Chapter 4

Marginal records(Nelson, 1909:241).—Hidalgo: Tulancingo. Veracruz: Las Vigas; Orizaba. Oaxaca: Mt. Zempoaltepec; Suchixtepec. Guerrero: Chilpancingo. Michoacán (Hall and Villa, 1949:469). Pátzcuaro; Tancítaro.

Sylvilagus cunicularius insolitus(J. A. Allen).

1890.Lepus insolitusJ. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 3:189, December 10, type from plains of Colima, Jalisco.1909.Sylvilagus cunicularius insolitus, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:243, August 31.

1890.Lepus insolitusJ. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 3:189, December 10, type from plains of Colima, Jalisco.

1909.Sylvilagus cunicularius insolitus, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:243, August 31.

Marginal records(Nelson, 1909:244).—Sinaloa: Mazatlan; Rosario; Esquinapa. Nayarit: Acaponeta. Colima: Colima; Armeria, thence northward along Pacific Coast.

Sylvilagus cunicularius pacificus(Nelson).

1904.Lepus veraecrucis pacificusNelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 17:104, May 18, type from Acapulco, Guerrero.1909.Sylvilagus cunicularius pacificus, Lyon and Osgood, Catal. Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 62:35, January 28.

1904.Lepus veraecrucis pacificusNelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 17:104, May 18, type from Acapulco, Guerrero.

1909.Sylvilagus cunicularius pacificus, Lyon and Osgood, Catal. Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 62:35, January 28.

Marginal records(Nelson, 1909:242).—Guerrero: El Limón. Oaxaca: Llano Grande, thence westward along Pacific Coast.

1877.Lepus graysoniJ. A. Allen, Monogr. N. Amer. Rodentia, p. 347, August, type from Tres Marias Islands, Jalisco; probably María Madre Island. (See Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 14:16, April 29, 1899.)1904.Sylvilagus(Sylvilagus)graysoni, Lyon, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 45:336, June 15.

1877.Lepus graysoniJ. A. Allen, Monogr. N. Amer. Rodentia, p. 347, August, type from Tres Marias Islands, Jalisco; probably María Madre Island. (See Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 14:16, April 29, 1899.)

1904.Sylvilagus(Sylvilagus)graysoni, Lyon, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 45:336, June 15.

Marginal records(Nelson, 1909:245): María Madre Island; María Magdalena Island.

Total length, 480; tail, 51; hind foot, 99; ear from notch (dry), 57. This insular species is closely related toSylvilagus cuniculariusof the adjacent mainland but has notably shorter ears and more reddish on the upper parts, sides and legs; the skull is slenderer, especially in the rostral region. The posterior extensions of the supraorbital process are united to the braincase throughout most of their length as inSylvilagus palustris. The species seems to have a narrow vertical range, occurring from sea level up to only 200 feet.

Revised by Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:59-158, August 31, 1909. Concerning Shamel's (Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 55:25, May 12, 1942) proposed changes of names for several species, see Hall, Univ. Kansas Publ., Mus. Nat. Hist., 5:45, October 1, 1951.

1758.LepusLinnaeus, Systema Naturae, ed. 10, 1:57. TypeLepus timidusLinnaeus.1895.MacrotolagusMearns, Science, n. s., 1:698, June 21. Type,Lepus alleniMearns. (See Mearns, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 18:552, June 24, 1896.)1904.PoecilolagusLyon, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 45:395, June 15. Type,Lepus americanusErxleben.1904.LagosPalmer. N. Amer. Fauna, 23:361, January 23. Type,Lepus arcticusRoss.LagosJ. Brooks, a catalogue of the anatomical and zoological museum, pt. 1, p. 54, July, 1828, appears to be anomen nudum.1911.BoreolepusBarrett-Hamilton, History of the British Mammalia, pt. 9, p. 160, November 17. Type,Lepus groenlandicusRhoads. (For status see Sutton and Hamilton, Mem. Carnegie Mus., 12 (pt. 2, sec. 1):78, August 4, 1932; also A. H. Howell, Jour. Mamm., 17:331, November 16.)

1758.LepusLinnaeus, Systema Naturae, ed. 10, 1:57. TypeLepus timidusLinnaeus.

1895.MacrotolagusMearns, Science, n. s., 1:698, June 21. Type,Lepus alleniMearns. (See Mearns, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 18:552, June 24, 1896.)

1904.PoecilolagusLyon, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 45:395, June 15. Type,Lepus americanusErxleben.

1904.LagosPalmer. N. Amer. Fauna, 23:361, January 23. Type,Lepus arcticusRoss.LagosJ. Brooks, a catalogue of the anatomical and zoological museum, pt. 1, p. 54, July, 1828, appears to be anomen nudum.

1911.BoreolepusBarrett-Hamilton, History of the British Mammalia, pt. 9, p. 160, November 17. Type,Lepus groenlandicusRhoads. (For status see Sutton and Hamilton, Mem. Carnegie Mus., 12 (pt. 2, sec. 1):78, August 4, 1932; also A. H. Howell, Jour. Mamm., 17:331, November 16.)

