Comparison between the Medullary Indexes of Hairs from Apodemus orestes and A.draco,with Discussion about the Taxonomic Status of A.orestes

The taxonomic status of longtailed field mouse (Apodemus orestes) is still uncertain up to now.Some scholars regarded it as a subspecies or a synonym of dragon field mouse (A.draco),while other scholars considered it a valid species.In the study,five specimens of adult long-tailed field mouse,dragon field mouse and Chevriers field mouse (A.chevrieri) (as a contrast) were chosen respectively.After treated,with the eyepiece micrometer in the inverted microscope,we made measurements of the widths of hairs and medullas and then calculated the medullary indexes of straight guard hairs from around the mouth,head,back,abdomen and forelimb of each species.The results indicate that,viewing at each of the five parts and the mixture of the five parts,there are no significant differences between A.orestes and A.draco,Significant differences can be found between A.orestes & A.chevrieri and A.draco & A.chevrieri though.The standpoint that A.orestes was listed as a valid species is not supported by this study.