Molecular phylogeny and morphometric divergence of native Korean wild mice (Mus musculus)

Our findings indicate that Korean house mice belong to a single subspecific group within M. m. musculus, with observed morphological variations reflecting local adaptation rather than distinct taxonomic divisions. The Korean Peninsula likely served as an ecological bridge, facilitating the spatiotemporal diversification of M. m. musculus across East Eurasia. This study resolves longstanding taxonomic ambiguities and underscores the subspecific status of Korean house mice within M. m. musculus. These insights provide a foundation for understanding the biogeographic history of human commensal species and future biomedical research utilizing wild-derived mouse models.