| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANIMALIA | CHORDATA | MAMMALIA | LAGOMORPHA | LEPORIDAE |
| Scientific Name: | Lepus coreanus | |||
| Species Authority: | Thomas, 1892 | |||
Common Name/s:
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| Taxonomic Notes: | There are no recognized subspecies (Hoffmann and Smith 2005). There has been past uncertainty regarding the taxonomic status of Lepus coreanus with regard to five other Lepus species in the region (Flux and Angermann 1990; Koh et al. 2001). This species was formerly included under L. sinensis (Hoffmann and Smith 2005). A study of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequencing has shown that L. coreanus is indeed a valid species (Koh et al. 2001). However, a recent phylogenetic study does not support the findings of Koh et al. (2001), instead considers L. coreanus as L. timidus (Wu et al. 2005). Clearly, taxonomic status still remains unresolved. | |||
| Red List Category & Criteria: | Least Concern ver 3.1 | |||
| Year Assessed: | 2008 | |||
| Assessor/s: | Smith, A.T. & Johnston, C.H. | |||
| Reviewer/s: | Boyer, A.F. & Johnston, C.H. (Lagomorph Red List Authority) | |||
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Justification: Lepus coreanus is a widespread species. There are no published reports of population declines, so it is assumed that L. coreanus is not at risk. However, it is recommended that research regarding population status, biology, and ecology should be conducted. |
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| History: |
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| Range Description: | The geographic distribution of L. coreanus encompasses the entire Korean Peninsula, as well as southern Jilin, China (Smith and Xie 2008). |
| Countries: |
Native:
China (Jilin); Korea, Democratic People's Republic of; Korea, Republic of
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| Range Map: | Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
| Population: | This species is considered common in Korea (Flux and Angermann 1990; Smith and Xie 2008). The density of L. coreanus varies according to habitat (Flux and Angermann 1990). Values ranged from no presence on coastal and cultivated land, up to 4.1/sq. km on hills, and 5.1/sq. km on mountains (Flux and Angermann 1990). |
| Population Trend: |
Unknown
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| Habitat and Ecology: | L. coreanus occupies various habitats across its geographic distribution from plains to mountains (Flux and Angermann 1990, Smith and Xie 2008). They have also posed a problem to barley growing near the mountains in Kyeonsnam Province and have girdled half the peach trees that were growing on a five hectare farm in Jeonnan Province (Flux and Angermann 1990). A study conducted in Mt. Chirisan National Park, South Korea indicated that L. coreanus abundance was positively associated with the percent of shrub cover within a given landscape (Rhim and Lee 2007). |
| Systems: | Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): | The threats to this species are not known. |
| Conservation Actions: | There are no known conservation measures in place for this species. It is not known is this species is present in any protected areas. In China, this species has been regionally Red Listed as Least Concern (Wang and Xie 2004). |
| Citation: | Smith, A.T. & Johnston, C.H. 2008. Lepus coreanus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 10 February 2012. |
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