Total length, 363-664; tail, 25-112; hind foot, 112-189; ear from notch (dry), 62-144. Upper parts grayish, brownish or black; interparietal bone fused to surrounding bones; cervical vertabrae long, 2nd and 3rd being longer than wide; transverse processes of lumbar vertabrae long, the longest one equal to the length of the centrum to which it is attached plus half of the length of the preceding centrum; free extremity of transverse process of lumbar vertebra considerably expanded; distance from anterior edge of acetabulum to extreme anterior point of ilium less than distance from former point to most distant point of ischium; ulna reduced in size along middle part of shaft, and, excepting the lower extremity, placed almost entirely behind radius.

All members of the genusLepusare technically hares, as these are defined in the account of the family Leporidae. The largest members of the order Lagomorpha are members of the genusLepus. No domestic strains have been developed but effort in this direction might be profitable, in as much as the so-called Belgian hares of the related genus,Oryctolagus, have done well in captivity.

In the past it has been customary to recognize two or more subgenera of the genusLepus. The species are a less diverse lot thanthose in some other genera, however, and it seems that no useful purpose is served by recognizing subgenera. Accordingly, the several names proposed for this purpose are arranged here as synonyms of the generic nameLepusLinnaeus.

The introduction of the European Hare (Lepus europaeus) into the eastern part of the North American Continent has been successful in the sense that the animal is multiplying. If it continues to increase, the increase almost certainly will be at the expense of some native species of rabbit. This circumstance and the unfortunate consequences of the introduction of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in New Zealand (see Wodzicki, 1950:107-141) and Australia (see Stead, 1925:355-358) give basis for effort to exterminate the alien species before it spreads more widely.

Key to the Species of the Genus Lepus

Fig. 44. Distribution of Lepus americanus.

Guide to subspecies:L. a. dalliL. a. macfarlaniL. a. americanusL. a. pallidusL. a. columbiensisL. a. cascadensisL. a. washingtoniL. a. klamathensisL. a. tahoensisL. a. pineusL. a. oregonusL. a. bairdiiL. a. seclususL. a. phaenotusL. a. struthopusL. a. virginianus

Guide to subspecies:

Total length, 363-520; tail, 25-55; hind foot, 112-150; ear from notch (dry), 62-70. Upper parts brownish or dusky grayish; hind feet brownish or white depending on subspecies; winter pelage white except in certain populations along Pacific Coast; basilar length less than 67; first upper incisors inscribing an arc of a circlethe radius of which is less than 9.6 mm. There are two to six young in a litter according to Orr (1940:59).

Lepus americanus americanusErxleben.

1777. [Lepus]americanusErxleben, Systema Regni Animalis ..., 1:330, type locality Hudson Bay, Canada.1778.Lepus hudsoniusPallas, Glires, p. 30, type locality not stated.1790.Lepus nanusSchreber, Säugethiere, 4:880-885, pl. 234B, a composite ofLepus americanusandSylvilagus floridanus. No type or type locality designated. Range given as from Hudson Bay to Florida.1899.Lepus bishopiJ. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 12:11, March 4, type from Mill Lake, Turtle Mts., North Dakota (inseparable fromL. a. americanusaccording to V. Bailey, N. Amer. Fauna, 49:138, January 8, 1927 [not December, 1926]).

1777. [Lepus]americanusErxleben, Systema Regni Animalis ..., 1:330, type locality Hudson Bay, Canada.

1778.Lepus hudsoniusPallas, Glires, p. 30, type locality not stated.

1790.Lepus nanusSchreber, Säugethiere, 4:880-885, pl. 234B, a composite ofLepus americanusandSylvilagus floridanus. No type or type locality designated. Range given as from Hudson Bay to Florida.

1899.Lepus bishopiJ. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 12:11, March 4, type from Mill Lake, Turtle Mts., North Dakota (inseparable fromL. a. americanusaccording to V. Bailey, N. Amer. Fauna, 49:138, January 8, 1927 [not December, 1926]).

Marginal records(Nelson, 1909:89, unless otherwise noted).—Keewatin: Hudson Bay (Anderson, 1947:100). Ontario: Fort Severn (Nelson, 1909:88); around shore of Hudson Bay to approximately 56° N thence to Ungava: Fort Chimo. Labrador: Hamilton Inlet. Ontario: North Bay of Lake Nipissing; Michipicoten Island; Isle Royal (Anderson, 1947:100). Manitoba: Dog Lake. Saskatchewan: Indian Head. North Dakota (V. Bailey, 1927:139): Mill Lake, Turtle Mts.; Grafton; "near" Fargo; Elbowoods; Buford. Saskatchewan: Battle Creek (Soper, 1946:149). Alberta: Red Deer; 50 mi. N Edmonton; Fort Chipewyan; Govt. Hay Camp, Slave River (Soper, 1942:140).

Lepus americanus bairdiiHayden.

1869.Lepus bairdiiHayden, Amer. Nat., 3:115, May, type locality Columbia Valley, Wind River Mts., Fremont County, Wyoming.1875. [Lepus americanus] var.bairdii, J. A. Allen, Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 17:431, February 17.

1869.Lepus bairdiiHayden, Amer. Nat., 3:115, May, type locality Columbia Valley, Wind River Mts., Fremont County, Wyoming.

1875. [Lepus americanus] var.bairdii, J. A. Allen, Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 17:431, February 17.

