pikas, rabbits, and hares. today consist of 2 families, ~13 genera, ~80 species ochotonidae- pikas...
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pikas, rabbits, and hares
Lagomorpha
Fast FactsToday consist of 2 families, ~13 genera, ~80 species
Ochotonidae- pikas Leporidae- jackrabbits & hares and rabbits Prolagidae- Mediterranean giant pikas (extinct)
Earliest fossil- 55 million years ago in MongoliaFamilies much more diverse in the Tertiary period than today
Fast FactsHerbivores
Peg like teethTerrestrialFound on all continents
except Antarctica Exotic species in Australia and
New ZealandSimilar adaptations to
RodentiaPossible Superorder
Glires???
Leporididae vs. OchotonidaeLeporididae
Large earsElongated hind limbs“cotton ball” tailsFenestrated maxillaArctic, deserts, tropics, forest
OchotonidaeSmall earsShort limbsNo tailsNotched incisorsTalus slopes or steppe areas
Leporids: Rabbits vs. HaresRabbits
Well-constructed, fur lined nests
Altricial youngInterparietal bone in skull42 chromosomes
HaresShallow depressions,
“forms”Precocial youngNO interparietal bone48 chromosomes
Pika diversity by habitat
Smith, A. (2008). The World of Pikas. In Lagomorph biology evolution, ecology, and conservation. Ed. Alves, P et. al. Springer: New York
Reproduction in LeporidsInduced ovulation
Egg is released shortly after copulation
Postpartum estrusGestation period trade off
Higher latitudes have shorter gestation periods to produce more young in favorable weather, and larger litter size
longer gestation in tropical species are born more fully developed and able to avoid predators
Chapman, J. (1984). Latitude and Gestation Period in New World Rabbits. The American Naturalist 124(3): 442-445
Coprophagy: Adaption to low quality forage
Ingestion of feces (hard & soft)Quickly excrete poorly digestible large particles (hard), retain
fine particles for excretion and re-ingestion (soft)Very sophisticated digestive system
Feces
Hard
Day-timeFood digestibility
Night- time (temporary)Supplemental food
Soft Vitamins and microbial proteins
Hirakawa, H. (2001). Coprophagy in leporids and other mammalian herbivores. Mammalian Review 31:61-80
Pika and hay making: WHY?Storing food for winter??
Not enough foodDon’t eat all that is storedHaypile size have no
relation to mortalityConclusions:
Enough food for 8 monthsNeed large piles because
only 25% of what is stored is available
Store food to survive shortages
Secondary use: bedding
Dearing, M.D. (1997). The Function of Haypiles of Pika. Journal of Mammalogy 78(4): 1156-1163
Biomass of haypile throughout the year
Pika and hay making: foraging selection Observed species available and
species chose based on diversity and abundance
Selective in vegetation for making hay Chose plants rich in secondary
compounds (tannins) Reject evergreens
Conclusions: Eat what is most available in
summer store what is not edible in
summer for winter do not store what will be
available in winterGliwicz, J., S. Pagacz, J. Witczuk. (2006). Strategy of Food Plant Selection in the Siberian Northern Pika. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 38(1): 54-59
European Rabbits in AustraliaBrought to Australia by
Europeans as a game species to be hunted
Degrade the land, reduce native vegetation, and may cause extinction of native mammals
Control Methods Biological control (virus) Hunting and trapping Rabbit-proof fence Poisoning
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/pubs/rabbit.pdf
Metapopulations in PikaRemain close to the
location they were bornDispersal can be difficultSurvival of one patch is
highly dependent on the number of neighboring patches
Need to learn what causes patches to be recolonized or to go extinct to ensure the future of the pika
Smith, A. (2008). The World of Pikas. In Lagomorph biology evolution, ecology, and conservation. Ed. Alves, P et. al. Springer: New York
1. Diversity within the order Pika, rabbits, and hares
2. Reproduction Induced ovulation, gestation periods
3. Foraging Adaptations Hay making and coprophagy
4. Management Issues too many, metapopulation dynamics
Main Points
Chapman, J. (1984). Latitude and Gestation Period in New World Rabbits. The American Naturalist 124(3): 442-445
Chapman, J. & J.E.C. Flux. (2008) Introduction to the Lagomorpha. In Lagomorph biology evolution, ecology, and conservation. Ed. Alves, P et. al. Springer: New York
Dearing, M.D. (1997). The Function of Haypiles of Pika. Journal of Mammalogy 78(4): 1156-1163
Gliwicz, J., S. Pagacz, J. Witczuk. (2006). Strategy of Food Plant Selection in the Siberian Northern Pika. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 38(1): 54-59
Hirakawa, H. (2001). Coprophagy in leporids and other mammalian herbivores. Mammalian Review 31:61-80
Smith, A. (2008). The World of Pikas. In Lagomorph biology evolution, ecology, and conservation. Ed. Alves, P et. al. Springer: New York
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/pubs/rabbit.pdf
Works Cited
Picture Creditswww.cryptomundo.com,
www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk,
northwestnaturalmoments.blogspot.com
westerncascades.com
environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca,
thehuntinglife.com
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/classification/Mammalia.html#Mammalia%23
wild-facts.com
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