Lepus mandshuricus

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 mandshuricus

Species Authority:

Radde, 1861

Common Name/s:

English

–

Manchurian Hare

Synonym/s:

Lepus melainus Li & Luo, 1979

Taxonomic Notes:

There are no recognized subspecies for Lepus mandshuricus (Hoffmann and Smith 2005). It was previously thought to be closely allied with L. brachyurus (Angermann 1966). A recent molecular phylogenetic study does not support a close relationship to L. brachyurus, but rather indicated a close phylogenetic tie to L. yarkandensis (Wu et al. 2005). L. melainus is considered by some a distinct species (Flux and Angermann 1990). However, the Mammal Species of the World includes L. melainus as a synonym of this species (Hoffmann and Smith 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 is a widespread species that occurs in protected areas; however, efforts should be made to ascertain the population status.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	The geographic distribution of Lepus mandshuricus includes eastern China, the Ussuri region of Russia (Hoffmann and Smith 2005), and may extend into North Korea (Smith and Xie 2008). It is possibly parapatric with L. coreanus in North Korea (Hoffmann and Smith 2005). It inhabits elevations between 300-900 m (Flux and Angermann 1990).
Countries:	Native: China (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol); Russian Federation (Amur, Khabarovsk, Primorye) Presence uncertain: Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	There are currently no data regarding population for this species.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Lepus mandshuricus is a forest dwelling hare that prefers mixed forest to homogeneous conifer (Flux and Angermann 1990). This species avoids open habitat and human settlements (Flux and Angermann 1990). It is presumed that the ecology of L. mandshuricus is equivalent to that of L. americanus, its New World ecological equivalent (Angermann 1966). Litter size is usually one to two but periodically can be as high as four to five (Flux and Angermann 1990). The total length of L. mandshuricus is 41.0-54.0 cm (Smith and Xie 2008).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

Lepus mandshuricus is a forest dwelling hare that prefers mixed forest to homogeneous conifer (Flux and Angermann 1990). This species avoids open habitat and human settlements (Flux and Angermann 1990). It is presumed that the ecology of L. mandshuricus is equivalent to that of L. americanus, its New World ecological equivalent (Angermann 1966). Litter size is usually one to two but periodically can be as high as four to five (Flux and Angermann 1990). The total length of L. mandshuricus is 41.0-54.0 cm (Smith and Xie 2008).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Forest clearing results in loss of habitat for Lepus mandshuricus that promotes replacement by L. tolai (Flux and Angermann 1990).

Major Threat(s):

Forest clearing results in loss of habitat for Lepus mandshuricus that promotes replacement by L. tolai (Flux and Angermann 1990).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species occurs in Honghe, Liangshui, Xingkaihu, Laotudingzi, Baishilazi, and Sanjiang Nature Reserves (CSIS 2008). Research should be undertaken to address the lack of data regarding population for Lepus mandshuricus. Research is also needed to determine the status of habitat for this species (Flux and Angermann 1990). This species was regionally Red Listed as Least Concern in China (Wang and Xie 2004).

Conservation Actions:

This species occurs in Honghe, Liangshui, Xingkaihu, Laotudingzi, Baishilazi, and Sanjiang Nature Reserves (CSIS 2008). Research should be undertaken to address the lack of data regarding population for Lepus mandshuricus. Research is also needed to determine the status of habitat for this species (Flux and Angermann 1990). This species was regionally Red Listed as Least Concern in China (Wang and Xie 2004).

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