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LAGOMORPHS

1709048_int_cc2015.indd 1 15/9/2017 15:59 1709048_int_cc2015.indd 2 15/9/2017 15:59 Lagomorphs , , and of the World

edited by Andrew T. Smith Charlotte H. Johnston Paulo C. Alves Klaus Hackländer

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY PRESS | baltimore

1709048_int_cc2015.indd 3 15/9/2017 15:59 © 2018 Johns Hopkins University Press All rights reserved. Published 2018 Printed in on acid-­free paper 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Smith, Andrew T., 1946–, editor. Title: Lagomorphs : pikas, rabbits, and hares of the world / edited by Andrew T. Smith, Charlotte H. Johnston, Paulo C. Alves, Klaus Hackländer. Description: Baltimore : Johns Hopkins University Press, 2018. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2017004268| ISBN 9781421423401 (hardcover) | ISBN 1421423405 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781421423418 (electronic) | ISBN 1421423413 (electronic) Subjects: LCSH: . | BISAC: SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Biology / General. | SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Zoology / . | SCIENCE / Reference. Classification: LCC QL737.L3 L35 2018 | DDC 599.32—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017004268

A catalog record for this book is available from the British Library.

Frontispiece, top to bottom: courtesy Behzad Farahanchi, courtesy David E. Brown, and © Alessandro Calabrese.

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1709048_int_cc2015.indd 4 15/9/2017 15:59 CONTENTS

Preface vii Ochotona macrotis, Large-­eared 58 Contributors ix Ochotona mantchurica, Manchurian Pika 60 Ochotona nubrica, Nubra Pika 61 1 Introduction 1 Ochotona opaca, Kazakh Pika 62 2 Evolution of Lagomorphs 4 Ochotona pallasii, Pallas’s Pika 65 3 Systematics of Lagomorphs 9 Ochotona princeps, 67 4 Introduced Lagomorphs 13 Ochotona pusilla, Pika 72 5 Diseases of Lagomorphs 18 Ochotona roylei, Royle’s Pika 75 6 Conservation of Lagomorphs 22 Ochotona rufescens, Afghan Pika 77 Ochotona rutila, Turkestan Red Pika 79 ACCOUNTS Ochotona syrinx, Qinling Pika 82 Lagomorpha 29 Ochotona thibetana, Moupin Pika 83 Ochotona thomasi, Thomas’s Pika 84 Ochotonidae 31 Ochotona turuchanensis, Turuchan Pika 85 Ochotona alpina, Alpine Pika 31 Family 87 Ochotona argentata, Helan Shan Pika 33 The Rabbits 87 Ochotona cansus, Pika 34 Brachylagus idahoensis, Pygmy 87 Ochotona collaris, 36 Bunolagus monticularis, 90 Ochotona coreana, Korean Pika 39 Caprolagus hispidus, Hispid 93 Ochotona curzoniae, Plateau Pika 40 Nesolagus netscheri, Sumatran Striped Rabbit 95 Ochotona dauurica, 43 Nesolagus timminsi, Annamite Striped Rabbit 97 Ochotona erythrotis, Chinese Red Pika 46 Oryctolagus cuniculus, 99 Ochotona forresti, Forrest’s Pika 47 Pentalagus furnessi, 104 Ochotona gloveri, Glover’s Pika 48 Poelagus marjorita, 107 Ochotona hoffmanni, Hoffmann’s Pika 49 Pronolagus crassicaudatus, Natal 108 Ochotona hyperborea, 51 Pronolagus randensis, Jameson’s Red Rock Hare 110 Ochotona iliensis, 53 Pronolagus rupestris, Smith’s Red Rock Hare 111 Ochotona koslowi, Koslov’s Pika 55 Pronolagus saundersiae, Hewitt’s Red Rock Hare 113 Ochotona ladacensis, Ladak Pika 57 Romerolagus diazi, 114

