A relationship between plagues of the house mouse, Mus musculus (Rodentia : Muridae) and prolonged periods of dry weather in south-eastern Australia

Abstract

A review was conducted of literature relating to plagues of the house mouse in three agricultural regions of south-eastern Australia for the period 1900–70. Meteorological data, particularly in relation to rainfall, was surveyed during the same period. The two sets of data indicated that in each region plagues of the house mouse were preceded by drought conditions. The role of mouse predators and disease agents are discussed as possible explanations of this relationship.