BBC News. October 12, 2006. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  5. "Durham Research Fellow discovers new species of mammal in Europe". University of Durham. October 11, 2006. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  6. Nancy H. Demand (2011). The Mediterranean Context of Early Greek History. John Wiley & Sons. p. 40.


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