To which family does the mouse belong? - briefly
The mouse is classified in the family Muridae. Muridae represents the largest family within the order Rodentia, encompassing numerous species of mice, rats, and related rodents.
To which family does the mouse belong? - in detail
The mouse is classified within the order Rodentia and belongs to the family Muridae, the largest family of mammals. Within Muridae, mice are placed in the subfamily Murinae, which comprises the “true mice and rats” and related genera.
The taxonomic hierarchy for a typical house mouse (Mus musculus) is:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Muridae
- Subfamily: Murinae
- Genus: Mus
- Species: M. musculus
Key characteristics of Muridae include:
- Dental formula 1/1, 0/0, 0/0, 3/3, indicating a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each jaw.
- Small body size, typically 5–10 cm in head‑body length, with a relatively long tail.
- Highly adaptable diet, ranging from seeds and grains to insects and carrion.
- Broad geographic distribution, covering most continents except Antarctica.
Evolutionary studies show that the Muridae family diverged from other rodent lineages during the early Oligocene, roughly 30–35 million years ago. Molecular analyses place the Murinae subfamily as a monophyletic group, with Mus and Rattus representing two of its most speciose genera.
The family Muridae encompasses over 700 species, including common laboratory models (Mus musculus), agricultural pests, and wildlife species that serve as prey for numerous predators. Their ecological role is significant in seed dispersal, soil aeration, and as a food source within food webs.