Prolagus imperialis

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Prolagus imperialis
Temporal range: Early Pliocene
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Prolagidae
Genus: Prolagus
Species:
P. imperialis
Binomial name
Prolagus imperialis
Mazza, 1987

Prolagus imperialis is an extinct species in the genus Prolagus . It was one of the species in this genus that were recently discovered. Prolagus imperialis may have resembled a pika.

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Nomenclature

Prolagus imperialis was named after Poggio Imperiale, the place where its fossils were discovered. [1] Its name might mean "first rabbit of Poggio Imperiale".

Size

Prolagus imperialis is larger than the species which was discovered along with it, Prolagus apricenicus . Also, Prolagus imperialis is the largest of all Prolagidae, weighing about 5 kilograms (11 lb).

References

  1. Evolution of Island Mammals: Adaptation and Extinction of Placental Mammals on Islands