Hewitt's red rock hare (Pronolagus saundersiae) is a species of mammal in the family Leporidae. It is a medium-sized, densely-furred rufous and brown rabbit that behaves similarly to other red rock hares, with a preference for a higher-elevation rocky habitat. Previously classified as a subspecies of Smith's red rock hare (Pronolagus rupestris), it is now regarded as its own species.
Fossils of P. saundersiae are extremely sparse. Presence of its remains in archaeological studies are mentioned in lists of taxa found at a given site, but they are never described or illustrated. It has specifically appeared in localities dating back to the Late Pleistocene, but further study is warranted to clarify its first appearance.[16]
Description
P. saundersiae is a densely-furred, medium-sized (1.35–2.05 kilograms (3.0–4.5 lb)) red rock hare that is largely brown with light rufous underparts and a sandy- to red-colored tail. Its sides are slightly lighter than its back in coloration, and its head is grayish-brown with grayish-white cheeks.[17][16]
Its habitat is similar to that of other red rock hares. It occupies rocky escarpments, hillsides and kopjes,[17] residing in particular on the tops of rocky outcroppings and in higher elevations in general.[19] The tendency of P. saundersiae towards higher elevations in its habitat contributes to the separation of it from other red rock hares in areas of overlapping distribution.[19][17] Other regions Hewitt's red rock hare are found include elevated grassland and shrubland.[1]
Behavior and ecology
Hewitt's red rock hare is presumed to behave similarly to Smith's red rock hare - a nocturnal forager that shelters under boulders and in crevices.[17] It is presumed to be a folivore, preferring to eat grasses, herbs and shrubs.[20]
The population of Hewitt's red rock hare was estimated to be over 10,000 mature individuals in 2004, and the species has been considered "abundant" throughout its range. However, there are several threats to the species, many of which are anthropogenic, and declines in population are anticipated.[18]
^ abcHappold, David C. D. (2013). "Pronolagus saundersiae Hewitt's Red Rock-hare". In Happold, David C. D. (ed.). Rodents, Hares and Rabbits. Mammals of Africa. Vol. 3. London: Bloomsbury. p. 717. ISBN978-1-4081-8992-4.
^Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael, eds. (2009). "Hewitt". The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 188. ISBN9780801895333.
^ abEllerman, J. R.; Morrison-Scott, T. C. S.; Hayman, R. W. (1953). "Lagomorpha — Leporidae". Southern African Mammals 1758 to 1951: A Reclassification. London: Tonbridge. p. 221.
^Meester, J. A. J.; Rautenbach, I. L.; Dippenaar, N. J.; Baker, C. M. (1986). "Order Lagomorpha". Classification of Southern African Mammals. Transvaal Museum Monographs. Vol. 5. Transvaal Museum. pp. 298–307. hdl:10520/AJA090799001_112. ISBN0907990061.
^Robinson, T. J.; Matthee, C. A. (2005). "Phylogeny and evolutionary origins of the Leporidae: a review of cytogenetics, molecular analyses and a supermatrix analysis". Mammal Review. 35 (3–4): 241. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2907.2005.00073.x.
^ abcdefSmith, Andrew T.; Johnston, Charlotte H.; Alves, Paulo C.; Hackländer, Klaus, eds. (2018). "Pronolagus saundersiae (Hewitt, 1927) Hewitt's Red Rock Hare". Lagomorphs: Pikas, Rabbits, and Hares of the World. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN978-1-4214-2341-8. LCCN2017004268.
^ abRobinson, Terry; Child, Matthew; Matthee, Conrad; Johnston, Charlotte; Smith, Andrew (June 2018), Child, MF; Roxburgh, L; Do Linh San, E; Raimondo, D; Davies-Mostert, HT (eds.), "Pronolagus saundersiae P Stapleton, John Hewitt, 1927", The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho, South Africa: South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust
^ abcMatthee, Conrad; Wilson, Beryl; Robinson, Terry; Child, Matthew; Roxburgh, Lizanne; Smith, Andrew (January 2016), Child, MF; Roxburgh, L; Do Linh San, E; Raimondo, D; Davies-Mostert, HT (eds.), "Pronolagus crassicaudatus A Sedgwick, R Murchison, 1832", The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho, South Africa: South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust
Hewitt, John (1927). "On several new Rodents in the Albany Museum". Records of the Albany Museum. 3 (5): 430–440; Plates 26, 27.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
Collins, K. (2005). "Order Lagomorpha". In Skinner, John D.; Chimimba, Christian T. (eds.). The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 73. doi:10.1017/CBO9781107340992.013. ISBN9780521844185.