Comments on the Taxonomic Status of Apodemus peninsulae, with Description of a New Subspecies from North China

The work opens with a meticulous survey of mouse specimens collected from Korea and northern China, gathered through a post‑war health commission. By comparing skull measurements, tooth patterns, and subtle cranial features, the author untangles a long‑standing confusion between several closely related Apodemus forms. The paper lays out why the Korean “peninsulae” group deserves separate recognition from its European relatives.

Building on that foundation, the researcher examines material from the U.S. National Museum and highlights distinctive traits that justify naming a new subspecies from North China. Detailed illustrations of ventral skull views and dental rows help listeners visualize the minute differences that separate these rodents. The study not only clarifies the taxonomy of a widespread Asian mouse but also illustrates the broader challenges of classifying highly variable mammal groups.