Mus musculus
Mus musculus
Mus musculus (pronunciation: /mʌs ˈmʌskjʊləs/), commonly known as the house mouse, is a small mammal of the order Rodentia, and the best known species of the genus Mus.
Etymology
The term "Mus" is Latin for 'mouse', and "musculus" is a diminutive form, meaning 'little mouse'. The term was first used in scientific nomenclature by Carl Linnaeus in his 10th edition of Systema Naturae in 1758.
Description
The house mouse has a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse. It is also a popular pet. In some places, certain kinds of field mice are also common. They are known to invade homes for food and shelter.
Distribution and habitat
Mus musculus is native to Eurasia but has been introduced to other parts of the world. It is found in nearly all parts of the world and in a variety of habitats, including man-made environments.
Related terms
- Rodentia: The order of mammals that Mus musculus belongs to.
- Mammal: A warm-blooded vertebrate animal of a class that is distinguished by the possession of hair or fur, the secretion of milk by females for the nourishment of the young, and (typically) the birth of live young.
- Genus: A rank in the biological classification (taxonomy) that groups closely related species together. In this case, Mus is the genus that groups together closely related species of mice.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mus musculus
- Wikipedia's article - Mus musculus
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