Difference between revisions of "Lagomorpha" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Sardinian Pika|Prolagidae]] (extinct)
 
[[Sardinian Pika|Prolagidae]] (extinct)
 
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}}
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'''Lagomorpha''' is an order of large-eared, terrestrial [[mammal]]s that comprises the ''rabbits''', '''hares''', and '''pikas'''. Members of the order are characterized by large ears, a second peg-like upper [[incisor]] behind the first large incisor, a single layer of enamel in the front incisors, lack of canine teeth, generally hair on the soles of the feet, and the practice of coprophagy (reingestion of feces). The two extant families are the the [[Leporidae]] ([[hare]]s and [[rabbit]]s), and the [[Ochotonidae]] ([[pika]]s). Lagomorphs are distributed widely around the world, whether as native or introduced species.
+
'''Lagomorpha''' is an order of large-eared, terrestrial [[mammal]]s that comprises the '''rabbits''', '''hares''', and '''pikas'''. Members of the order are characterized by large ears, a second peg-like upper [[incisor]] behind the primary incisor, a single layer of enamel in the front incisors, lack of canine teeth, generally hair on the soles of the feet, and the practice of coprophagy (reingestion of feces). The two extant families are the the [[Leporidae]] ([[hare]]s and [[rabbit]]s), and the [[Ochotonidae]] ([[pika]]s). Lagomorphs are distributed widely around the world, whether as native or introduced species.
  
  
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==Overview and description==
 
==Overview and description==
 +
Lagomorphs (Order Lagomorpha) can resemble [[rodent]]s and once were classified in Order [[Rodentia]]. However, even then they were separated as a distinct group, Duplicendetata, based on having a second, small, peg-like upper incisor nestling behind the first, large, continually-growing primary incisor. Rodents lack this second incisor behind the primary. In addition to having four incisors in the upper jaw, not two as in the Rodentia, lagomorphs are distinguished from rodents by being almost wholly [[Herbivore|herbivorous]], whereas many of the rodents will eat both meat and vegetation; the few recorded exceptions within the Lagomorpha occur among members of both ''[[Lepus]]'' and ''[[Ochotona]]'', and involve the occasional foraging for carrion as a supplementary winter food source (Best and Henry 1994; eNature 2007; Taiga.net). In addition, the male's [[scrotum]] is in front of the penis, unlike rodents, where it is  behind), and the penis contains no bone ([[baculum]]), unlike in rodents.
 +
 +
However, they resemble rodents in that their [[teeth]] grow throughout their life, thus necessitating constant chewing to keep them from growing too long.
 +
 +
Other physical characteristics of lagomorphs include
 +
  
  
 
The name of the order is derived from the Greek ''lagos'' (λαγος) hare and ''morphē'' (μορφή) form.
 
The name of the order is derived from the Greek ''lagos'' (λαγος) hare and ''morphē'' (μορφή) form.
  
−
Though these [[mammal]]s can resemble [[rodent]]s (order Rodentia), and were classified as a [[superfamily]] in that order until the early twentieth century, they have since been considered a separate order. For a time it was common to consider the lagomorphs only distant relatives of the rodents, to whom they merely bore a superficial resemblance.
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Though these [[mammal]]s can  
  
 
==Characteristics==
 
==Characteristics==
 
Lagomorphs differ from rodents in that:
 
Lagomorphs differ from rodents in that:
−
* they have four incisors in the upper jaw (not two, as in the Rodentia);
 
−
* they are almost wholly [[Herbivore|herbivorous]] (unlike rodents, many of which will eat both meat and vegetation; the few recorded exceptions within the Lagomorpha occur among members of both ''[[Lepus]]'' and ''[[Ochotona]]'', and involve the occasional foraging for carrion as a supplementary winter food source);<ref>{{cite web | title = Snowshoe Hare | work = eNature: FieldGuides | publisher = eNature.com | year = 2007 | url = http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?curFamilyID=556&curGroupID=5&lgfromWhere=&curPageNum=2 | format = HTML | accessdate =  2008-03-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author = Best TL, Henry TH | date = [[1994-06-02]] | title = Lepus arcticus | journal = Mammalian Species | volume = 457 | pages = 1–9 | issn = 00763519 | doi = 10.2307/3504088 | oclc = 46381503}}</ref><ref>{{cite news  | title = Column 105: Pikas are not picky eaters | url = http://www.taiga.net/yourYukon/col105.html | work = yourYukon | publisher = Environment Canada: Pacific and Yukon Region | year = 1998 | accessdate = 2008-03-23 }}</ref>
 
−
* the male's [[scrotum]] is in front of the penis (unlike rodents, which is behind); and
 
−
* the penis contains no bone ([[baculum]]), unlike in rodents.
 
  
−
However, they resemble rodents in that their [[teeth]] grow throughout their life, thus necessitating constant chewing to keep them from growing too long.
+
 
 +
 
  
 
==Classification==
 
==Classification==
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* Smith, A.T. 2004. Lagomorpha (Pikas, rabbits, and hares). Pages 479 to 489 in B. Grzimek et al., ''Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia.'' Detroit, MI: Thomson/Gale. ISBN 0787657921.
 
