What is a red mouse with a stripe on its back? - briefly
It describes a mouse with a reddish coat and a single longitudinal stripe running along the dorsal surface, a phenotype found in several laboratory strains. These individuals are commonly referred to as red‑striped or red‑back mice and serve as model organisms in genetic research.
What is a red mouse with a stripe on its back? - in detail
The animal described is a small rodent exhibiting a vivid reddish pelage combined with a longitudinal darker band along the spine. This coloration pattern results from a specific genetic mutation affecting melanin distribution. In laboratory strains, the mutation is often designated as “red coat” (rc) and may be linked to a separate allele responsible for the dorsal stripe, producing a phenotype frequently used in experimental genetics.
Key characteristics include:
- Size: body length 6–9 cm, tail length comparable to or slightly longer than the body.
- Coat: overall red hue ranging from orange‑red to deep rust; the stripe appears as a darker brown or black line extending from the neck to the base of the tail.
- Ears: proportionally large, pinkish due to reduced pigmentation.
- Eyes: dark, providing contrast against the light facial fur.
Habitat and distribution:
- Wild populations: rare, reported in isolated pockets of temperate forests where selective pressure favors cryptic coloration.
- Laboratory colonies: maintained worldwide for studies of coat‑color genetics, behavior, and disease models.
Behavioral traits:
- Nocturnal activity, with foraging focused on seeds, insects, and plant material.
- Social structure typically solitary or in small family groups, consistent with standard murine species.
Reproductive aspects:
- Gestation period approximately 19–21 days.
- Litter size averages 5–8 pups, each bearing the distinctive coat pattern from birth.
Health considerations:
- The rc allele may be associated with increased susceptibility to skin lesions due to reduced melanin protection.
- Monitoring of coat integrity is essential in breeding programs to prevent secondary infections.
Overall, the red‑colored mouse with a dorsal stripe represents a distinct phenotypic variant valuable for both ecological observation and biomedical research, characterized by its unique pigmentation, standard murine morphology, and well‑documented genetic background.