RODENTS OF LIBYA 203 



frugivorus, may be similar to the well-known color phases of the black 

 bear, red fox, and the gray and fox squirrels. 



No differences have been observed in the habits, movements, and 

 survival differential of R. r. rattus and R. r. alexandrinus, although 

 R. r. frugivorus has been considered by some to represent a "wild form" 

 which frequently occurs in the feral state in fields and agricultural 

 areas. In many cities and villages of Europe, North America, and 

 North Africa, all three of these color types occur together. 



In my opinion, the recognition of rattus, alexandrinus, and frugivorus 

 as subspecies of R. rattus is of doubtful utility, and I prefer to regard 

 these so-called subspecies as merely color phases or phenotypic 

 variants within this widely ranging species. 



If one subscribes to the older system of applying subspecific names 

 to the commensal rats of Europe and North Africa, the four specimens 

 from Cyrenaica clearly represent R. r. frugivorus. 



The four specimens from Cyrenaica were trapped in the lush 

 vegetation bordering small permanent streams. The collecting site 

 near Gubba is located in a deep canyon of the coastal escarpment and 

 several kilometers from the nearest human habitation, whereas the 

 specimens from near Apollonia were taken from an elevated portion of 

 the coastal plain in traps set only a few hundred meters distant from 

 human dwellings. These specimens from Cyrenaica constitute the 

 first records of R. rattus occurring in the wild state in Libya. They are 

 unknown from the oases of the interior. 



Genus Mus Linnaeus 



Mus musculus Linnaeus 



Mus musculus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., 10th ed., vol. 1, p. 62, 1758 (Upsala, Sweden). 



General distribution of species. Cosmopolitan as a result of 

 introduction by man. 



Distribution in Libya. Occurs as a commensal with man in the 

 larger coastal cities and villages of the interior and is quite widely 

 distributed in the wild state. 



Specimens examined. One hundred fifty-eight, from Cyrenaica: 

 27 km E Apollonia, 11; 11 km SW Susa (= Apollonia), 3; 5 km NW 

 Labrag, 6; 12 km NW Gubba, 2; Cyrene, 1; 3 km E Derna, 2; 35 

 km W Messa, 1; 10 km SW El Faidia, 3; 7 km E Maraua, 1; 5 km 

 W Tocra, 49 (1 skin only); 20 kin SW Tocra, 3; Giarabub, 2; El 

 Hauuari, Cufra Oasis, 1 ; El Giof, Cufra Oasis, 12; from Tripolitania: 

 5 km W Cussabat, 3; 12 km S Chicla, 2; 7 km S El Gheddahia, 1; 

 20 km E Sirte, 1 (skin only); from Fezzan: Brach, 37 (10 skull only); 

 Sebha, 1 ; Goddua, 11 (7 skull only, 2 skin only) ; Meseguin, 2; Traghen, 

 1; 28 km E Murzuch, 1; Murzuch, 1. 



