The Western House Mouse
Mus musculus domesticus
House mice (Mus musculus) originated in the area of the Iranian plateau as far as northern India. The species originated there about 500,000 years ago.
Following human settlement, the house mouse came to Europe and Asia by different routes. By adapting to the different environments, three subspecies have evolved over the last millennia: the western, the eastern and the Asian house mouse. The western house mouse has lived near humans for about 11,000 years and had to be able to adapt constantly and quickly to changing environments. Here are examples of three populations of the western house mouse.

Origin of the western domestic mouse.
© MPI for Evolutionary Biology
Western House Mouse
Mus musculus domesticus
Gender: female
Origin: Germany
Gender: female
Origin: Germany

The spectogram of the western house mouse from Germany.
© MPI for Evolutionary Biologie
Western House Mouse
Mus musculus domesticus
Gender: female
Origin: France
Gender: female
Origin: France

The spectogram of the western house mouse from France.
© MPI for Evolutionary Biologie
Western House Mouse
Mus musculus domesticus
Gender: male
Origin: Iran
Gender: male
Origin: Iran

The spectogram of the western house mouse from Iran.
© MPI for Evolutionary Biologie