List of lagomorphs

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European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Oryctolagus cuniculus Tasmania 2.jpg
European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Large-eared pika (Ochotona macrotis) The Pika.jpg
Large-eared pika (Ochotona macrotis)

Lagomorpha is an order of placental mammals, comprising the rabbits, hares, and pikas. Members of this order are called lagomorphs. It currently comprises 93 extant species, which are grouped into 12 genera. Lagomorphs live on every major landmass except Antarctica, and in a variety of habitats, especially forests, grasslands, shrublands, and rocky areas. They are generally small in size and come in two main groupings of body plans, the larger rabbit group and smaller pika group, ranging overall from the 11 cm (4 in) long Gansu pika to the 76 cm (30 in) long desert hare. The domestic rabbit subspecies of the European rabbit has been domesticated, resulting in a worldwide distribution.

Contents

Lagomorpha is divided into two families: Leporidae, comprising the rabbits and hares; and Ochotonidae, or the pikas. The 64 extant species of Leporidae are divided into 11 genera, though the majority of the species are placed into Sylvilagus (cottontail rabbits) and Lepus (hares); the 29 extant species of Ochotonidae are grouped into a single genus, Ochotona. The exact organization of the species is not fixed, with many recent proposals made based on molecular phylogenetic analysis. No lagomorph species have recently gone extinct, though some species are endangered and the riverine rabbit is critically endangered.

Conventions

Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the collective range of species in that genera is provided. Ranges are based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species unless otherwise noted. All extinct genera or species listed alongside extant species went extinct after 1500 CE, and are indicated by a dagger symbol "".

Classification

Lagomorpha range Lagomorpha range.png
Lagomorpha range

The order Lagomorpha consists of 93 extant species belonging to 12 genera. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species. Modern molecular studies indicate that the 12 genera can be grouped into 2 families. [1]

Family Leporidae

Family Ochotonidae

Lagomorpha [1]   

Lagomorphs

The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by the reference work Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists. [2]

Family Leporidae

Members of the Leporidae family are called leporids, or colloquially rabbits and hares. Leporidae comprises 73 extant species, divided into 11 genera.

Not assigned to a named subfamily – eleven genera
NameAuthority and speciesRangeSize and ecology
Brachylagus

BRACHYLAGUS IDAHOENSIS.jpg

Miller, 1900

One species
Western America (introduced in red)
Pygmy Rabbit area.png
Size: 23–30 cm (9–12 in) long, plus 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) tail [3]

Habitats: Shrubland and desert [4]

Diet: Sagebrush, as well as grass and other plants [3]
Bunolagus

Bunolagus monticularis imported from iNaturalist photo 15093370 on 5 February 2020.jpg

Thomas, 1929

One species
Southern South America
Riverine Rabbit area.png
Size: 33–47 cm (13–19 in) long, plus 7–11 cm (3–4 in) tail [5]

Habitats: Shrubland [6]

Diet: Shrubs as well as grass [6]
Caprolagus

CaprolagusHispidusJASB.jpg

Blyth, 1845

One species
Himalayas
Hispid Hare area.png
Size: 38–50 cm (15–20 in) long, plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail [7]

Habitats: Grassland and inland wetlands [8]

Diet: Grass as well as other plants [8]
Lepus
(hare)

Lepus europaeus (Causse Mejean, Lozere)-cropped.jpg

Linnaeus, 1758

32 species
Africa, Asia, Europe, and North AmericaSize range: 28 cm (11 in) long, plus 5 cm (2 in) tail (Yarkand hare) to 76 cm (30 in) long (Desert hare) [9]

Habitats: Desert, coastal marine, inland wetlands, forest, shrubland, rocky areas, savanna, caves, and grassland [10]

Diets: Wide variety of plants [10]
Nesolagus
(striped rabbit)

Sumatran Striped Rabbit Recontruction.jpg

Major, 1899

Two species
Sumatra and the Annamite Range in Laos and Vietnam Size range: 35 cm (14 in) long (Annamite striped rabbit) to 42 cm (17 in) long plus 17 cm (7 in) tail (Sumatran striped rabbit) [11]

Habitats: Forest [12]

Diets: Various plants [12]
Oryctolagus

Oryctolagus cuniculus Rcdo.jpg

Lilljeborg, 1762

One species
Europe, southern South America, and Oceana (native in orange, introduced in purple)
Oryctolagus cuniculus distribution Map.png
Size: 38–50 cm (15–20 in) long [13]

Habitats: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland [14]

Diet: Grass, leaves, buds, bark, and roots [13]
Pentalagus

Amami rabbit Stuffed specimen.jpg

Lyon, 1904

One species
Southern tip of Japan
Amami Rabbit area.png
Size: 39–53 cm (15–21 in) long, plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail [15]

Habitats: Forest, shrubland, and intertidal marine [16]

Diet: Herbs, shrubs, and acorns [16]
Poelagus St. Leger, 1932

One species
Central Africa
Bunyoro Rabbit area.png
Size: 45–50 cm (18–20 in) long, plus 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) tail [17]