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Sylvilagus 117 Lepus capensis, 176 Sylvilagus aquaticus, 117 Lepus castroviejoi, 179 Sylvilagus audubonii, Cottontail 120 Lepus comus, Hare 181 Sylvilagus bachmani, 122 Lepus coreanus, Korean Hare 182 Sylvilagus brasiliensis sensu stricto, Tapetí, Andean Lepus corsicanus, 184 Cottontail, Rio de Janeiro Dwarf Cottontail 125 Lepus europaeus, 187 Sylvilagus cognatus, Manzano Mountain Lepus fagani, Ethiopian Hare 190 Cottontail 130 Lepus flavigularis, 191 Sylvilagus cunicularius, 131 Lepus granatensis, Iberian Hare 193 Sylvilagus dicei, Dice’s Cottontail 135 Lepus habessinicus, 195 Sylvilagus floridanus, 137 Lepus hainanus, Hainan Hare 196 Sylvilagus gabbi, Gabb’s Cottontail 140 Lepus insularis, Black Jackrabbit 198 Sylvilagus graysoni, Tres Marías Cottontail 142 Lepus mandshuricus, Manchurian Hare 200 Sylvilagus insonus, Omiltemi Rabbit 144 Lepus nigricollis, 201 Sylvilagus mansuetus, San José Brush Rabbit 145 Lepus oiostolus, 202 Sylvilagus nuttallii, 147 Lepus othus, 204 Sylvilagus obscurus, 149 Lepus peguensis, 205 Sylvilagus palustris, 152 Lepus saxatilis, Cape Scrub Hare 206 Sylvilagus robustus, Davis Mountains Cottontail 154 Lepus sinensis, 208 Sylvilagus transitionalis, 156 Lepus starcki, 209 Sylvilagus varynaensis, Venezuelan Lowland Lepus tibetanus, 211 Rabbit 157 Lepus timidus, 212 Lepus 159 Lepus tolai, 216 Lepus alleni, 159 Lepus townsendii, White-­tailed Jackrabbit 218 Lepus americanus, 163 Lepus victoriae, 220 Lepus arcticus, Hare 165 Lepus yarkandensis, Yarkand Hare 222 Lepus brachyurus, Japanese Hare 168 Lepus californicus, Black-­tailed Jackrabbit 170 References 225 Lepus callotis, White-­sided Jackrabbit 173 Index 259

1709048_int_cc2015.indd 6 15/9/2017 15:59 PREFACE

he IUCN Species Survival Commission Lagomorph of topics of broad interest across all lagomorph species: Specialist Group (LSG) and the World Lagomorph evolution, systematics, lagomorph diseases, introduced Society (WLS) are pleased to present this compre- lagomorphs, and conservation and management. Despite Thensive compendium of all the lagomorphs in the several ongoing controversies in lagomorph , world. This work is designed to expand coverage of the we have maintained a conservative systematic approach. world’s lagomorphs and update the 1990 LSG Lagomorph Nevertheless, we highlight relevant taxonomic issues that Action Plan (Rabbits, Hares and Pikas: Status Survey and require attention. Conservation Action Plan, compiled and edited by Joseph A. This work has been a team effort, with 82 specialists Chapman and John E. C. Flux). The Action Plan has contributing to species accounts. We especially thank served as the most thorough single source of informa- Rachel Fadlovich for her work on the references, and Aryn tion on lagomorphs for biologists, but it was never widely Musgrave for constructing all the species range maps. ATS available to the public and it has become outdated. In this thanks Harriet Smith for her insightful editorial work on book we present updated range maps of all lagomorph his chapters. We are grateful to all the photographers who species, high-­quality images of most species, as well as provided their work for free. We appreciate the meticulous current information on identification, systematics, ecol- copy editing by Maria E. denBoer. Finally, the collabora- ogy, behavior, reproduction, genetics, physiology, and con- tion with our editorial team from Johns Hopkins Univer- servation and management of the pikas, rabbits, and hares sity Press, Vincent Burke, Tiffany Gasbarrini, Debby Bors, of the world. The book also summarizes key components and Meagan M. Szekely, is highly appreciated.

