Alpine field mouse

The Alps wood mouse ( Apodemus alpicola ) is a species in the genus wood mice in the family of long-tailed mice ( Muridae ) that is found in the European Alps. It was originally known as alpine subspecies of the yellow-necked mouse ( Apodemus flavicollis ) and has only described species status since 1989. The Alps wood mouse is classified by the IUCN as endangered not (Least Concern ).

Taxonomy

The Alpine forest mouse was recognized in 1989 as an independent species based on morphological differences. Various molecular biological studies of the following years confirmed this taxonomy. Then the Ural wood mouse ( Apodemus uralensis) is probably the closest relative of the Alps wood mouse. Both species and the yellow-necked mouse and the steppe wood mouse ( Apodemus witherbyi ) have probably evolved from a common ancestor.

Features

The head -body length is between 9 and 12 cm, and the tail length between 10 and 12 cm. The weight varies 20 to 38 g The Alps wood mouse is brown on the back and outer sides of the limbs, with the uppermost regions are darkest. The belly and the inside of the limbs are dark - gray to white. At the throat is often the case, a yellowish stain. Morphological differences to the yellow-necked mouse, there are only details in the skull structure. The hind feet are quite large at about 2.5 cm length for a wood mouse. This and the long tail help the animal climbing in the rocky terrain.

Dissemination

The distribution area extends over almost the entire Alps from the south-western France on the southern and southeastern Switzerland Germany to northern Italy and central Austria. The type achieved in these regions 2,100 meters above the sea. Their habitat is forests or other tree stands, which are interrupted by areas of grass or rocky places.

Way of life

The Alps wood mouse is similar in behavior mainly the other species of the genus. Only in the case of food choice, there are striking differences. In the spring she starts preferably insects, while the food in the summer and autumn mainly consists of seeds from small, herbaceous plants.