Habitats: Forest, savanna, and rocky areas [18]

Diet: Grass, shrubs, forbs, and tubers [17]
Pronolagus
(red rock hare)

Pronolagus randensis Rudloff.jpg

Lyon, 1904

Four species
Southern Africa (P. crassicaudatus in purple, P. randensis in green, P. rupestris in orange, and P. saundersiae in blue)
Pronolagus range overlap.svg
Size range: 38 cm (15 in) long, plus 5 cm (2 in) tail (Hewitt's red rock hare) to 56 cm (22 in) long plus 11 cm (4 in) tail (Natal red rock hare) [19]

Habitats: Desert, grassland, shrubland, and rocky areas [20]

Diets: Grass, herbs, and shrubs [20]
Romerolagus

Romerolagus diazi .jpg

Merriam, 1896

One species
Southern Mexico
Romerolagus diazi distribution.svg
Size: 27–32 cm (11–13 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail [21]

Habitats: Forest and grassland [22]

Diet: Grass [21]
Sylvilagus
(cottontail rabbit)

Sylvilagus audubonii 2.jpg

Gray, 1867

19 species
North America and South AmericaSize range: 21 cm (8 in) long, plus 1 cm (0.4 in) tail (Tres Marias cottontail) to 55 cm (22 in) long plus 8 cm (3 in) tail (Swamp rabbit) [23]

Habitats: Desert, inland wetlands, intertidal marine, forest, shrubland, rocky areas, savanna, and grassland [24]

Diets: Wide variety of plants [24]

Family Ochotonidae

Members of the Ochotonidae family are called ochotonids, or colloquially pikas. Ochotonidae comprises 34 extant species, which are all contained within a single genus.

Not assigned to a named subfamily – one genus
NameAuthority and speciesRangeSize and ecology
Ochotona
(pika)

American pika (ochotona princeps) with a mouthful of flowers.jpg

Link, 1795

29 species
Asia and western North AmericaSize range: 11 cm (4 in) long (Gansu pika) to 29 cm (11 in) long (Northern pika) [25]

Habitats: Desert, forest, shrubland, rocky areas, and grassland [26]

Diets: Wide variety of plants [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swamp rabbit</span> Species of mammal

The swamp rabbit, also called the cane-cutter, is a large cottontail rabbit found in the swamps and wetlands of the southern United States. The species has a strong preference for wet areas, and it will take to the water and swim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broom hare</span> Species of mammal

The broom hare is a species of hare endemic to northern Spain. It was described in 1976 as separate from the Granada hare. It is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tehuantepec jackrabbit</span> Species of mammal

The Tehuantepec jackrabbit is a jackrabbit endemic to Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yarkand hare</span> Species of mammal

The Yarkand hare is a species of mammal in the family Leporidae. It has soft, straight, sandy brown dorsal pelage which has grayish-black stripes, and completely white ventral pelage. Endemic to China, the Yarkand hare is restricted to the Tarim Basin in Southern Xinjiang, China. It is mainly nocturnal, and forages on grass and crops. The female produces two or three litters annually, each consisting of two to five young. It is rated as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species and by the Red List of China's Vertebrates. However, Chinese geneticists have stated the species is "endangered" due to limited habitat and its fragmentation, and over-hunting and poaching.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaoligong pika</span> Species of mammal

The Gaoligong pika is a color morph of Forrest's pika, a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae. It is endemic to China. Many of the general physical characteristics of the pika species are shared by Gaoligong pikas. However, the Gaoligong pika is specifically characterized by unique physical characteristics, including a red-brown colored crown around the neck and black behind the ears. They can produce one litter per year and can live up to three years. Their behavior is currently undetermined due to limited information available about the species. This is due to the inaccessibility of their habitat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hoffmann's pika</span> Species of mammal

Hoffmann's pika is a species of mammal in the pika family, Ochotonidae, that is endemic to Mongolia. It is currently listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Koslov's pika</span> Species of mammal

Koslov's pika or Kozlov's pika is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae. It is endemic to China. Its natural habitat is tundra. It is threatened by habitat loss. Kozlov's pika are herbivores, they are known as "ecosystem engineers" as they're known to promote diversity of different plants species. Specifically, this species of Pikas has been enlisted as "endangered" in China. Kozlov Pikas are estimated to be within the Northern edge of the Arkatag Range in China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afghan pika</span> Species of mammal

The Afghan pika is a species of small mammal in the pika family, Ochotonidae. It is found in Iranian Plateau or Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Turkmenistan and the IUCN lists it as being of "least concern".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red rock hare</span> Genus of mammals

The red rock hares are the four species in the genus Pronolagus. They are lagomorphs of the family Leporidae living in rocky habitats across Africa. Three species are restricted to Southern Africa, while one—Smith's red rock hare —is found as far north as Kenya. The red rock hares are rufous, dark brown, or reddish-brown-tailed rabbits that vary in size, with some shared physical characteristics being short ears and a lack of an interpareital bone. They have 42 chromosomes and are active during the night, feeding only on plants. Breeding results in litters of one to two altricial young.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexican cottontail</span> Species of mammal

