Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 18, 2026

Fringe-eared Mindoro forest mouse

The fringe-eared Mindoro forest mouse or long-haired Mindoro forest mouse is a species of rodent in the family Muridae, from the genus Apomys, in the subgenus Megapomys. It is found only in the island of Mindoro in the Philippines where was found at elevations between 140 and 880 m above sea level. Its natural habitat is deciduous karst forests. The species is characterized by its brown fur at the back, with bellies that are cream-colored, a mask of dark-color fur in the face, and tufts or fringe of conspicuous white hairs behind the ear. It has a head–body length of 128 mm. Generally, males weigh more than females. The conservation status of the species is not evaluated.

Last revised
Jun 18, 2026
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Length
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Fringe-eared Mindoro forest mouse
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Placentalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Muridae
Genus: Apomys
Species:
A. crinitus
Binomial name
Apomys crinitus
Heaney, Balete, M. R. M. Duya, M. V. Duya, Kyriazis, Rickart, Steppan, & Rowsey, 20251

The fringe-eared Mindoro forest mouse or long-haired Mindoro forest mouse (Apomys crinitus) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae, from the genus Apomys, in the subgenus Megapomys.1 It is found only in the island of Mindoro in the Philippines where was found at elevations between 140 and 880 m above sea level.2 Its natural habitat is deciduous karst forests.2 The species is characterized by its brown fur at the back, with bellies that are cream-colored, a mask of dark-color fur in the face, and tufts or fringe of conspicuous white hairs behind the ear.32 It has a head–body length of 128 mm.2 Generally, males (54–80 g) weigh more than females (60 g).2 The conservation status of the species is not evaluated.1

Distribution

The species is known only from Mindoro Island, at Mts. Talullah and Mangibok, in the Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park.32

Etymology

The specific epithet was derived from Latin crinitus which means long-haired, in reference to its characteristic fringe of white hair behind each ear.3

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Heaney, L. R.; Balete, D. S.; Duya, M. R. M.; Duya, M. V.; Kyriazis, C. C.; Rickart, E. A.; Steppan, S. J.; Rowsey, D. (2025). "Apomys crinitus (Fringe-eared Mindoro Forest Mouse)". Mammal Diversity Database. American Society of Mammalogists. Retrieved 5 January 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Heaney, L. R.; Balete, D. S.; Duya, M. R. M.; Duya, M. V.; Kyriazis, C. C.; Rickart, E. A.; Steppan, S. J.; Rowsey, D. M. (2025). "Three new species of Philippine forest mice (Apomys, Muridae, Mammalia), members of a clade endemic to Mindoro Island". Zootaxa. 5647 (1): 1–26. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5647.1.1.
  3. Constantino, Rio (13 June 2025). "Small bodies, big histories: Three new species of Philippine forest mice". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 5 January 2026.