Cypriot mouse
| Cypriot mouse | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| 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 Cypriot mouse (Mus cypriacus) is a species of
Troödos Mountains region.[4]
The mouse was recognized as a new species in 2004 by
The Cypriot mouse has characteristics that distinguish it from other European mice: bigger
Mus macedonicus, native to southeastern Europe through the Levant.[8]
"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 Cucchi.[4] It Originally, Cucchi wanted to call it Mus Aphrodite, as Cyprus is the birthplace of Aphrodite according to Greek mythology.
It is the only endemic species of terrestrial mammal that was present on Cyprus during the Pleistocene to remain extant, with the three other species, the
Cyprus dwarf hippopotamus, the Cyprus dwarf elephant, and the Cyprus genet becoming extinct at the end of the Pleistocene around 12-11,000 years ago, following the arrival of humans to the islands.[9]
References
- . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- .
- . Retrieved 7 August 2016.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ "New mouse find is 'living fossil'". BBC News. October 12, 2006. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
- University of Durham. October 11, 2006. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
- ISBN 9781444342345.
- PMID 21569527.
- S2CID 199107354.