American and Filipino biologists discovered 7 New Species of Mice in Luzon

Research by a group of American and Filipino biologists resulted in the discovery of seven previously unknown species of mammals in the Philippines. The number of native mammals known from Luzon Island (excluding bats) rose from 42 to 49 (17 per cent) following the discovery.

All of the species are forest mice, and each species lives only in a small part of Luzon. The formal descriptions of the seven species, all of which are members of the genus Apomys, were published on 20 May in Fieldiana, the peer-reviewed journal of The Field Museum.

These mice actively avoid humans and rarely cause any harm. They prefer to eat earthworms and seeds on the forest floor. These animals are part of the rich biological heritage of the Philippines.
Observations of each mouse's morphology as well as genetics suggest the seven newbies are part of a new subgenus called Megapomys, which is part of the genus Apomys. These mice are relatively large, weighing less than a half pound and sporting tails that are as long as, or slightly shorter, than the length of the animal's body and head.

Two of the newly found species live on Mount Tapulao in the Zambales Mountains, two live on Mount Banahaw, an active volcano in the Philippines, while another two species reside in the Mingan mountains of the Aurora Province and another species in the Sierra Madre mountain range of northeastern Luzon.