Mus musculus

History of Spread

Mus musculus (House Mouse) is probably native to central Asia, and possibly the Mediterranean. It was introduced to Britain in Roman times (Lever 1985). The actual dates of introduction of M. musculus to North America and Chesapeake Bay are unknown, but it is assumed to have become established soon after European settlement. One book gives the date as 'probably during the years of the American revolution' (Webster et al. 1985), while another indicates that they were introduced to Canada around 1820 (Lever 1985). Mus musculus are widespread indoors in North America, and throughout the world, but are also found in the wild, especially on islands where other rodent competitors may be scarce (Berry 1991). Feral M. musculus have been collected throughout MD and VA (Bailey 1946; Paradiso 1969).

The date of Mus musculus' appearance in the Chesapeake Bay watershed is unknown. William H. Fisher, writing in 1895, mentioned a black specimen caught in Baltimore in 1881 (Lee 1988). Mus musculus populations probably occur on shorelines and marshes throughout the Chesapeake Bay region, but have been best studied on the Atlantic barrier islands (Assateague-Hog Islands, MD-Va), where they occurred in all habitats, including dunes and salt marshes (Paradiso and Handley 1965; Paradiso 1969; Dueser et al. 1986; Cranford and Maly 1990; Kirkland and Fleming 1990; Scott and Davidson 1992). Paradiso (1969) records several collections from MD Chesapeake Bay shore locations in Calvert County (Drum Point, Scientists Cliffs, Solomons Island, Plum Point), Charles County (Nanjemoy Creek), and Queen Annes County (Parson Island).

History References- Cranford and Maly 1990; Dueser et al. 1986; Kirkland and Fleming 1990; Lee 1988; Lever 1985; Paradiso and Handley 1965; Paradiso 1969; Scott and Davidson 1992; Webster et al. 1985

Invasion Comments