The non-mutant (wild-type)P. maniculatus is the most common of the Peromyscus species. It is the largest of the species groups having 61 subspecies that range over a large geographic area and a variety of habitats. Their appearance and habits vary due to the large distribution. In the eastern US, two major forms exist. The woodland form of the northeast has a longer tail, ears, and hindfoot than the more western prairie form. Particular differences have spawned controversy over whether or not they are distinctly different species. But for the purpose of this description, they shall be treated as variants of the same species.

Pelage: Color of P. maniculatus varies from grayish to reddish-brown dorsally and varies widely depending on habitat and location. The feet and underside are white. The tail is shorthaired and distinctly bicolored, dark above and white below. Size: P. maniculatus is a medium size rodent but exact average size depends on which form is being examined. Weight: Adult weights range from 10 30 g. Measurements: Adult measurements (in mm.). Total length, 106-222; tail, 46-123; hindfoot, 14-25; ears, 12-21. These measurements cover the entire range ofP. maniculatus sub-species although some subspecies fall within much smaller ranges of measurements.

The MMRRC Centers have developed a genetic QC pipeline using MiniMUGA array genotyping to provide additional information on strain backgrounds for MMRRC congenic and inbred strains. For more information on when data may be available, or to request genotyping for a strain of interest, please contact mmrrc@missouri.edu. Older strains may not have this information.

Michael Felder, The Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center, University of South Carolina.