Marginal records.—British Columbia: Elko (Anderson, 1947:100); Waterton Lakes Nat'l Park (ibid.). Montana (Nelson, 1909:112): Fort Benton; Big Snowy Mts. Wyoming: 5 mi. E and 9 mi. N Pinedale (15924 KU); 3 mi. ESE Browns Peak (17603 KU). Colorado: Boulder Co. (Nelson, 1909:112). New Mexico: 10,500 ft., Agua Fria Mtn. (Hill, 1942:82); Pecos Baldy (V. Bailey, 1932:45); Chama (ibid.). Utah (Durrant, MS unless otherwise noted): 18 mi. SE Manila;30 mi. N Fort Duchesne;23 mi. N Fruitland; 21 mi. N Escalante; 10 mi. E Marysvale; City Creek Canyon, Salt Lake City (Barnes, 1927:145). Idaho (Dalquest, 1942:181): Pocatello;Payette; Cuddy Mtn.;Weippe; Bitterroot Valley.British Columbia: Newgate(Anderson, 1947:100).

Lepus americanus cascadensisNelson.

1907.Lepus bairdi cascadensisNelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 20:87, December 11, type from Roab's ranch, near Hope, British Columbia.1935.Lepus americanus cascadensis, Racey and Cowan, Rep't Prov. Mus. British Columbia, 1935:H28.

1907.Lepus bairdi cascadensisNelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 20:87, December 11, type from Roab's ranch, near Hope, British Columbia.

1935.Lepus americanus cascadensis, Racey and Cowan, Rep't Prov. Mus. British Columbia, 1935:H28.

Marginal records(Dalquest, 1942:177, unless otherwise noted).—British Columbia: type locality; Fairview-Keremeos Summit (Anderson, 1947:101). Washington: Lake Chelan; Trout Lake; Vance;Mt. Rainier; Entiat River, 20 mi. from mouth. British Columbia: Alta Lake.

Lepus americanus columbiensisRhoads.

1895.Lepus americanus columbiensisRhoads, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, p. 242, July 2, type from Vernon, British Columbia.

Marginal records.—Alberta: Banff Nat'l Park (Anderson, 1947:101); Jasper Nat'l Park (ibid.). British Columbia: Creston (Dalquest, 1942:182). Washington: Republic (Dalquest, 1948:385); Moulson (Dalquest, 1942:182). British Columbia: Cottonwood Post Office (Dalquest, 1942:182); Indianpoint Lake (ibid.).

Lepus americanus dalliMerriam.

1900.Lepus americanus dalliMerriam, Proc. Washington Acad. Sci., 2:29, March 14, type from Nulato, Alaska.

Marginal records.—Noatak River (Bailey and Hendee, 1926:21); Upper St. John River (Rausch, 1950:466); Koyukuk (Nelson, 1909:102); Anvik (ibid.); Yukon Delta (ibid.); thence northerly, in suitable habitat, along coast to Noatak River.

Lepus americanus klamathensisMerriam.

1899.Lepus klamathensisMerriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 16:100, October 28, type from head of Wood River, near Fort Klamath, Klamath County, Oregon.1936.Lepus americanus klamathensis, V. Bailey, N. Amer. Fauna, 55:95, August 29.

1899.Lepus klamathensisMerriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 16:100, October 28, type from head of Wood River, near Fort Klamath, Klamath County, Oregon.

1936.Lepus americanus klamathensis, V. Bailey, N. Amer. Fauna, 55:95, August 29.

Marginal records.—Oregon (Dalquest, 1942:176): Mt. Hood; mouth Davis Creek. California (Orr, 1940:53): vicinity Fort Bidwell; 3000 ft., Rush Creek, 12 mi. from [N of] Weaverville.Oregon: Estacada(Dalquest, 1942:176).

Lepus americanus macfarlaniMerriam.

1900.Lepus americanus macfarlaniMerriam, Proc. Washington Acad. Sci., 2:30, March 14, type from Fort Anderson, near mouth of Anderson River, Mackenzie.1900.Lepus saliensOsgood, N. Amer. Fauna, 19:39, October 6, type from Caribou Crossing, between Lake Bennett and Lake Tagish, Yukon.1907. ?Lepus niedieckiMatschie, Niedieck's Kreuzfahrten im Beringmeer, p. 240, type locality Kasilof Lake, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.

1900.Lepus americanus macfarlaniMerriam, Proc. Washington Acad. Sci., 2:30, March 14, type from Fort Anderson, near mouth of Anderson River, Mackenzie.

1900.Lepus saliensOsgood, N. Amer. Fauna, 19:39, October 6, type from Caribou Crossing, between Lake Bennett and Lake Tagish, Yukon.

1907. ?Lepus niedieckiMatschie, Niedieck's Kreuzfahrten im Beringmeer, p. 240, type locality Kasilof Lake, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.

Marginal records(Nelson, 1909:100, unless otherwise noted).—Mackenzie: type locality; Fort Franklin; Fort Rae; Fort Resolution; Fort Smith. British Columbia: Peace River and Alaska Highway (Anderson, 1947:101); Bennett. Alaska: Cordova (Philip, 1939:84); Mills Creek (ibid.); Lake Clark; E. Fork Kuskokwim River (Dice, 1921:27); head N. Fork Kuskokwim (ibid.); Fort Yukon. Yukon: Russell Mts.

Lepus americanus oregonusOrr.

