Zapus

Zapus is a genus of North American jumping mice. It is the only genus whose members have the tooth formula I 1/1, C 0/0, P 1/0, M 3/3 = 18. Zapus are the only extant mammals with a total of 18 teeth (Schwartz and Schwartz, 1997).

Taxonomy

The genus contains three species:

Zapus hudsonius (Meadow jumping mouse)
Zapus hudsonius acadicus
Zapus hudsonius adamsi
Zapus hudsonius alascensis
Zapus hudsonius americanus
Zapus hudsonius campestris
Zapus hudsonius canadensis
Zapus hudsonius hudsonius
Zapus hudsonius preblei
Zapus hudsonius transitionalis
Zapus princeps (Western jumping mouse)
Zapus princeps chysogenys
Zapus princeps cinereus
Zapus princeps curtatus
Zapus princeps idahoensis
Zapus princeps kootenayensis
Zapus princeps minor
Zapus princeps oregonus
Zapus princeps pacificus
Zapus princeps princeps
Zapus princeps saltator
Zapus princeps utahensis
Zapus trinotatus (Pacific Jumping Mouse)
Zapus trinotatus eureka
Zapus trinotatus montanus
Zapus trinotatus orarius (Pt. Reyes Jumping Mouse?)
Zapus trinotatus trinotatus

This genus was first separated from Old World jerboas by Coues in 1875. Members of this genus are very similar in appearance, all species having long tails, long hind feet and yellowish-brown pelage above and white below, the colors distinctly separated by a yellowish-orange lateral line.

Translation

The word "Zapus" occurs as such in the following languages: English, French, Portuguese.

Translation(s) in other languages: German: Echte Hüpfmäuse, Chinese: 美洲林跳鼠屬.