Lepus brachyurus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	LAGOMORPHA	LEPORIDAE

Scientific Name:

Lepus brachyurus

Species Authority:

Temminck, 1845

Common Name/s:

English

–

Japanese Hare

Taxonomic Notes:

Sometimes classified into four subspecies: L. b. angustidens, from the snowy area of Honshu; L. b. lyoni, Sado Island; L. b. okiensis, the Oki Islands; and L. b. brachyurus, from the remainder of the range.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

Yamada, F. & Smith, A.T.

Reviewer/s:

Johnston, C.H. and Smith, A.T. (Lagomorph Red List Authority)

Justification:
Lepus brachyurus is considered common across much of it geographic range (Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu). There is recent concern regarding density declines and therefore efforts should be made to determine population status.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Lepus brachyurus is endemic to Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Sado Island, Oki Islands (Dogo, Nishinoshima), Awaji Island, Shodo Island, Goto Islands (Fukue, Nakadori), Amakusa Islands (Shimojima), Shimokoshiki Island.
Countries:	Native: Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku)
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	Lepus brachyurus is common on Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu; rare on Sado Island (where it used to be common). Total population size in Japan is unknown; however, recent density became very low compared with those in 1970-80s when most forests were logged. Fecal pellet counts indicated that population densities are likely to be higher in younger stands, where open canopy allows for greater herbaceous content (Shimano et al. 2006). Population size only in forests (505,000 ha in total size) in Niigata prefecture in 2002-2003 was estimated as 140,000 hares. Density of L. b. angustidens was estimated to be 0.4/ha on Honshu (Hayashi 1978).
Population Trend:	Stable

Population:

Lepus brachyurus is common on Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu; rare on Sado Island (where it used to be common).

Total population size in Japan is unknown; however, recent density became very low compared with those in 1970-80s when most forests were logged. Fecal pellet counts indicated that population densities are likely to be higher in younger stands, where open canopy allows for greater herbaceous content (Shimano et al. 2006).

Population size only in forests (505,000 ha in total size) in Niigata prefecture in 2002-2003 was estimated as 140,000 hares. Density of L. b. angustidens was estimated to be 0.4/ha on Honshu (Hayashi 1978).

Population Trend:

Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Lepus brachyurus occupies forests to grasslands from lowlands to subalpine zone, though more common from low montane and montane zones (Abe et al. 2005). L. brachyurus has three to five times of parturition in a year and one to four offspring per litter. Females reach sexual maturity at 10 months and their breeding season is from February to July (Flux and Angermann 1990). L. brachyurus is a nocturnal species (Flux and Angermann 1990).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

Lepus brachyurus occupies forests to grasslands from lowlands to subalpine zone, though more common from low montane and montane zones (Abe et al. 2005).

L. brachyurus has three to five times of parturition in a year and one to four offspring per litter. Females reach sexual maturity at 10 months and their breeding season is from February to July (Flux and Angermann 1990). L. brachyurus is a nocturnal species (Flux and Angermann 1990).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There are no major threats, but the population on Sado Island is declining due to the predation of introduced Japanese marten.

Major Threat(s):

There are no major threats, but the population on Sado Island is declining due to the predation of introduced Japanese marten.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Recent declines in density require the implementation of research actions to determine population trends, numbers and range. It is also recommended habitat and site-based actions be undertaken with emphasis on maintenance and conservation. In areas where density declines have been recorded recovery management should be employed.

Conservation Actions:

Recent declines in density require the implementation of research actions to determine population trends, numbers and range. It is also recommended habitat and site-based actions be undertaken with emphasis on maintenance and conservation. In areas where density declines have been recorded recovery management should be employed.

Citation:	Yamada, F. & Smith, A.T. 2008. Lepus brachyurus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 10 February 2012.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided