Cypriot mouse
The Cypriot mouse (Mus cypriacus) is a species of mouse endemic to Cyprus. Its primary habitat seems to be the vineyards and fields of the Troödos Mountains region.[2]
| Cypriot mouse | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | 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,[3] in Zootaxa.[2]
The Cypriot mouse has characteristics that distinguish it from other European mice: bigger ears, eyes and teeth;[4] DNA tests confirmed that it was a distinct species.
"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.[5] Originally, Dr. Cucchi wanted to call it Mus aphrodite, as Cyprus is the birthplace of Aphrodite according to Greek mythology.
References
- 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.
- North County Times: 'Living fossil' mouse found on Cyprus, a rare discovery for Europe Archived 2012-09-05 at Archive.today 13 October 2006
- BBC News - New mouse find is 'living fossil' 12 October 2006
- Durham News - Durham Research Fellow discovers new species of mammal in Europe 12 October 2006
- Wagner, Thomas (October 13, 2006). "'Living fossil' mouse found on Cyprus". North County Times. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved 2009-10-11.]