KEY TO EUROPEAN HOUSE MICE (MUS)

A simple morphological key is given for the diagnosis of five European taxa of the genus Mus, reflecting current knowledge based on results of numerous genetic studies carried out in last two decades. The key i s focused mostly on cranial and dental criteria. The use of such chara cteristics as the notched upper incisors and/or the typical mouse odou r cannot be recommended, as these traits characterise only some of the mouse taxa or vary among populations. Furthermore, owing to great var iation in the relative tail length and other external features, these should be only considered as subsidiary criteria or not be taken into account at all.