The Cypriot mouse, Mus cypriacus, is a small rodent that lives only on the island of Cyprus. It was recognised as a new species in 2004 by Thomas Cucchi, then a research fellow at Durham University, and was formally described in 2006 in the journal Zootaxa. Compared with other European mice it has bigger ears, eyes and teeth, and DNA tests confirmed that it is a distinct species. Its closest relative is Mus macedonicus, which ranges from southeastern Europe through the Levant. Its main habitat appears to be the vineyards and fields of the Troodos Mountains region, and genetic work suggests it occupies varied settings across more than 80 percent of the island, mostly farmland, semi-natural forest and places with some human influence. It is the only endemic terrestrial mammal present on Cyprus in the Pleistocene that is still alive, and the IUCN assesses it as Least Concern.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend ThreatsResidential and Commercial Development 1 ThreatsInvasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes and Diseases 1 Living or Extinct Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Cypriot mouse (Wikipedia)
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Source Cypriot mouse (Wikipedia)LeadQuote, Lead
endemic to Cyprus
Sources
1. Cypriot mouse (Wikipedia)
Population genetics
Although currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN
Population genetics, population trend
reinforcing the impression of a stable population
Population genetics, threats
ongoing habitat destruction due to urban development
Population genetics, competition
competition with introduced species such as domestic house mice
Taxonomy
The new mouse of Cyprus is the only endemic rodent still alive
Lead
endemic to Cyprus
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