Sylvilagus robustus (Bailey, 1905)

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Leporidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 107-148 : 124

27.

Robust Cottontail

Sylvilagus robustus

French: Lapin des Davis / German: Texas-Baumwollschwanzkaninchen / Spanish: Conejo de Davis

Taxonomy. Lepus pinetis robustus Bailey, 1905 ,

“Davis Mountains, Texas, 6000 feet [1829 m] altitude,” USA .

Formerly, S. robustus was included in S. floridanus but received species status based on morphological and genetic distinctiveness. Genetic analyses confirmed species status based on nDNA only. Monotypic.

Distribution. S USA, in SE New Mexico and SW Texas (Chisos, Davis, Chinati, Guadalupe, and Elephant Mts), and NE Mexico, in N Coahuila (Sierra del Carmen).

Descriptive notes. Head—body 380-460 mm, tail 47-67 mm, ear 70-80 mm, hindfoot 95-103 mm; weight 0.9-1.8 kg. The Robust Cottontail is larger and darker than the widely distributed Eastern Cottontail (S. floridanus ).

Habitat. Madrean evergreen woodland of pine ( Pinus , Pinaceae ), oak ( Quercus , Fagaceae ), and juniper ( Juniperus , Cupressaceae ). The Robust Cottontail inhabits elevations above 1500 m and becomes most common above 1800 m. Its days are spent resting in brushy thickets.

Food and Feeding. The Robust Cottontail feeds in open areas on grasses, leaves of mountain mahogany ( Cercocarpus , Rosaceae ), and various herbs.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. The Robust Cottontail emerges from brushy thickets to forage late in the evening or early in the morning.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Although it has been suggested that only one population of the Robust Cottontail exists in the Davis Mountains, Texas, recent surveys confirm its presence in the Davis, Guadalupe, and Chisos mountains. Status of populations in the Chinati Mountains and the Sierra de la Madera is unknown. Furthermore, a new location on Elephant Mountain, Brewster County, Texas, has extended distribution of the Robust Cottontail. There may be a population of Sylvilagus in good condition in the Sierra del Carmen, Mexico, although it is not confirmed to be the Robust Cottontail. It occurs at low densities that are even lower during drought. Threats might be grazing practices, brush clearing, and habitat loss due to urbanization and development. Research is needed on population status, distribution, threats, population genetics, biology, and ecology of the Robust Cottontail, followed by establishment of appropriate management plans and protected areas.

Bibliography. Cervantes & Lépez-Hernédndez (2005), Hoffmann & Smith (2005), Lee, D.N. et al. (2010), Nalls et al. (2012), Ruedas (1998), Ruedas & Smith (2008), Schmidly (1977).

Figures

1. Amami Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi), 2. Jameson’s Red Rock Hare (Pronolagus randensis), 3. Natal Red Rock Hare (Pronolagus crassicaudatus), 4. Smith’s Red Rock Hare (Pronolagus rupestris), 5. Hewitt’s Red Rock Hare (Pronolagus saundersiae), 6. Volcano Rabbit (Romerolagus diaz), 7. Riverine Rabbit (Bunolagus monticularis), 8. Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis), 9. Sumatran Striped Rabbit (Nesolagus netscher), 10. Annamite Striped Rabbit (Nesolagus timminsi), 11. Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani), 12. San Jose Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus mansuetus), 13. Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii), 14. Mountain Cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii), 15. New England Cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis)

Distribution. S USA, in SE New Mexico and SW Texas (Chisos, Davis, Chinati, Guadalupe, and Elephant Mts), and NE Mexico, in N Coahuila (Sierra del Carmen).