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Pelayo Acevedo Fernando Ballesteros Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos Sistemas Naturales Ciudad Real, Spain c/ Santa Susana 15 3° C Oviedo, Spain Maria Altemus School of Natural Resources and the Environment Ron Barry University of Arizona P. O. Box 471 Tucson, Arizona, Lewiston, Maine, United States

Sergio Ticul Álvarez-­Castañeda Amando Bautista Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta La Paz, Baja Sur, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala Tlaxcala, Mexico Paulo C. Alves Faculdade de Ciências & CIBIO Penny A. Becker Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão Department of Fish and Wildlife Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal Olympia, Washington, United States

Nguyen The Truong An Erik A. Beever Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research U.S. Geological Survey Berlin, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center Bozeman, , United States Anders Angerbjörn Department of Zoology Hichem Ben Slimen Stockholm University High Institute of Biotechnology of Béja Stockholm, Sweden Béja,

Asma Awadi Joel Berger Faculty of Sciences of Tunis Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology University El Manar State University Tunis, Tunisia Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

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Leah K. Berkman Mayra de la Paz Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste Southern Illinois University La Paz, Sur, Mexico Carbondale, Illinois, United States Miguel Delibes-­Mateos Sabuj Bhattacharyya CIBIO, Universidade do Porto Molecular Ecology Laboratory Campus Agrario de Vairão Centre for Ecological Sciences Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, Karnataka, Robert C. Dowler Department of Biology, Angelo State University Jorge Bolaños San Angelo, , United States El Colegio de la Frontera Sur Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad Ricardo Farrera-­Muro San Cristóbal de Las Casas, , Mexico Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey Never Bonino Campus Puebla, Puebla, Mexico Instituto Nacional de Tecnologica Agropecuaria Bariloche, Argentina Craig Faulhaber Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Christy J. Bragg Ocala, Florida, United States Drylands Conservation Programme The Endangered Wildlife Trust John E. C. Flux 23 Hardy Street, Waterloo Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand David E. Brown School of Life Sciences Johnnie French Arizona State University Department of Biology Tempe, Arizona, United States Portland State University Portland, , United States Arturo Carrillo-­Reyes Oikos: Conservación y Desarrollo Sustentable Antonio García-­Méndez San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico El Colegio de la Frontera Sur Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad Fernando A. Cervantes San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico Instituto de Biología, UNAM Colección Nacional de Mamíferos Fernando Gopar-­Merino Distrito Federal, Mexico Centro de Investigaciones en Geografia Ambiental Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Kai Collins Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico Research Institute Department of Zoology & Entomology Thomas Gray University of Pretoria WWF—Greater Mekong Pretoria, South Africa Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Brian D. Cooke Klaus Hackländer Institute for Applied Ecology University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna University of Canberra Institute of Wildlife Biology and Management Canberra, Vienna, Austria

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David C. D. Happold Weidong Li Research School of Biology Natural Ecological Protection Studio Australian National University Ürümqi, , China Canberra, A.C.T., Australia Andrey Lissovsky Jeremy Holden Zoological Museum, Moscow State University Flora and Fauna International Moscow, Cambridge, John A. Litvaitis Yeong-­Seok Jo Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Division of Research University of New Hampshire National Institute of Biological Resources Durham, New Hampshire, United States Incheon, South Marian Litvaitis Charlotte H. Johnston Department of Natural Resources and the Environment School of Life Sciences University of New Hampshire Arizona State University Durham, New Hampshire, United States Tempe, Arizona, United States Shaoying Liu Patrick A. Kelly Academy of Forestry Department of Biological Sciences Chengdu, Sichuan, China California State University, Stanislaus Turlock, California, United States Consuelo Lorenzo El Colegio de la Frontera Sur Howard Kilpatrick Departamento Conservación de la Biodiversidad 391 Rt. 32 San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico North Franklin, Connecticut, United States Debbie Martyr Adrienne Kovach Fauna & Flora International-­Indonesia Programme University of New Hampshire Ragunan, Jakarta, Indonesia Durham, New Hampshire, United States Conrad A. Matthee Charles J. Krebs Department of Botany and Zoology Department of Zoology Stellenbosch University University of Stellenbosch, South Africa Vancouver, British Columbia, Jennifer L. McCarthy Hayley C. Lanier University of Delaware, Associate of Arts Program Department of Zoology and Physiology Wilmington, Delaware, United States University of Casper, Wyoming, United States Robert McCleery Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation John W. Laundré University of Florida James San Jacinto Mountains Natural Reserve Gainesville, Florida, United States Idyllwild, California, United States José Melo-­Ferreira Antonio Lavazza CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Virology Department, IZSLER Recursos Genéticos Brescia, InBIO Laboratório Associado & Faculdade de Ciências Universidade do Porto Porto, Portugal

