"Alias" - what is it, definition of the term
«Alias» is an alternative identifier that enables reference to an entity by a name different from its primary designation; in computing, it functions as a shortcut linking a concise label to a longer command, file path, or address, and in general usage it denotes a pseudonym employed to simplify or conceal the original name.
Detailed information
Alternative designations for the rodent species commonly referred to as rat and mouse serve to unify scientific communication, streamline regulatory documentation, and accommodate regional vernacular. In taxonomic literature, the brown rat is listed as «Rattus norvegicus», while the black rat appears as «Rattus rattus». The house mouse carries the designation «Mus musculus». Each scientific name may be accompanied by historical or colloquial synonyms that appear in research reports, pest‑control manuals, and cultural references.
Key taxonomic identifiers for these mammals include:
- Family: Muridae
- Order: Rodentia
- Class: Mammalia
Within the family, the genus Rattus comprises multiple species; the primary ones are identified above. The genus Mus contains several subspecies; the most prevalent in domestic settings is the house mouse.
Common alternative names observed across languages and industries:
- Rat: sewer pest, ship‑rat, Norway rat, brown rodent
- Black rat: roof rat, ship‑rat, tropical rat
- Mouse: field mouse, house mouse, laboratory mouse, grey mouse
Regional variations often replace scientific terms with local vernacular; for instance, «Norway rat» predominates in North America, whereas «sewer rat» is frequent in European urban reports. In laboratory environments, «Mus musculus» is routinely abbreviated to “lab mouse,” a shorthand that persists in protocol documents.
Standardized nomenclature databases, such as the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) and the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), prescribe the accepted scientific names and list recognized synonyms. Alignment with these resources prevents ambiguity in data exchange, regulatory filings, and cross‑disciplinary research.