Dryomys | |
---|---|
Dryomys nitedula | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Family: | Gliridae |
Subfamily: | Leithiinae |
Genus: | Dryomys Thomas, 1905 |
Type species | |
Mus nitedula Pallas, 1778 |
Dryomys is a genus of dormouse. [1] Collectively the members of the genus are referred to as forest dormice, although the type species also goes by the common name forest dormouse.
The species within the genus Dryomys are:
A dormouse is a rodent of the family Gliridae. Dormice are nocturnal animals found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. They are named for their long, dormant hibernation period of six months or longer.
The Chinese pygmy dormouse, is a species of rodent of the family Platacanthomyidae found in China and Vietnam.
The woolly dormouse is a species of rodent in the family Gliridae endemic to Turkey.
The Balochistan forest dormouse is a species of rodent in the family Gliridae. It is native to Pakistan.
Leithiinae is a subfamily of dormice. It is named after the Leithia, an extinct genus of giant dormouse from the Pleistocene of Sicily.
The forest dormouse is a species of rodent in the family Gliridae found in eastern Europe, the Balkans and parts of western Central Asia. It is categorized as being of least concern in the IUCN List of Threatened Species due to its wide range and stable population trend. Forest dormice have a diploid count (2n) of 48 chromosomes. Even though this species lives in a variety of geographic locations, its greatest population density is in the forests of central Moldova, in Transcaucasia, and in the mountains of Central Asia. In most other locations, population density of this species is rather low. Population density is dependent on many factors. But the main features that this species depends on for choosing a location are the presence of the appropriate food sources as well as good foliage that can be used for a habitat. The reason why the forests in central Moldova have the highest population density is they provide the largest diversity of food sources which are available throughout the year. This location also provides the best type of foliage for the forest dormice to build their nests as well as swing from branches. The combination of both of these aspects allows for this species to have its highest needs met. Therefore, during mating season they produce offspring who also stay in the same general area when they mature. It makes sense not to move from an area if it is providing for your most basic needs.