1934.Lepus bairdii oregonusOrr, Jour. Mamm., 15:152, May 15, type from 12 mi. S Canyon City, 5500 ft., Grant County, Oregon.1942.Lepus americanus oregonus, Dalquest, Jour. Mamm., 23:179, June 3.

1934.Lepus bairdii oregonusOrr, Jour. Mamm., 15:152, May 15, type from 12 mi. S Canyon City, 5500 ft., Grant County, Oregon.

1942.Lepus americanus oregonus, Dalquest, Jour. Mamm., 23:179, June 3.

Marginal records.—Oregon (Dalquest, 1942:180): 22 mi. N Enterprise;Wallowa Lake;summit of Blue Mts.; Ochoco Nat'l Forest, Harney County.

1938.Lepus americanus pallidusCowan, Jour. Mamm., 19:242, May 12, type from Chezacut Lake, Chiloctin River, British Columbia.

Lepus americanus pallidusCowan.

Marginal records.—British Columbia: 23 mi. N Hazelton (Dalquest, 1942:183); Berg Lake (ibid.); Quesnel (Cowan, 1938:243); Lac La Hache (ibid.); Bonaparte River, 5 days N Ashcroft (Dalquest, 1942:183); Kimsquit, Dean Channel (Anderson, 1947:102); Hazelton (Dalquest, 1942:183).

Lepus americanus phaeonotusJ. A. Allen.

1899.Lepus americanus phaeonotusJ. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 12:11, March 4, type from Hallock, Kittson County, Minnesota.

Marginal records(Nelson, 1909:96, unless otherwise noted).—Manitoba: Selkirk Settlement. Ontario: Lake of the Woods (Anderson, 1947:102); Rainy Lake. Michigan: Houghton; Chippewa County (Burt, 1946:244); Presque Isle County (ibid.); Wayne County (ibid.); Jackson County (ibid.); Allegan County (ibid.). Wisconsin: Rhinelander; St. Croix River, Douglas Co. Minnesota: Elk River; Moores Lake; Warren; St. Vincent. Saskatchewan: Glen Ewen (Soper, 1946:149). Manitoba: Carberry (Anderson, 1947:102).

Lepus americanus pineusDalquest.

1942.Lepus americanus pineusDalquest, Jour. Mamm., 23:178, June 3, type from Cedar Mtn., Latah County, Idaho.

Marginal records.—British Columbia (Anderson, 1947:102): Trail; Nelson Range south of Creston. Idaho (Dalquest, 1942:179): 5 mi. W Cocolalla; Troy. Washington (Dalquest, 1942:179): Blue Mts., Columbia County;Marcus.British Columbia:Rossland(Anderson, 1947:102).

Lepus americanus seclususBaker and Hankins.

1950.Lepus americanus seclususBaker and Hankins, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 63:63, May 25, type from 12 mi. E and 2 mi. N Shell, 7900 ft., Bighorn Mts., Big Horn County, Wyoming. Type locality is only precise locality.

Lepus americanus struthopusBangs.

1898.Lepus americanus struthopusBangs, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 12:81, March 24, type from Digby, Nova Scotia.

Marginal records(Nelson, 1909:92, unless otherwise noted).—Newfoundland (introduced in 1864): Bay of Islands; Bay of St. George. Nova Scotia: type locality. Maine: Bucksport. Quebec: south of St. Lawrence River (Anderson, 1947:102). New Brunswick: Andover. Prince Edward Island: Alberton. Quebec: Grosse Isle, Magdalen Islands.

Lepus americanus tahoensisOrr.

1933.Lepus washingtonii tahoensisOrr, Jour. Mamm., 14:54, February 14, type from 1/2 mi. S Tahoe Tavern, Placer County, California.1942. [Lepus americanus]tahoensis, Dalquest, Jour. Mamm., 23:176, June 3.

1933.Lepus washingtonii tahoensisOrr, Jour. Mamm., 14:54, February 14, type from 1/2 mi. S Tahoe Tavern, Placer County, California.

1942. [Lepus americanus]tahoensis, Dalquest, Jour. Mamm., 23:176, June 3.

Marginal records.—California: vic. Mineral (Orr, 1940:56). Nevada: 350 yards NE junction of Nevada state line and N shore Lake Tahoe (Hall, 1946:601). California: Niagara Creek (Orr, 1940:55); Cisco (Orr, 1940:56).

Lepus americanus virginianusHarlan.

1825.Lepus virginianusHarlan, Fauna Americana, p. 196, type locality Blue Mountains, northeast of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.1875.Lepus americanusvar.virginianus, J. A. Allen, Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 17:431, February 17.1825.Lepus wardiiSchinz, Das Thierreich ..., 4:428, based on the varying hare of the southern part of the United States (Warden, D. B., in A statistical, political, and historical account of the United States of North America ..., 1:233, 1819).1845.Lepus borealisSchinz, Synopsis Mammalium, 2:286-287. No type or type locality mentioned. From Virginia and the Alleghenies.

1825.Lepus virginianusHarlan, Fauna Americana, p. 196, type locality Blue Mountains, northeast of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

1875.Lepus americanusvar.virginianus, J. A. Allen, Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 17:431, February 17.