1709048_int_cc2015.indd 11 15/9/2017 15:59 xii Contributors

José M. Mora Luisa Rodríguez-­Martínez Instituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta Silvestre Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala Universidad Nacional Tlaxcala, Mexico Heredia, Costa Rica Luis A. Ruedas Sanjay Molur Department of Biology Zoo Outreach Organization Portland State University Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India Portland, Oregon, United States

Dennis L. Murray Eugenia C. Sántiz-­López Department of Biology El Colegio de la Frontera Sur Trent University Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad Peterborough, Ontario, Canada San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

P. O. Nameer Stéphanie Schai-­Braun Centre for Wildlife Studies University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna Kerala Agricultural University Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management Thrissur City, Kerala, India Vienna, Austria

Clayton K. Nielsen Lisa A. Shipley Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory and School of the Environment Department of Forestry Washington State University Southern Illinois University Pullman, Washington, United States Carbondale, Illinois, United States Andrew T. Smith Janet L. Rachlow School of Life Sciences Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences Arizona State University University of Tempe, Arizona, United States Moscow, Idaho, United States Adia Sovie Juan Pablo Ramírez-­Silva Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Programa Académico de Biología University of Florida Unidad Académica de Agricultura Gainesville, Florida, United States Universidad Autónoma de Xalisco, Nayarit, Mexico Andrew Tilker Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Chris Ray Berlin, Germany, and Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research Global Wildlife Conservation University of Colorado Austin, Texas, United States Boulder, Colorado, United States Zelalem Gebremariam Tolesa Tamara Rioja-­Paradela Department of Biology Sustentabilidad y Ecología Aplicada Hawassa University Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas Hawassa, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico Myles B. Traphagen Terry J. Robinson Westland Resources, Inc. Department of Botany and Zoology Tucson, Arizona, United States Stellenbosch University Matieland, South Africa

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Julieta Vargas Rafael Villafuerte Instituto de Biología, UNAM IESA-­CSIC Colección Nacional de Mamíferos Campo Santo de los Mártires 7 Distrito Federal, Mexico Códoba, Spain

Jorge Vázquez Fumio Yamada Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta Department of Wildlife Biology Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala Forestry and Products Research Institute Tlaxcala, Mexico Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki,

Alejandro Velázquez Centro de Investigaciones en Geografia Ambiental Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico

1709048_int_cc2015.indd 13 15/9/2017 15:59 This page intentionally left blank Lepus flavigularis 191 ± Lepus flavigularisWagner, 1844 Tehuantepec Jackrabbit

