What is the genus of a mouse? - briefly
The genus of a mouse is Mus, the same genus that includes the common house mouse (Mus musculus).
What is the genus of a mouse? - in detail
The common house mouse belongs to the genus Mus, a group within the family Muridae. Mus is the type genus of the subfamily Murinae and includes several species that share morphological traits such as a compact body, pointed snout, and a tail roughly equal to body length. The most widely studied species is Mus musculus, the laboratory mouse, which serves as a primary model organism in genetics, physiology, and biomedical research.
Key characteristics of the genus Mus:
- Small size (typically 6–10 cm body length)
- Fur coloration ranging from gray to brown, often with a lighter underside
- Dental formula 1/1, incisors that grow continuously
- High reproductive rate, with gestation of about 19–21 days
Representative species besides M. musculus include:
- Mus spretus – Algerian mouse, native to the western Mediterranean
- Mus spicilegus – mound-building mouse, found in southeastern Europe
- Mus minutoides – African pygmy mouse, one of the smallest mammals
- Mus caroli – Ryukyu mouse, distributed in East Asia
Phylogenetically, Mus is closely related to other murine genera such as Rattus (rats) and Apodemus (field mice). Molecular analyses based on mitochondrial DNA and nuclear genes place Mus within the Mus clade, which diverged from its sister groups approximately 10–12 million years ago.
The genus name derives from the Latin word “mus,” meaning “mouse.” Historically, Linnaeus assigned the house mouse to Mus musculus in his 1758 Systema Naturae, establishing the binomial nomenclature still in use.
Geographically, Mus species occupy a broad range across Europe, Asia, Africa, and introduced populations worldwide. Habitat preferences include human dwellings, fields, and forest edges, reflecting the genus’s adaptability to diverse environments.
In scientific literature, Mus serves as a reference point for comparative studies of rodent morphology, behavior, and disease models. Its well‑characterized genome, with over 20,000 protein‑coding genes, facilitates translational research and the development of therapeutic interventions.