Small Mindoro forest mouse

Small Mindoro forest mouse
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Muridae
Genus:	Apomys
Species:	A. minor
Binomial name
Apomys minor Heaney, Balete, M. R. M. Duya, M. V. Duya, Kyriazis, Rickart, Steppan, & Rowsey, 2025 [1]

The small Mindoro forest mouse (Apomys minor) 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 300 and 1,280 m above sea level. ^[2] Its natural habitat secondary lowland forest with an open canopy. ^[2] The species is characterized by its small size, brown fur at the back, and bellies that are pale brown. ^[3] It has a head–body length of 122 mm. ^[2] Males (57–65 g) and females (57–66 g) weigh roughly the same. ^[2] The conservation status of the species is not evaluated. ^[1]

Distribution

The species is known only from Mindoro Island, particularly in Mt Alibug and Mt. Wood, in the Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park. ^[3]

Etymology

The species named was derived from Latin minor, in reference to its small size. ^[3]

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 minor (Small Mindoro Forest Mouse)". Mammal Diversity Database. American Society of Mammalogists. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
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.