The Mexicаn cottontail is a species of cottontail rabbit in the family Leporidae. It is endemic to Mexico where its natural habitats are temperate forests, subtropical or tropical dry forests and pastureland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dice's cottontail</span> Species of mammal

Dice's cottontail is a species of cottontail rabbit in the family Leporidae. It is found in Costa Rica and Panama, in páramo and cloud forest habitats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tres Marias cottontail</span> Species of mammal

The Tres Marias cottontail or Tres Marias rabbit is a species of mammal in the family Leporidae. It is endemic to the Islas Marías in Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tsing-ling pika</span> Species of mammal

The Tsing-ling pika is a species of pika endemic to the mountains in Central China. It inhabits mountainous forests and shrublands. It is a poorly known species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coastal tapeti</span> Species of mammal

The coastal tapeti, also known as the Rio de Janeiro dwarf cottontail or dwarf tapeti, is a species of cottontail rabbit native to Brazil. Known from only three specimens, captured in the late nineteenth century in the Paraíba Valley, it was for a long time considered to be a subspecies of the common tapeti. Slightly smaller than its close relative, analysis in 2017 confirmed that it is sufficiently distinct in both appearance and genetics to be considered a species in its own right. Due to destruction of its putative habitat in the densely populated Paraíba Valley, it is unclear whether or not the species still survives in the present day.

The Santa Marta tapeti is a species of cottontail rabbit native to the lowlands of northern Colombia. It was previously considered a subspecies of the common tapeti but analysis in 2017 confirmed that it is sufficiently distinct in both appearance and genetics to be considered a species in its own right. The name Santa Marta tapeti is derived from the mountain range where the species was first discovered, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manchurian pika</span> Species of mammal

The Manchurian pika is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae. It is found in the mountains of northeastern China in Inner Mongolia, specifically the Lesser and Greater Khingan ranges, as well as parts of Zabaykalsky Krai. It is rated as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korean pika</span> Species of mammal

The Korean pika, also known as the Korean piping hare, is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae. It is found in the mountainous northern regions of North Korea and parts of the Changbai Mountains in Jilin. It is rated as a data deficient species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species, and very little is known about it; much of its behavior and ecology is assumed to be similar to the closely related northern pika.

References

  1. 1 2 Matthee, C. A.; Van Vuuren, B. J.; Bell, D.; Robinson, T. J. (2004). "A Molecular Supermatrix of the Rabbits and Hares (Leporidae) Allows for the Identification of Five Intercontinental Exchanges During the Miocene". Systematic Biology . 53 (3): 433–477. doi: 10.1080/10635150490445715 . PMID   15503672.
  2. Wilson, Reeder, pp. 185–211
  3. 1 2 Rohde, Ashley (2006). "Brachylagus idahoensis". Animal Diversity Web . University of Michigan . Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  4. Rachlow, J.; Becker, P. A.; Shipley, L. (2016). "Brachylagus idahoensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T2963A45176206. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T2963A45176206.en .
  5. Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 91
  6. 1 2 Collins, K.; Bragg, C.; Birss, C. (2019). "Bunolagus monticularis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T3326A45176532. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T3326A45176532.en .
  7. Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 94
  8. 1 2 Aryal, A.; Yadav, B. (2019). "Caprolagus hispidus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T3833A45176688. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T3833A45176688.en .
  9. Lepus sizes:
  10. 1 2 Lepus habitats and diets:
  11. Nesolagus sizes:
  12. 1 2 Nesolagus habitats and diets:
  13. 1 2 Tislerics, Ati (2000). "Oryctolagus cuniculus". Animal Diversity Web . University of Michigan . Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  14. Villafuerte, R.; Delibes-Mateos, M. (2020) [errata version of 2019 assessment]. "Oryctolagus cuniculus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T41291A170619657. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T41291A170619657.en .
  15. Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 105
  16. 1 2 Yamada, F. and Smith; A. T. (2016). "Pentalagus furnessi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T16559A45180151. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T16559A45180151.en .
  17. 1 2 Portman, Charles (2004). "Poelagus marjorita". Animal Diversity Web . University of Michigan . Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  18. Johnston, C. H.; Smith, A. T. (2019). "Poelagus marjorita". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T41292A45189965. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T41292A45189965.en .
  19. Pronolagus sizes:
  20. 1 2 Pronolagus habitats and diets:
  21. 1 2 Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, pp. 114–115
  22. Velázquez, A.; Guerrero, J. A. (2019). "Romerolagus diazi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T19742A45180356. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T19742A45180356.en .
  23. Sylvilagus sizes:
  24. 1 2 Sylvilagus habitats and diets:
  25. Ochotona sizes:
  26. 1 2 Ochotona habitats and diets:

Sources