Lepus comus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	LAGOMORPHA	LEPORIDAE

Scientific Name:

Lepus comus

Species Authority:

Allen, 1927

Common Name/s:

English

–

Yunnan Hare

Taxonomic Notes:

There are no recognized subspecies in Hoffmann and Smith (2005). However, in the Mammals of China three subspecies are recognized: Lepus comus comus (western Yunnan), L. c. peni (eastern Yunnan, western Guizhou, and southwestern Sichuan), and L. c. pygmaeus (Yunnan) (Smith and Xie 2008).

L. comus was formerly included in L. oiostolus but is now recognized as a true species (Hoffmann and Smith 2005). The differentiation is based on ecological and morphological differences between the two species (Cai and Feng 1982, Wang et al. 1985). Molecular phylogenetics indicates that L. comus and oiostolus are sister taxa (Wu et al. 2005).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Smith, A.T. & Johnston, C.H.

Evaluator/s:

Boyer, A.F. & Johnston, C.H. (Lagomorph Red List Authority)

Justification:
This species is widespread, that occurs in protected areas. Lepus comus is reported as being very common by local inhabitants of the region (Wu et al. 2000). It is likely that the population is secure due to its occurrence in remote regions in southwestern China (Flux and Angermann 1990). Isolation on mountains due to encroaching agriculture in surrounding valleys, may pose a threat, but more information is needed (Flux and Angermann 1990).

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	The geographic distribution for L. comus is Yunnan, western Guizhou, and southern Sichuan in China (Smith and Xie 2008). It is found on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau at elevations of 1,300-3,200 m (Wang et al. 1985, Smith and Xie 2008). Its presence has also been recorded in northern Myanmar (Wu et al. 2000).
Countries:	Native: China (Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan); Myanmar
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	Reports from local inhabitants of the region state that Lepus comus is very common (Wu et al. 2000).
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	There are few data regarding the habitat and ecology of L. comus (Flux and Angermann 1990; Wu et al. 2000). It is assumed that Lepus comus inhabits high montane pastures within its range (Flux and Angermann 1990). This habitat is thought to be similar to that of Lepus oiostolus in Tibet (Flux and Angermann 1990; Wu et al. 2000). Hunters have reported that each adult hare has three burrows, with male burrows smaller, shallower, and straighter and female burrows that are bigger and oval (Luo 1988). L. comus is diurnal, but ventures into cultivated fields at night to forage (Luo 1988). L. comus produces a litter size of one to four young, two to three times per year (Smith and Xie 2008).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

There are few data regarding the habitat and ecology of L. comus (Flux and Angermann 1990; Wu et al. 2000). It is assumed that Lepus comus inhabits high montane pastures within its range (Flux and Angermann 1990). This habitat is thought to be similar to that of Lepus oiostolus in Tibet (Flux and Angermann 1990; Wu et al. 2000). Hunters have reported that each adult hare has three burrows, with male burrows smaller, shallower, and straighter and female burrows that are bigger and oval (Luo 1988). L. comus is diurnal, but ventures into cultivated fields at night to forage (Luo 1988). L. comus produces a litter size of one to four young, two to three times per year (Smith and Xie 2008).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Populations that occur on mountains may become isolated as agriculture expands into surrounding valleys (Flux and Angermann 1990).

Major Threat(s):

Populations that occur on mountains may become isolated as agriculture expands into surrounding valleys (Flux and Angermann 1990).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species occurs in the following nature reserves; Shilin (Yunnan), Changshanerhai, Daweishan, Jinpingfenshuiling (Yunnan), Nujiang, Gaoligongshan (Yunnan), and Tongbiguan (CSIS 2008). The Chinese regional Red Listing classifies L. comus as Near Threatened nearly meeting criteria A2cd+3cd for listing as Vulnerable (Wang and Xie 2004). Research is needed to determine this species' habitat, ecology, and population status (Wu et al. 2000).

Conservation Actions:

This species occurs in the following nature reserves; Shilin (Yunnan), Changshanerhai, Daweishan, Jinpingfenshuiling (Yunnan), Nujiang, Gaoligongshan (Yunnan), and Tongbiguan (CSIS 2008). The Chinese regional Red Listing classifies L. comus as Near Threatened nearly meeting criteria A2cd+3cd for listing as Vulnerable (Wang and Xie 2004). Research is needed to determine this species' habitat, ecology, and population status (Wu et al. 2000).

Citation:	Smith, A.T. & Johnston, C.H. 2008. Lepus comus. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2010.
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