Macedonian mouse

The Macedonian mouse is a small rodent, weighing 15 grams (0.53 oz).[4] Fur color is variable across its range; in a study of numerous specimens in Turkey, Macdeonian mice were found to have back colors ranging from dark brown to pale light brown to dark-reddish brown.[5] There is a distinct line of demarcation along the flanks that separates top and bottom coloration.[5] The bottom coloration ranged from whitish grey, pure white, yellowish white, and reddish white.[5] The ears have tiny white hairs.[5] This rodent has a tail that is dark brown on top and lighter on bottom.[5] The bottoms of the Macedonian mouse's feet are bare while the tops of their feet have white hairs.[5] Macedeonan mice are nocturnal.[4]

The sutura squamalis has distinction from other species because it is smoothed or protrudes slightly forward.[5] The upper portion of the zygomatic arch is also narrower than the lower portion.[5] Macedonian mice found in Israel are smaller than their northern counterparts.[2]

Body mass of Macedonian mice exposed to short photoperiods increased - essentially they got bigger to stay warmer when it is cold.[4] The short photoperiods also increased their resistance to cold while long photoperiods increased their ability to manage higher temperatures.[4] Food consumption and waste production are lower in the mice that have longer photoperiods.[4] These physiological changes allow the mice to be well adapted to the changes that occur in the Mediterranean on a seasonal basis.[4] This mouse also shows a genetic tendency for glial fibrillary acidic protein in their lens epithelial cells.[6] This is a new marker of polymorphism in the genus Mus.[6]

• Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. pp. 894–1531 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.