How many species of mice are there in the world? - briefly
Approximately 30 recognized species belong to the true mouse genus «Mus», while inclusion of related genera such as «Apodemus», «Peromyscus», and others raises the global count to roughly 70 distinct mouse species.
How many species of mice are there in the world? - in detail
The order Rodentia contains the family Muridae, the most diverse group of mammals. Within Muridae, the subfamily Murinae comprises true mice and their close relatives. Taxonomic surveys published up to 2023 list approximately 1 200 species classified as mice, including members of the genera Mus, Apodemus, Peromyscus, Rattus (when treated as mouse‑like), Micromys, Acomys and several lesser‑known lineages.
Key points:
- Core genus Mus – about 40 species, ranging from the common house mouse (Mus musculus) to forest‑dwelling species in Southeast Asia.
- Apodemus – roughly 20 species, primarily distributed across Europe and temperate Asia.
- Peromyscus – around 60 species, native to North America and Central America.
- Micromys – a single widely recognized species (Micromys minutus), with several subspecies.
- Acomys – approximately 30 species, often called spiny mice, inhabiting Africa and the Middle East.
- Other murine genera – collectively contribute the remaining species, many described from isolated mountain ranges in the Himalayas, New Guinea and the Andes.
Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have prompted revisions that split several formerly broad species complexes into multiple distinct taxa. For example, the Mus musculus complex now includes at least three recognized subspecies that some authors treat as separate species. Similarly, cryptic diversity in Peromyscus has increased the count by roughly 15 new species since 2015.
Geographic distribution is global, with mouse species present on every continent except Antarctica. Tropical regions host the highest diversity, especially in Southeast Asia, the Indo‑Australian archipelago and the Neotropics. Temperate zones maintain moderate richness, while arid and high‑altitude habitats support specialized forms such as spiny mice and alpine Apodemus.
In summary, current consensus estimates the worldwide total of mouse species at approximately 1 200, acknowledging that ongoing taxonomic research may adjust this figure as cryptic lineages are uncovered and classification standards evolve. «The number of recognized mouse species is therefore a dynamic metric, reflecting both biological diversity and advances in systematic methodology».