Western Mediterranean Mouse

discussion

Discussion: Subgenus Mus. See J. T. Marshall, Jr. (1998) for identification of synonyms. Throughout its range, M. spretus is sympatric but not syntopic with M. musculus domesticus (Boursot et al., 1993; Mitchell-Jones et al., 1999). The species has been the subject of various inquiries covering biometrical and morphological analyses (Darviche and Orsini, 1982; Engels, 1980, 1983 b; Gerasimov et al., 1990; Palomo, 1988; Palomo et al., 1983; Vargas, et al., 1984); chromosomal and electrophoretic studies (Cano et al., 1984; Engels, 1983 a; Matsuda and Chapman, 1992; Traut et al., 1992); distribution of the p 53 pseudogene as another molecular trait distinguishing M. spretus from M. spicilegus and M. musculus (Ohtsuka et al., 1996); phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial D-loop sequences to also distinguish M. spretus from M. spicilegus and M. musculus (Flegr et al., 1994); variability in mtDNA that revealed two genetically distinct phylogenetic groups within M. spretus (Boursot, et al., 1985); contrasts between M. spretus and M. musculus (domesticus) using DNA sequence of LINE- 1 elements (Casavant and Hardies, 1994); phylogenetic relationships assessed by sequences from several diffe

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

distribution

Distribution: Natural grasslands and agricultural fields in Western Mediterranean climatic zone of W Europe (S France, Spain, Portugal, Balearic Isls; Mitchell-Jones et al., 1999: 291) and North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya); see J. T. Marshall, Jr. (1981; 1998) and Macholán (1996 a).

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

materials_examined

Type Locality: Algeria, Oued Magra, between M'sila and Barika, north of Hodna.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

discussion

COMMENTS: Subgenus Mus. This species was the subject of biometrical and morphological analyses (Darviche and Orsini, 1982; Engels, 1980, 1983 b; Gerasimov et al., 1990; Palomo, 1988; Palomo et al., 1983; Vargas, et al., 1984), as well as chromosomal and electrophoretic studies (Cano et al., 1984; Engels, 1983 «; Matsuda and Chapman, 1992; Traut et al., 1992). Analysis of variability in mitochrondrial DNA revealed two genetically distinct phylogenetic groups within spretus (Boursot, et al., 1985). Differences between M. spretus and M. musculus in thermoregulatory capabilities reported by Górecki et al. (1990). Alcover et al. (1985) described parvus as a subspecies of M. spretus.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae