Deer Mice Flashcards
What are the two commonly used deer mice in research? Where does their common name come from?
Peromyscus maniculatus, the prairie deer mouse, and P. leucopus, the white-footed mouse. Common name comes from the animals’ agility at jumping and running in comparison with house mice.
Where are Peromyscus maniculatus found?
Southeastern Alaska throughout Canada and US to Mexico. Two morphological and behavioral forms exist in New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, but occupy different ecologic niches. Not regularly found in moist environments.
Are P. maniculatus social?
Population density of 1-25 individuals per hectare. Live in nests of leaves. Considered social.
Are P. leucopus social?
Live in population densities of 5-39/hectare. Males and females pair bond, with females excluding other females from their home ranges.
Generally, what are Peromyscus used for in research?
Genetics, physiology, aging, cataracts, and behavior.
Peromyscus californicus is genetically susceptible to what condition?
Heritable hyperlipidemia, induced by a high fat diet
Peromyscus are the principal vector for what agents?
North American hantaviruses, including Sin Nombre virus
Peromyscus are a significant host for what parasite? What zoonotic disease can this parasite carry?
Ixodes scapularis, the deer tick. Borrelia burgdorferi
What other zoonotic agents can deer ticks carry?
Borrelia, Babesia microti, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum
Where is the Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center?
University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC
How often do Paramyscus molt?
Once a year
When are Paramyscus active?
Primarily nocturnal, but may be active throughout the day.
How do Peromyscus conserve water?
Urine volume reduction
What is the dental formula of Peromyscus?
I 1/1, C 0/0, PM 2/1, M 3/3
When is the breeding season for Peromyscus?
P. maniculatus: March to October in northern portions of its rants
P. leucopus: Seasonal in north, year round in Mexico.
Both year round in lab conditions.
Describe estrous in Peromyscus.
P. maniculatus: Polyestrous, produce 3-4 litters per year
P. leucopus: 6-day estrous cycle with spontaneous ovulation and a postpartum estrus.
Describe gestation and litter size in Peromyscus.
22-23 day gestation with average litter size of 5
How does the presence of males impact reproduction in Peromyscus?
Does not accelerate the onset of puberty, nor induce estrous cycle synchrony in females, but is critical for cycle regularity. When males and females housed as pre-weanlings, show delayed reproduction as adults.
How are Peromyscus typically housed in the lab?
Breeding pairs in plastic solid-bottom cages. Separation of male after parturition only required occasionally. Maintained on 16:8h light:dark. Fed commercially available rodent chow.
What zoonotic agents might Peromyscus introduce?
Hantavirus, Borrelia, leptospirosis, Hymenolepis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, chlamydiosis, Q-fever, Western and Venezuelan equine encephalitis, sylvatic plague, and coccidiomycosis.
What ‘traditional’ lab rodent disease is associated with high mortality in Peromyscus?
Tyzzer’s (Clostridium piliforme)