OTHER COMMON NAMES: Liebre tropical, Liebre de Tehuantepec (Spanish) DESCRIPTION: The Tehuantepec jackrabbit is a large, slender hare. It has long, pointed ears of yellowish brown color. There are two longitudinal and dorsal black stripes that extend from the base of each ear to the base of the neck. The dorsal pelage is a gray pale yellow with dark brown; the hindquarters and the limbs are pale gray. The ventral pelage and flanks are white, with the exception of the throat, which is pale yellow. The black color on the back of the tail extends toward the hindquarters; the ven- tral part of the tail is white. The is elongated, and the tympanic bullae are the smallest among Lepus in Mexico. SIZE: Head and body 499–640 mm; Tail 50–118 mm; Hind foot 109–130 mm; Ear 103–145 mm; Greatest length of skull 97 mm; Weight 1,700–2,900 g CURRENT DISTRIBUTION: A Mexican endemic, the Te- huantepec jackrabbit comprises only four geographically isolated populations (Montecillo Santa Cruz, San Fran- cisco del Mar Pueblo Viejo, Aguachil, and Santa María del Mar), around the Laguna Superior and Laguna Inferior in the Tehuantepec Isthmus, , Mexico. TAXONOMY AND GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION: No sub- species. Phylogenetic relationships based on molecular analyses indicate that white-­sided jackrabbits are grouped in a subclade, where the white-­sided jackrabbit (L. callotis) and the Tehuantepec jackrabbit are closely related, and the black-­tailed jackrabbit (L. californicus) is separated from this group in another subclade. The most differenti- ated species is the white-­tailed jackrabbit (L. townsendii). ECOLOGY: Average population density of the Tehuante- pec jackrabbit varies from 4/km2 at Montecillo Santa Cruz to 26/km2 at Santa María del Mar. The total population of Lepus flavigularis. Photo courtesy Arturo Carrillo-­Reyes the species is small, with estimates ranging from 44 in a sampling area of 2.68 km2 at Aguachil, 55/4.79 km2 at San 0.20 to 152 ha. There is a high level of overlap between Francisco del Mar Pueblo Viejo, 132/33.16 km2 at Mon- the sexes (> 70%); therefore, home ranges are not exclu- tecillo Santa Cruz, and 377/14.33 km2 at Santa María del sive. Mar. A viability population analysis of the Tehuantepec The Tehuantepec jackrabbit shares its habitat with jackrabbit at Santa Maria del Mar showed that it is at high several other mammals: common opossums (Didelphis risk of . marsupialis), nine-­banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinc­ Average home range size of the Tehuantepec jackrabbit tus), eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus), hooded at Montecillo Santa Cruz is 55 ha, and at Santa María del skunks (Mephitis macroura), American hog-­nosed skunks Mar shows wide intraspecific variation, with a range from (Conepatus leuconotus), spotted skunks (Spilogale gracilis),

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of a channel of water and anthropogenic features that constitute a barrier between these sites. Microsatellite variation indicates that the Montecillo Santa Cruz popu- lation has low levels of polymorphism (43%) and hetero- zygosity (Ho = 0.18), in contrast to the San Francisco del Mar Pueblo Viejo population (polymorphism = 71%; Ho = 0.51). REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT: Tehuantepec jackrabbits are sexually active (estrous phase) in the dry season (November–April). The lactation phase takes place during the wet season (May–November). The Lepus flavigularis habitat. Photo courtesy Eugenia C. Sántiz-­López breeding season of the Tehuantepec jackrabbit extends 250 days a , with an increase in reproductive activ- (Procyon lotor), gray (Urocyon cinereoargen­ ity during the wet season (May–October). Reproduction teus), and (Canis latrans). sites are located almost exclusively in open in HABITAT AND DIET: The Tehuantepec jackrabbit lives in pasture areas. Females produce four offspring per breed- thorny scrub and grassland-­nanchal ( crassifolia) ing season. They exhibit a polygynous reproductive breed- and grassland-­morro ( spp.) associations at Mon- ing system. tecillo Santa Cruz, and grassland (with predominance of PARASITES AND DISEASES: The Tehuantepec jackrabbit the grass Jouvea pilosa), coastal dunes, and xeric shrubs at is parasitized by a of the family Onchocerci- Santa María del Mar, San Francisco del Mar Pueblo Viejo, dae (Pelecitus meridionaleporinus), which occurs in the and Aguachil. subcutaneous tissue at the base of ears. This is the second The diet of the Tehuantepec jackrabbit is highly di- species of Pelecitus that is known among lago- verse; 18 species are consumed in the dry season morphs, and the third found infecting mammals. and 16 plant species in the rainy season (primarily from : the families , , and herbs). Favored IUCN Red List Classification: Endangered (EN): during both wet and dry seasons are buffalograss A2b+3c; B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v); C1; D; decreasing ( dactyloides), zacale (Cathestecum brevifolium), National-­level Assessments: Mexico (Endangered Offi- and southern crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris). cial Norm NOM-059-ECOL-2010 (SEMARNAT)) BEHAVIOR: The Tehuantepec jackrabbit is not territorial. MANAGEMENT: caused by changes Groups of up to 12 jackrabbits have been observed resting in local land use, an increase in settlements, and activities on beds among tillers of grasses and shrubs and under such as ranching and burning pastures for seasonal agri- nopal ( spp.) located within a radius of no more culture has almost completely isolated the subpopulations than 50 m, without any evidence of aggressive territorial of the Tehuantepec jackrabbit. This isolation has in turn behavior. These jackrabbits are nocturnal, becoming most led to a decrease in genetic viability in these populations. active at 18:40 ± 2 h. The greater part of this period (12 ± Historically, excessive was another anthropogenic 3 hours), is occupied in feeding, interspersed with periods factor that caused a decrease in the population of this of grooming (average duration 12 ± 9 minutes) and social- species. ization. The jackrabbits feed in a solitary manner, as well Possible species competing for food with the Tehuan- as within large groups. tepec jackrabbit are eastern cottontails, cattle, and horses. PHYSIOLOGY AND GENETICS: Diploid These species may also transmit diseases to the jack­ number = 48 and FN = 88. The Tehuantepec jack­rabbit rabbits. There are also several predators of the jackrabbits displays low genetic diversity. Additionally, there is a that may further be affecting their populations: domestic phylogeographic pattern in that the species can be clearly and (associated with the camps of fishermen), differentiated in two (one that corresponds to the coyotes, gray foxes, Neotropical whip (Masticophis populations of Montecillo Santa Cruz, San Francisco del mentovarius), and western lyre snakes (Trimorphodon Mar Pueblo Viejo, and Aguachil, and another that corre- biscutatus). sponds to the population of Santa María del Mar). The We recommend continuous monitoring of the popu- gene flow between these groups is low due to the presence lations of the Tehuantepec jackrabbit. In addition, it is

