Interspecific Relationships of House Mice and Their Role in Evolution of Mus musculus sensu lato Superspecies Complex
The role of interspecific relationships in evolution of commensal species of house mice is considered. Relationships of commensal species with other species of small mammals, closely relative species of house mice, and with human are analyzed. Relationships with human are the most important in evolution of commensal species. A hypothesis is proposed that after the appearance of human dwelling houses, mice were forced out from natural habitats by more competitive species of small mammals. The evolutionary period of Mus musculus and M. domesticus may be conventionally divided into two stages: before the appearance of human houses, development of agriculture and transition of mice to commensalism and after it, when the human activity became the main factor responsible for the evolution of commensal species of house mice.