1825.Lepus wardiiSchinz, Das Thierreich ..., 4:428, based on the varying hare of the southern part of the United States (Warden, D. B., in A statistical, political, and historical account of the United States of North America ..., 1:233, 1819).

1845.Lepus borealisSchinz, Synopsis Mammalium, 2:286-287. No type or type locality mentioned. From Virginia and the Alleghenies.

Marginal records(Nelson, 1909:94, unless otherwise noted).—Quebec (Anderson, 1947:103): Ottawa River; Megantic County. Maine:Greenville(Nelson, 1909:95); Sebec Lake (ibid.); Mt. Desert Island (Manville, 1942:397).Massachusetts:Concord;Middleboro.Rhode Island:Washington County. New York: Locust Grove. Pennsylvania: type locality. Tennessee: White Rock (Kellogg, 1939:289). Ohio: Ashtabula Co. (Bole and Moulthrop, 1942:174). Ontario: Holland Riv. (Snyder and Logier, 1930:180).

Lepus americanus washingtoniiBaird.

1855.Lepus washingtoniiBaird, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 7:333, type from Steilacoom, Washington.1875.Lepus americanusvar.washingtoni, J. A. Allen, Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 18:431, February 17.

1855.Lepus washingtoniiBaird, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 7:333, type from Steilacoom, Washington.

1875.Lepus americanusvar.washingtoni, J. A. Allen, Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 18:431, February 17.

Marginal records(Dalquest, 1942:175, unless otherwise noted).—British Columbia (Nelson, 1909:107): Sumas; Chilliwack. Washington:Mt. Vernon; Lake Kapowsin; White Salmon. Oregon: Drew; Florence;Tillamook. Washington: Sekiu River.

Total length, 565-690; tail, 53-104; hind foot, 147-189; ear from notch (dry), 75-78. Color brownish in summer; white in winter; but tips of ears always black. General comparisons indicate that this is the species which, in Eurasia, bears the nameLepus timidus.

Lepus othus othusMerriam.

1900.Lepus othusMerriam, Proc. Washington Acad. Sci., 2:28, March 14, type from St. Michael, Norton Sound, Alaska.

Marginal records.—Alaska (A. H. Howell, 1936:334): Kotzebue Sound; mts. NW Nulato River; Akiak; 75 mi. below Bethel; thence N along coast.

Lepus othus poadromusMerriam.

1900.Lepus poadromusMerriam, Proc. Washington Acad. Sci., 2:29, March 14, type from Stepovak Bay, Alaska Peninsula, Alaska.1936.Lepus othus poadromus, A. H. Howell, Jour. Mamm., 17:334, November 16.

1900.Lepus poadromusMerriam, Proc. Washington Acad. Sci., 2:29, March 14, type from Stepovak Bay, Alaska Peninsula, Alaska.

1936.Lepus othus poadromus, A. H. Howell, Jour. Mamm., 17:334, November 16.

Marginal records.—Alaska (A. H. Howell, 1936:335): Nushagak; Kawatna Bay, Shelikof Strait;Cold Bay;Chignik;type locality;Sand Point; 15 mi. W Pavlof Mtn.

Revised by A. H. Howell, Jour. Mamm., 17:315-332, November 16, 1936. For the taxonomic status of the technical namesarcticusandglacialissee Rhoads, Amer. Nat., 30:234-235, March, 1896; Merriam, Science, n. s., 3:564-565, April 10, 1896; Rhoads, Science, n. s., 3:843-845, June 5, 1896; Merriam, Science, n. s., 3:845, June 5, 1896.

Total length, 480-678; tail, 34-80; hind foot, 132-174; ear from notch (dry), 70-84. Upper parts gray in summer in southern subspecies; in others white; in winter white in all subspecies, except black tips of ears. Weights of lean individuals reach 12 pounds. Hopping on the hind feet without touching the forefeet to the ground has repeatedly been recorded for this species. There are four to eight young in a litter.

Fig. 45. Distribution of Lepus othus and Lepus arcticus.L. o. othusL. o. poadromusL. a. groenlandicusL. a. porsildiL. a. monstrabilisL. a. arcticusL. a. andersoniL. a. labradoriusL. a. bangsi

Lepus arcticus arcticusRoss.

1819.Lepus arcticusRoss, Voyage of Discovery, ed. 2, vol. 2, appendix 4, p. 151, type locality Possession Bay, Bylot Island, lat. 73° 37´ N.1819.Lepus glacialisLeach, in Ross, Voyage of Discovery, ed. 2, vol. 2, p. 170, type locality same as forLepus arcticusRoss.

1819.Lepus arcticusRoss, Voyage of Discovery, ed. 2, vol. 2, appendix 4, p. 151, type locality Possession Bay, Bylot Island, lat. 73° 37´ N.

1819.Lepus glacialisLeach, in Ross, Voyage of Discovery, ed. 2, vol. 2, p. 170, type locality same as forLepus arcticusRoss.

Marginal records.—Franklin: type locality; Egukjuak, 8 mi. E Pond Inlet, Baffin Island (A. H. Howell, 1936:322); W coast Baffin Island, 67° 30´ (Anderson, 1947:96); Winter Island, Melville Peninsula (A. H. Howell, 1936:321); Repulse Bay, Melville Peninsula (ibid.)

Lepus arcticus andersoniNelson.