* Smith, A.T. 2004. Lagomorpha (Pikas, rabbits, and hares). Pages 479 to 489 in B. Grzimek et al., ''Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia.'' Detroit, MI: Thomson/Gale. ISBN 0787657921.
 +
 +
;<ref>{{cite web | title = Snowshoe Hare | work = eNature: FieldGuides | publisher = eNature.com | year = 2007 | url = http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?curFamilyID=556&curGroupID=5&lgfromWhere=&curPageNum=2 | format = HTML | accessdate =  2008-03-23}}</ref>
 +
 +
<ref>{{cite journal | author = Best TL, Henry TH | date = [[1994-06-02]] | title = Lepus arcticus | journal = Mammalian Species | volume = 457 | pages = 1–9 | issn = 00763519 | doi = 10.2307/3504088 | oclc = 46381503}}</ref>
 +
 +
<ref>{{cite news  | title = Column 105: Pikas are not picky eaters | url = http://www.taiga.net/yourYukon/col105.html | work = yourYukon | publisher = Environment Canada: Pacific and Yukon Region | year = 1998 | accessdate = 2008-03-23 }}</ref>
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Column 105  Pikas are not
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picky eaters
  
 
{{Mammals}}
 
{{Mammals}}

Revision as of 22:04, 11 January 2009

Lagomorphs[1]
Fossil range: Early Eocene–Recent
Pika, Ochotona princeps, in Sequoia National Park
Pika, Ochotona princeps, in Sequoia National Park
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Eutheria
Superorder: Euarchontoglires
Order: Lagomorpha
Brandt, 1855
Families

Leporidae
Ochotonidae
Prolagidae (extinct)

Lagomorpha is an order of large-eared, terrestrial mammals that comprises the rabbits, hares, and pikas. Members of the order are characterized by large ears, a second peg-like upper incisor behind the primary incisor, a single layer of enamel in the front incisors, lack of canine teeth, generally hair on the soles of the feet, and the practice of coprophagy (reingestion of feces). The two extant families are the the Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and the Ochotonidae (pikas). Lagomorphs are distributed widely around the world, whether as native or introduced species.


intro to Australia, etc. p. 480


Overview and description

Lagomorphs (Order Lagomorpha) can resemble rodents and once were classified in Order Rodentia. However, even then they were separated as a distinct group, Duplicendetata, based on having a second, small, peg-like upper incisor nestling behind the first, large, continually-growing primary incisor. Rodents lack this second incisor behind the primary. In addition to having four incisors in the upper jaw, not two as in the Rodentia, lagomorphs are distinguished from rodents by being almost wholly herbivorous, whereas many of the rodents will eat both meat and vegetation; the few recorded exceptions within the Lagomorpha occur among members of both Lepus and Ochotona, and involve the occasional foraging for carrion as a supplementary winter food source (Best and Henry 1994; eNature 2007; Taiga.net). In addition, the male's scrotum is in front of the penis, unlike rodents, where it is behind), and the penis contains no bone (baculum), unlike in rodents.

However, they resemble rodents in that their teeth grow throughout their life, thus necessitating constant chewing to keep them from growing too long.

Other physical characteristics of lagomorphs include


The name of the order is derived from the Greek lagos (λαγος) hare and morphē (μορφή) form.

Though these mammals can

Characteristics

Lagomorphs differ from rodents in that:


Classification

  • ORDER LAGOMORPHA[1]
    • Family Ochotonidae: pikas
      • Genus Ochotona
    • Family †Prolagidae: Sardinian Pika and other related extinct pikas
      • Genus †Prolagus
    • Family Leporidae: rabbits and hares
      • Genus Brachylagus
      • Genus Bunolagus
      • Genus Caprolagus
      • Genus Lepus
      • Genus Nesolagus
      • Genus Oryctolagus
      • Genus Pentalagus
      • Genus Poelagus
      • Genus Pronolagus
      • Genus Romerolagus
      • Genus Sylvilagus

See also

  • Minorcan Giant Lagomorph

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 R. S. Hoffmann, and A. T. Smith, "Lagomorpha," pages 185-211in D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder, eds., [Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition.. (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005). ISBN 0801882214.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Smith, A.T. 2004. Lagomorpha (Pikas, rabbits, and hares). Pages 479 to 489 in B. Grzimek et al., Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Detroit, MI: Thomson/Gale. ISBN 0787657921.
[1]

[2]

[3] Column 105 Pikas are not picky eaters

Mammals
Monotremata (platypus, echidnas)

Marsupialia: | Paucituberculata (shrew opossums) | Didelphimorphia (opossums) | Microbiotheria | Notoryctemorphia (marsupial moles) | Dasyuromorphia (quolls and dunnarts) | Peramelemorphia (bilbies, bandicoots) | Diprotodontia (kangaroos and relatives)

Placentalia: Cingulata (armadillos) | Pilosa (anteaters, sloths) | Afrosoricida (tenrecs, golden moles) | Macroscelidea (elephant shrews) | Tubulidentata (aardvark) | Hyracoidea (hyraxes) | Proboscidea (elephants) | Sirenia (dugongs, manatees) | Soricomorpha (shrews, moles) | Erinaceomorpha (hedgehogs and relatives) Chiroptera (bats) | Pholidota (pangolins)| Carnivora | Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates) | Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) | Cetacea (whales, dolphins) | Rodentia (rodents) | Lagomorpha (rabbits and relatives) | Scandentia (treeshrews) | Dermoptera (colugos) | Primates |

Extant Lagomorpha species
Family Ochotonidae
Family Leporidae

Credits

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  1. ↑ Snowshoe Hare (HTML). eNature: FieldGuides. eNature.com (2007). Retrieved 2008-03-23.
  2. ↑ Best TL, Henry TH (1994-06-02). Lepus arcticus. Mammalian Species 457: 1–9.
  3. ↑ "Column 105: Pikas are not picky eaters", yourYukon, Environment Canada: Pacific and Yukon Region. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
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