Lepus sinensis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	LAGOMORPHA	LEPORIDAE

Scientific Name:

Lepus sinensis

Species Authority:

Gray, 1832

Common Name/s:

English

–

Chinese Hare

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, but more information is needed to determine population and distribution status (Flux and Angermann 1990).

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species occurs in southeastern China from the Yangtse River southward. It is also found on Taiwan, with minor range in northeast Viet Nam (Hoffmann and Smith 2005). There are a few records of hares west of the range of this species and it is not known if they belong to Lepus sinensis or L. peguensis (Duckworth pers. comm.). L. sinensis can be found occupying bamboo at elevations up to 4,000-5,000 m (Smith and Xie 2008).
Countries:	Native: China (Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang); Taiwan, Province of China; Viet Nam
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	Populations of Lepus sinensis in Viet Nam are thought to be very small, with the last confirmed records from the 1990s. The species was surveyed recently in Viet Nam (by Phan Trong Anh) without detection (Do Touc pers. comm.). There are no data regarding population for the remaining distribution for this species.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Records of Lepus sinensis suggest a relatively low altitudinal distribution. This species inhabits hilly expanses with open edge grassland and scrubby vegetation (Smith and Xie 2008). The total length of L. sinensis is 35.0-45.0 cm (Smith and Xie 2008). Diet consists of leafy plants, green shoots and twigs (Smith and Xie 2008). L. sinensis is nocturnal, but is occasionally active during daylight hours (Smith and Xie 2008). The breeding season extends from April to August with an average litter size of three (Smith and Xie 2008).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

Records of Lepus sinensis suggest a relatively low altitudinal distribution. This species inhabits hilly expanses with open edge grassland and scrubby vegetation (Smith and Xie 2008). The total length of L. sinensis is 35.0-45.0 cm (Smith and Xie 2008). Diet consists of leafy plants, green shoots and twigs (Smith and Xie 2008). L. sinensis is nocturnal, but is occasionally active during daylight hours (Smith and Xie 2008). The breeding season extends from April to August with an average litter size of three (Smith and Xie 2008).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	In Viet Nam, the original range of Lepus sinensis was very small, in a heavily populated region. Habitat for this species is in decline and it is inferred from heavy hunting pressure on other species, that hunting is likely a major threat for this species in Viet Nam (Do Touk pers. comm.).

Major Threat(s):

In Viet Nam, the original range of Lepus sinensis was very small, in a heavily populated region. Habitat for this species is in decline and it is inferred from heavy hunting pressure on other species, that hunting is likely a major threat for this species in Viet Nam (Do Touk pers. comm.).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species occurs in the following nature reserves; Niumulin, Wuyishan, Nanling, Heishidingkuoyelin, Damingshan (Guangxi), Dayaoshanshuiyuanlin (Guangxi), Shiwandashan, Leigongshan, Maolan, Jiugongshan, Taoyuandong, Dongdongtinghu (Hunan), Bamianshan, Mangshan, Poyanghuhouniao, Yanquan, Taohongling, Jinggangshan, Nanjiliedao, Qingliangfeng, Tianmushan, Gutianshan, Wuyanling, and Dawuling (CSIS 2008). Research should be conducted to determine the distribution and status of Lepus sinensis to investigate possible isolation due to increasing agricultural practices (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 the following nature reserves; Niumulin, Wuyishan, Nanling, Heishidingkuoyelin, Damingshan (Guangxi), Dayaoshanshuiyuanlin (Guangxi), Shiwandashan, Leigongshan, Maolan, Jiugongshan, Taoyuandong, Dongdongtinghu (Hunan), Bamianshan, Mangshan, Poyanghuhouniao, Yanquan, Taohongling, Jinggangshan, Nanjiliedao, Qingliangfeng, Tianmushan, Gutianshan, Wuyanling, and Dawuling (CSIS 2008). Research should be conducted to determine the distribution and status of Lepus sinensis to investigate possible isolation due to increasing agricultural practices (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 sinensis. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 04 December 2008.
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