1934.Lepus arcticus andersoniNelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 47:85, March 8, type from Cape Barrow, Coronation Gulf, Northwest Territory.

Marginal records(A. H. Howell, 1936:328).—Franklin: Cape Kellett, Banks Island; Cambridge Bay, Victoria Island. Mackenzie: Bathurst Inlet; Backs River near Lake Beechey; Lake Hanbury; Fort Rae; Fort Anderson.

Lepus arcticus bangsiiRhoads.

1896.Lepus arcticus bangsiiRhoads, Amer. Nat., 30:253[=236 of March issue], author's separates (preprints) published February 20, 1896, type from Codroy, Newfoundland.

Marginal records(A. H. Howell, 1936:327).—Labrador: Hopedale; Makkovik. Newfoundland: Saint Johns; type locality; Mt. St. Gregory.

Lepus arcticus groenlandicusRhoads.

1896.Lepus groenlandicusRhoads, Amer. Nat., 30:254(=237 of March issue), author's separates (preprints) issued February 20, type from Robertson Bay, NW Greenland.1934. [Lepus arcticus]groenlandicus, Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 47:83, March 8.1912.Boreolepus groenlandicus, Barrett-Hamilton, Hist. British Mammals, pt. 12, p. 298, October.1930.Lepus variabilis hyperboreusPedersen, Medd. om Grönland, 77:363, no type or type locality designated but name applied to hares of east Greenland in the general vicinity of Scoresby Sound (preoccupied byLepus hyperboreasPallas, Zoogeographica Rosso Asiatica, 1:152, 1831, a species ofOchotona).1934.Lepus arcticus persimilisNelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 47:84, March 8, type from S side Clavering Island, east Greenland.

1896.Lepus groenlandicusRhoads, Amer. Nat., 30:254(=237 of March issue), author's separates (preprints) issued February 20, type from Robertson Bay, NW Greenland.

1934. [Lepus arcticus]groenlandicus, Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 47:83, March 8.

1912.Boreolepus groenlandicus, Barrett-Hamilton, Hist. British Mammals, pt. 12, p. 298, October.

1930.Lepus variabilis hyperboreusPedersen, Medd. om Grönland, 77:363, no type or type locality designated but name applied to hares of east Greenland in the general vicinity of Scoresby Sound (preoccupied byLepus hyperboreasPallas, Zoogeographica Rosso Asiatica, 1:152, 1831, a species ofOchotona).

1934.Lepus arcticus persimilisNelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 47:84, March 8, type from S side Clavering Island, east Greenland.

Marginal records.—Greenland (A. H. Howell, 1936:331): Cape Alexander; on east coast to Francis Joseph Fiord; on west coast toNugsuak Peninsula; Disko Island; Holsteinsborg.

Lepus arcticus labradoriusMiller.

1899.Lepus labradoriusMiller, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 13:39, May 29, type from Fort Chimo, Ungava, Canada.1924.Lepus arcticus labradorius, G. M. Allen and Copeland, Jour. Mamm., 5:12, February 9.1902.Lepus arcticus canusPreble, N. Amer. Fauna, 22:59, October 31, type from Hubbart Point, W coast Hudson Bay, Keewatin.

1899.Lepus labradoriusMiller, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 13:39, May 29, type from Fort Chimo, Ungava, Canada.

1924.Lepus arcticus labradorius, G. M. Allen and Copeland, Jour. Mamm., 5:12, February 9.

1902.Lepus arcticus canusPreble, N. Amer. Fauna, 22:59, October 31, type from Hubbart Point, W coast Hudson Bay, Keewatin.

Marginal records(A. H. Howell, 1936:323).—Franklin: Pangnirtung Fiord; Nunata, Kingua Fiord; Cumberland Sound, Blacklead Island; Weddell Harbor, Frobisher Bay. Labrador: Ramah; Solomons Island, near Davis Inlet. Quebec:type locality; Great Whale River, Hudson Bay; Belcher Islands. Manitoba: Fort Churchill;Hubbart Point. Keewatin: Cape Fullerton; Southampton Island. Franklin:Cape Dorset; Camp Kungovik, W coast Baffin Island, 65° 35´ N lat.;Nettilling Fiord.

Lepus arcticus monstrabilisNelson.

1934.Lepus arcticus monstrabilisNelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 47:85, March 8, type from Buchanan Bay, Ellesmere Island.

Marginal records.—Franklin (A. H. Howell, 1936:329): Cape Sheridan; Craig Harbor; Dundas Harbor, Devon Island.

Lepus arcticus porsildiNelson.

1934.Lepus arcticus porsildiNelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 47:83, March 8, type from near Julianehaab, 61° 20´ N lat., Greenland.

Marginal records.—Greenland (A. H. Howell, 1936:332): Sukkertoppen;Neria, 61° 36´ N lat.; 60° 42´ N lat.

Total length, 565-655; tail, 66-112; hind foot, 145-172; ear from notch (dry), 96-113. Upper parts grayish brown; tail all white or with dusky or buffy mid-dorsal stripe which does not extend onto back; white in winter in northern parts of its range. Two adult males weighed 2945 and 2494 grams (Orr, 1940:43) and there are 3 to 6 young in a litter.

Fig. 46. Distribution of Lepus townsendii.Lepus townsendii townsendiiLepus townsendii campanius

Lepus townsendii campaniusHollister.

