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Home -> Kingdom Animalia -> Phylum Chordata -> Subphylum Vertebrata -> Class Mammalia -> Order Rodentia -> Suborder Myomorpha -> Family Muridae -> Subfamily Murinae -> Species Apodemus agrarius

Apodemus agrarius
striped field mouse



2009/01/04 02:15:50.244 US/Eastern

By Nancy Shefferly

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Suborder: Myomorpha
Family: Muridae
Subfamily: Murinae
Genus: Apodemus
Species: Apodemus agrarius

Geographic Range

Apodemus agrarius is found in Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Southern Siberia, Manchuria, Korea, Southeastern China and Taiwan.

Biogeographic Regions:
palearctic (native ); oriental (native ).

Habitat

Black-striped field mice are commonly found in grassy fields, cultivated areas, rice paddies, woodlands and forests.

Terrestrial Biomes:
savanna or grassland ; forest .

Physical Description

Mass
21.50 g (average)
(0.76 oz)
[External Source: AnAge]


Basal Metabolic Rate


The dorsum of these mice is yellow-brown with a prominant black, mid-dorsal stripe. The total length of these animals ranges from 94mm to 116mm, of which 19mm to 21mm are tail. Females have eight nipples.

Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .

Reproduction

Gestation period
22 days (average)
[External Source: AnAge]


Birth Mass
1.90 g (average)
(0.07 oz)
[External Source: AnAge]


Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
76 days (average)
[External Source: AnAge]


Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
76 days (average)
[External Source: AnAge]


Mice of this species are capable of breeding throughout the year. Females can produce up to six litters, each of up to six young, annually.

Key reproductive features:
gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual .

Behavior

The black-striped field mouse is an agile leaper and swimmer. They dig burrows that they inhabit during the nighttime hours. Most individuals live their entire lives and die within 180 meters of their birthplace.

Key behaviors:
motile .

Food Habits

These mice are very adaptable in their dietary habits. They eat roots, grains, seeds, berries nuts and insects.

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

These mice frequently cause damage to crops or raid food stores. They are also potential carriers of hemorragic fever.

Contributors

Nancy Shefferly (author), Animal Diversity Web Staff.

References

Corbet, G.B. and J.E. Hill. 1992. Mammals of the Indomalayan Region. Oxford University Press.

Nowak, R.M. and J.L. Paradiso. 1983. Wlaker's Mammals of the World, Fourth edition. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, London.

2009/01/04 02:15:51.850 US/Eastern

To cite this page: Shefferly, N. 1999. "Apodemus agrarius" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed January 07, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Apodemus_agrarius.html.

Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

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