The Cypriot mouse has characteristics that distinguish it from other European mice: bigger
ears,
eyes and
teeth;[6] DNA tests confirmed that it was a distinct species.[7] Its closest relative is Mus macedonicus, native to southeastern Europe through the Levant.[8]
"All other endemic mammals of Mediterranean islands died out following the arrival of man, with the exception of two species of
shrew. The new mouse of Cyprus is the only endemic rodent still alive, and as such can be considered as a
living fossil," said Cucchi.[4] It Originally, Cucchi wanted to call it Mus Aphrodite, as Cyprus is the birthplace of
Aphrodite according to
Greek mythology.
It is the only endemic species of terrestrial mammal that was present on Cyprus during the Pleistocene to remain extant, with the three other species, the
Cyprus dwarf hippopotamus, the
Cyprus dwarf elephant, and the
Cyprus genet becoming extinct at the end of the Pleistocene around 12-11,000 years ago, following the arrival of humans to the islands.[9]
^Cucchi, T.; Orth, A.; Auffray, J.-C.; Renaud, S.; Fabre, L.; Catalan, J.; Hadjisterkotis, E.; Bonhomme, F.; Vigne, J.-D. (23 June 2006). "A new endemic species of the subgenus Mus (Rodentia, Mammalia) on the Island of Cyprus". Zootaxa. 1241. Magnolia Press: 1–36.
doi:
10.5281/zenodo.172873.