1837.Lepus campestrisBachman, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 7:349, not of Meyer, 1790; type locality plains of the Saskatchewan, probably near Carlton House.1915.Lepus townsendii campaniusHollister, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 28:70, March 12.

1837.Lepus campestrisBachman, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 7:349, not of Meyer, 1790; type locality plains of the Saskatchewan, probably near Carlton House.

1915.Lepus townsendii campaniusHollister, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 28:70, March 12.

Marginal records(Nelson, 1909:78, unless otherwise noted).—Saskatchewan: Indian Head (Nelson, 1909:77). Manitoba: Carberry (ibid.). Ontario: Rainy River (Anderson, 1947:100). Minnesota (Swanson, Surber and Roberts, 1945:97): Polk County; Otter Tail County; Sherburne County: Washington County. Illinois: Blanding, 6 mi. WNW Hanover (Hoffmeister, 1948:1). Kansas: Red Fork, 60 mi. W Fort Riley; Greensburg (Brown, 1940:387). New Mexico: "near" Taos (V. Bailey, 1932:47); Hopewell. Colorado: Antonito; Fort Garland; Villa Grove; Salida; Como;Denver; Mt. Whitely, 25 mi. N Kremmling. Wyoming: Spring Creek; Big Piney; head Glenn Creek, Yellowstone Nat'l Park. Alberta: Great Plains region (Anderson, 1947:99).

Lepus townsendii townsendiiBachman.

1839.Lepus townsendiiBachman, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 8(pt. 1):90, pl. 2, type from Fort Walla Walla, near present town of Wallula, Walla Walla County, Washington.1904.Lepus campestris sierraeMerriam, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 17:132, July 14, type from 7800 ft., Hope Valley, Alpine County, California. Regarded as inseparable fromL. t. townsendiiby Orr, Occas. Papers, California Acad. Sci., 19:42, May 25, 1940.

1839.Lepus townsendiiBachman, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 8(pt. 1):90, pl. 2, type from Fort Walla Walla, near present town of Wallula, Walla Walla County, Washington.

1904.Lepus campestris sierraeMerriam, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 17:132, July 14, type from 7800 ft., Hope Valley, Alpine County, California. Regarded as inseparable fromL. t. townsendiiby Orr, Occas. Papers, California Acad. Sci., 19:42, May 25, 1940.

Marginal records(Nelson, 1909:82, unless otherwise noted).—British Columbia: Fairview, Okanagan Valley. Idaho: Rathdrum Prairie (Rust, 1946:322); Lemhi River; Teton Basin. Wyoming: Hamsfork; Henrys Fork. Colorado: Hot Sulphur Springs; Mt. Baldy; Crested Butte; Mill City. Utah: Kanab. Nevada (Hall, 1946:600): Hamilton; Desatoya Mts.; Santa Rosa Mts. California: Parker Creek, 6300 ft., Warner Mts. Nevada (Hall, 1946:600): 8600 ft., 3 mi. S Mt. Rose; 8900 ft., Lapon Canyon, Mt. Grant; Mt. Magruder. California (Orr, 1940:43): Tuolumne Meadows; Woodfords; Tahoe City; 4700 ft., Steele Meadows. Oregon: Antelope. Washington: Manson (Dalquest, 1948:382).

Total length, 465-630; tail, 50-112; hind foot, 112-145; ear from notch (dry), 99-131. Upper parts gray to blackish; tail with black mid-dorsal stripe extending onto back; never all white in winter. On the tableland of Mexico and in the southwestern United States where this species occurs together with the white-sided jack rabbits,L. californicuscan be recognized by the terminal black patch on the outside of each ear and by the less extensive area of white on the flank. To the eastward, in Tamaulipas, where only the black-tailed jack rabbit occurs, it too, has extensively white flanks and some individuals lack the terminal black patch on the ear.

A certain means for distinguishing the skulls of the black-tailed jack rabbit from those of all of the white-sided jack rabbits has not yet been found. The same is true of the skulls of the white-tailed jack rabbit and the black-tailed jack rabbit in the Great Basin region of Nevada. The skulls, at least of adults, of these two species, in theregion east of the Rocky Mountains can be readily distinguished by the pattern of infolding of the enamel on the front of the first upper incisor teeth;L. townsendiihas a simple groove on the anterior face of the tooth andL. californicus, east of the Rocky Mountains, has a bifurcation, or even trifurcation, of the infold that can readily be seen by examining the occlusal surface of the incisor.

In Arizona, Vorhies and Taylor (1933:478) found the weight of 23 adult males to average 5.1 (4.4-6.1) lbs. In that state, 70 pregnant females averaged 2.24 (1-6) young per litter and the authors (op. cit.) thought that a female had three or four litters each year.

Lepus californicus altamiraeNelson.

1904.Lepus merriami altamiraeNelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 17:109, May 18, type from Alta Mira, Tamaulipas. Known from type locality only.1951.Lepus californicus altamirae, Hall, Univ. Kansas Publ., Mus. Nat. Hist., 5:45, October 1, 1951.

1904.Lepus merriami altamiraeNelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 17:109, May 18, type from Alta Mira, Tamaulipas. Known from type locality only.

1951.Lepus californicus altamirae, Hall, Univ. Kansas Publ., Mus. Nat. Hist., 5:45, October 1, 1951.

