Lagomorpha

Lagomorphs Fossil range: Early Eocene–Recent PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
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 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 (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

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

Though these mammals can resemble rodents (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.

Characteristics

Lagomorphs differ from rodents in that:

• they have four incisors in the upper jaw (not two, as in the Rodentia);
• they are almost wholly 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);
• 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

• ORDER LAGOMORPHA
  • 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

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Hoffmann, R. S., and A. T. Smith. 2005. Pages 185-211 in D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder, eds., [Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition.. Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0801882214.

• 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.

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