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important to carry out activities within the social sector hind feet smaller than 130 mm. Female Iberian hares are to recommend actions for conservation of the jackrab- larger than males. bit: proper use and management of paddock , The Iberian hare possesses a developed posterior arm proper burning strategies within grasslands, cessation of of the supraorbital process, which reaches the temporal hunting of jackrabbits, and institution of environmental tubercule. education programs. Long-­term studies of the effect of SIZE: Head and body 445–473 mm; Tail 93–112 mm; cattle grazing on the composition of plant species in the Hind foot 116.6–127.4 mm; Ear 92.5–102.7 mm; Greatest pastures are required to detect the possible occurrence length of skull 86.2–91.2 mm; Weight: 2,129–2,832 g of overgrazing that might affect the carrying capacity and therefore the Tehuantepec jackrabbit population. An improved understanding of this aspect would provide the ± necessary tools to establish an appropriate program of rotational grazing that is currently absent.

account authors: Consuelo Lorenzo, Tamara Rioja-­ Paradela, Arturo Carrillo-­Reyes, Eugenia C. Sántiz-­López, Jorge Bolaños

Key References: Álvarez del Toro 1991; Carillo-­Reyes 2009; Carillo-­ Reyes et al. 2010; Cervantes 1993; Cervantes and Lorenzo 1997b; Farías 2004; Farías et al. 2006; Flux and Angermann 1990; Hall 1981; Jiménez-­Ruiz et al. 2004; López et al. 2009; Lorenzo et al. 2006, 2008, 2011, 2014a, 2014b, 2015; Reid 1997; Rico et al. 2008; Rioja et al. 2008, 2011, 2012; Sántiz et al. 2012; SEMARNAT 2010; Uribe-­Alcocer et al. 1989; Vargas 2000.

Lepus granatensis Rosenhauer, 1856 Iberian Hare

OTHER COMMON NAMES: ; Liebre Ibérica (Spanish); Lebre Ibérica (Portuguese) DESCRIPTION: The Iberian hare is smaller than other European hare species. In contrast to the uniformity of the pelage pattern of other European hares, in the Ibe- rian hare the white ventral area is extensive, and there is a clear contrast between the ochraceous brown (gray-­ brown) color of the back and the white belly pelage that extends in a white strip to the forefeet and hind feet. The external faces of the hips are bright reddish in contrast with the gray-­brown of the dorsal part of the back. The Iberian hare has a typical white coloration on the in- side of the legs, which continues with the upper side of the legs and reaches to the tip of the toes. There are no white stripes on the face. The Iberian hare is smaller than the other sympatric hare species, the European hare (L. europaeus) and the broom hare (L. castroviejoi), with a mean body weight ranging from 2,000 to 2,600 g and with Lepus granatensis. Photo courtesy Rolf Giger

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