Lepus californicus asellusMiller.

1899.Lepus asellusMiller, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia, p. 380, September 29, type from San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí.1909.Lepus californicus asellus, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:150, August 31.

1899.Lepus asellusMiller, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia, p. 380, September 29, type from San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí.

1909.Lepus californicus asellus, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:150, August 31.

Marginal records(Nelson, 1909:151).—Coahuila: Jaral. Nuevo Leon: Miquihuana. San Luis Potosí: Río Verde. Aguascalientes: Chicalote. Zacatecas: Valparaiso.

Lepus californicus bennettiiGray.

1844.Lepus bennettiiGray, Zoology Voy.Sulphur, p. 35, pl. 14, type from San Diego, San Diego County, California.1909.Lepus californicus bennetti, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:136, August 31.

1844.Lepus bennettiiGray, Zoology Voy.Sulphur, p. 35, pl. 14, type from San Diego, San Diego County, California.

1909.Lepus californicus bennetti, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:136, August 31.

Marginal records.—California: Mt. Piños (Orr, 1940:73); Arroyo Seco, Pasadena (Orr, 1940:74); San Felipe Valley (ibid.); Jacumba (Nelson, 1909:137), Baja California: San Quintín (Nelson, 1909:137). Northward along coast at least to California: Montalvo (Orr, 1940:73).

Lepus californicus californicusGray.

1837.Lepus californicaGray, Charlesworth's Mag. Nat. Hist., 1:586, type from "St. Antoine," California (probably on coastal slope of mts. near the Mission of San Antonio, Jolon, Monterey County).1926.Lepus californicus vigilaxDice, Occas. Papers Mus. Zool., Univ. Michigan, 166:11, February 11, type from Balls Ferry, Shasta County, California.

1837.Lepus californicaGray, Charlesworth's Mag. Nat. Hist., 1:586, type from "St. Antoine," California (probably on coastal slope of mts. near the Mission of San Antonio, Jolon, Monterey County).

1926.Lepus californicus vigilaxDice, Occas. Papers Mus. Zool., Univ. Michigan, 166:11, February 11, type from Balls Ferry, Shasta County, California.

Marginal records.—Oregon (Nelson, 1909:132): Drain; Grants Pass. California (Orr, 1940:68-69): Callahan, Scott River; 3300 ft, Lymans, NW of Lyonsville; Dry Creek, Oroville-Chico Road; Snelling; Hernandez; Morro;Carmel Point;Bolinas Bay;Freestone;Sherwood;Ferndale; 3 mi. W Arcata. Oregon: Rogue River Valley (Nelson, 1909:132).

Lepus californicus curtiHall.

1951.Lepus californicus curtiHall, Univ. Kansas Publ., Mus. Nat. Hist., 5:42, October 1, 1951, type from 88 mi. S and 10 mi. W Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Known from type locality only.

Fig. 47. Distribution of Lepus californicus and Lepus insularis.

L. c. wallawallaL. c. californicusL. c. deserticolaL. c. richardsoniiL. c. bennettiiL. c. martirensisL. c. xantiL. c. sheldoniL. c. magdalenaeL. c. eremicusL. c. texianusL. c. melanotisL. c. merriamiL. c. asellusL. c. festinusL. c. altamiraeL. c. curtiL. insularis

Lepus californicus deserticolaMearns.

1896.Lepus texianus deserticolaMearns, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 18:564, June 24, type from western edge Colorado Desert, at base of Coast Range Mts., Imperial County, California.1909.Lepus californicus deserticola, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:137, August 31.1932.Lepus californicus depressusHall and Whitlow, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 45:71, April 2, type from 1/2 mi. S. Pocatello, Bannock County, Idaho. (Regarded as inseparable fromL. c. deserticolaby Davis, The Recent Mammals of Idaho, p. 359, April 5, 1939.)

1896.Lepus texianus deserticolaMearns, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 18:564, June 24, type from western edge Colorado Desert, at base of Coast Range Mts., Imperial County, California.

1909.Lepus californicus deserticola, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:137, August 31.

1932.Lepus californicus depressusHall and Whitlow, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 45:71, April 2, type from 1/2 mi. S. Pocatello, Bannock County, Idaho. (Regarded as inseparable fromL. c. deserticolaby Davis, The Recent Mammals of Idaho, p. 359, April 5, 1939.)

Marginal records(Nelson, 1909:140, unless otherwise noted).—Idaho (Davis, 1939:360): Boise River; Sawtooth Nat'l Forest; Arco; Blackfoot. Utah: Ogden; Provo; Loa. Arizona: San Francisco Mtn.; Fort Whipple; Phoenix; Rancho Bonito, Abra Valley (Huey, 1942:362). Sonora: El Doctor. Baja California: Calamahue; Esperanza Canyon. California (Orr, 1940-76): Coyote Wells; Kenworthy; Victorville; Farrington Ranch; 5 mi. SW Lone Pine; 10,000 ft., head Silver Canyon; Mono Mills; 5600 ft., near Woodfords. Nevada (Hall, 1946:606): Sutcliffe; 3/4 mi. S Sulphur. Idaho: 6 mi. S Murphy (Davis, 1939:360).

Lepus californicus eremicusJ. A. Allen.

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