Which common name corresponds to the scientific name Mus musculus?

Which common name corresponds to the scientific name Mus musculus?

• A. Mouse
• B. Rat
• C. Gerbil
• D. Hamster

Answer: (A)

In taxonomy, a two-part Latin name identifies the species, and that name maps directly to the common name. Mus musculus designates the house mouse—the genus Mus is the true mice, and musculus is the species name, so the familiar common name is mouse. This differs from rats (genus Rattus), gerbils (various genera like Meriones), and hamsters (such as Mesocricetus). So the common name that matches Mus musculus is mouse. In research, these are the standard laboratory mice, prized for their small size, rapid breeding, and well-mapped genome.

In taxonomy, a two-part Latin name identifies the species, and that name maps directly to the common name. Mus musculus designates the house mouse—the genus Mus is the true mice, and musculus is the species name, so the familiar common name is mouse. This differs from rats (genus Rattus), gerbils (various genera like Meriones), and hamsters (such as Mesocricetus). So the common name that matches Mus musculus is mouse. In research, these are the standard laboratory mice, prized for their small size, rapid breeding, and well-mapped genome.