Myopus schisticolor
TAXONOMY
Myopus schisticolor (Lilljeborg, 1844), Gulbrandsdal, Norway. Five subspecies are recognized.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
None known.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Head and body length 3.5–5.5 in (9–13.5 cm); weight 0.5–1.5 oz (20–45 g). Upperparts are dark grayish black with a reddish brown area along the center back. Underparts are paler.
DISTRIBUTION
From Scandinavia across to the Pacific coast of Russia.
HABITAT
Old coniferous forests.
BEHAVIOR
Mainly nocturnal, living in runs among deep forest litter and moss. Populations are known to be cyclic.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Mosses, lichens, and some grasses during the summer.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Sex ratio is chromosomally manipulated; only around 25% of the population is male. Females occur of three different genotypes, one of which only gives birth to female offspring. Litters of up to six young are produced every 25 days.
CONSERVATION STATUS
In 2002, considered by the IUCN to be Lower risk/Near Threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
