Sylvilagus graysoni (J. A. Allen, 1877)

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Leporidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 107-148 : 122-123

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6625539

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6625424

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03822308-B748-FFE9-FA17-F7EAFE26F2A6

treatment provided by

Carolina

scientific name

Sylvilagus graysoni
status

 

24. View Plate 3: Leporidae

Tres Marias Cottontail

Sylvilagus graysoni View in CoL

French: Lapin des Marias / German: Tres-Marias-Baumwollschwanzkaninchen / Spanish: Conejo de Tres Marias

Other common names: Tres Marias Rabbit

Taxonomy. Lepus graysoni]. A. Allen, 1877, View in CoL

“Tres Marias Islands.” Restricted by E. W. Nelson in 1899 to “undoubtedly from Maria Madre [Island],” Nayarit, Mexico.

Existence of two subspecies of S. graysoni is under consideration (grayson: and badistes). Taxonomic, morphological, karyological, and biogeographical evidence support the view that insular S. grayson : shared a common mainland ancestor with S. cunicularius that invaded islands when they were very likely connected to the mainland during maximal Pleistocene glaciation. Monotypic.

Distribution. Islas Marias, Nayarit State (W Mexico). View Figure

Descriptive notes. Head-body 440-470 mm, tail 33-50 mm, ear 62-64 mm, hindfoot 91-95 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Tres Marias Cottontail is medium-sized, with relatively short ears. Dorsal fur is reddish and brightest on nape and rump;lateral fur is paler reddish. Ventral fur is whitish, except for brownish throat patch.

Habitat. Dense stands ofcacti, trees, brushes, and agaves 3-4 m high; tropical deciduous forests 4 m high; open woodland in coastal areas; agricultural coastal areas; and abandoned agricultural fields consisting of scattered growth of bushes from sea level to elevations of ¢.350 m. Insular habitats of the Tres Marias Cottontail are more arid than on the mainland. Average yearly rainfall is 635 mm; most of it falls during violet summer storms from the south-east. Temperatures are moderate, with monthly averages ranging from 20-3°C in January/February to 28-1°C in July/August.

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. One study revealed that eleven female Tres Marias Cottontails were lactating and two females were pregnant in March.

Activity patterns. After 15:00 h, Tres Marias Cottontails have been seen sitting in small open places in the woods’ undergrowth, apparently waiting for sunset.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Tres Marias Cottontail is listed as critically endangered in Mexico. Its distribution in Mexico is limited to the Tres Marias Islands, an area less than 500 km2. These islands are located c.86 km off the western coast of Mexico (21-22° N, 106-107° W) and include four islands: Maria Madre, Maria Magdalena, Maria Cleofas, and San Juanito. Populations of Tres Marias Cottontails are declining because of extensive habitat alterations on these islands. In 1897, the Tres Marias Cottontail was abundant in some places on the four islands. During a 1987 expedition,it was found only on San Juanito Island, which makes up ¢.12% ofthe total possible extent of occurrence. Main threats are hunting; extensive clearing of habitats and introduced White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), domestic pigs, and domestic goats; and increasing human settlements associated with a federal prison on Maria Madre Island. Populations of Tres Marias Cottontails were more abundant on the uninhabited islands of Maria Cleofas and San Juanito, but Maria Cleofas Island has been stripped of ¢.50% ofits native vegetation for human settlements. Recommendations to ensure survival of the Tres Marias Cottontails are to establish reserves on Maria Madre Island, turn San Juanito Island into an ecological reserve, and stop all hunting. Status surveys need to be conducted to determine population status and specific habitat requirements, and long-term research on natural history and population densities in long-term projects should be initiated. Maria Magdalena Island has been designated an ecological reserve by the Mexican government.

Bibliography. AMCELA, Romero & Rangel (2008e), Cervantes (1997), Chapman & Ceballos (1990), Chapman etal. (1990), Cervantes (1997), Diersing & Wilson (1980), Hall (1981), Hoffmann & Smith (2005), Lorenzo (1987), Nelson (1899a, 1909), Wilson (1991).

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Lagomorpha

Family

Leporidae

Genus

Sylvilagus

Loc

Sylvilagus graysoni

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier 2016
2016
Loc

Lepus graysoni]. A. Allen, 1877,

J. A. Allen 1877
1877
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