East African springhare: Difference between revisions
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{{Taxobox |
{{Taxobox |
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| name = East African |
| name = East African springhare |
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| status = LC |
| status = LC |
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| status_system = iucn3.1 |
| status_system = iucn3.1 |
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'''''Pedetes surdaster''''', the '''East African |
'''''Pedetes surdaster''''', the '''East African springhare''', is not closely related to the [[hare]], but is a member of the [[Pedetidae]], a [[rodent]] family. |
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==Taxonomy== |
==Taxonomy== |
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''Pedetes surdaster'' was recognised by Matthee and Robinson in 1997 as a |
''Pedetes surdaster'' was recognised by Matthee and Robinson in 1997 as a species distinct from the [[Springhare|southern Africanspring hare]] ''(P. capensis)'' based on [[Genetics|genetic]], [[Morphology (biology)|morphological]], and [[Ethology|ethological]] differences.<ref>Matthee, C. A. and Robinson, T. J. 1997. Mitochondrial DNA phylogeography and comparative cytogenetics of the springhare, Pedetes capensis (Mammalia: Rodentia). Journal of Mammalian Evolution 4: 53-73.</ref> ''P. capensis'' from South Africa has fewer [[chromosome]]s (2n= 38) than does ''P. surdaster'' which has (2n = 40) and some other genetic variations.<ref>Matthee, C. A. and Robinson, T. J. 1997a. Molecular phylogeny of the springhare, Pedetes capensis, based on mitochondrial DNA sequences. Molecular Biology and Evolution 14 (1) : 20-29.</ref> The species was confirmed by Dieterlen in 2005.<ref name=iucn/> |
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==Distribution== |
==Distribution== |
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This species is found in central and southern Kenya and most of Tanzania. A single specimen has been recorded in Uganda near the Kenya border, at Mount Moroto. It is found from sea level up to an altitude |
This species is found in central and southern Kenya and most of Tanzania. A single specimen has been recorded in Uganda near the Kenya border, at Mount Moroto. It is found from sea level up to an altitude over 2,000 m.<ref name=iucn/> |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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The East African |
The East African springhare resembles a small [[kangaroo]] and is about the size of a [[rabbit]]. It is mid-brown, has large erect ears, very short fore legs, and long powerful hind legs.<ref name=Dmb>[http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FJHL%2FJHL35_1-2%2FS0022149X0002486Xa.pdf&code=03080d779ba634c5a69d566e33aeaf5e On ''Dipetalonema manson-bahri'' n.sp., from the Spring-hare, ''Pedetes surdaster larvalis'', with a Note on its Development in Fleas]</ref> It moves in bounds of up to 2 m and has a long tail fringed with black hairs which provides balance. It can sit up on its haunches like a [[squirrel]].<ref>[http://www.worldwildlifeimages.com/mammals/v/Rodentia/Pedetidae/Pedetes+surdaster+_East+African+Spring-hare__4426+_c_+Greg+and+Yvonne+Dean+_WorldWildlifeImages_com_.JPG.html Pedetes surdaster (East African Spring-hare)]</ref><ref name=EoM>{{cite book |editor=Macdonald, D.|author= Butynski, Thomas M.|year=1984 |title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location=New York|pages= 634–635|isbn= 0-87196-871-1}}</ref> |
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==Ecology== |
==Ecology== |
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The East African |
The East African springhare is [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]] and spends the day in an extensive system of burrows. It lives in semiarid grassland habitats.<ref name=iucn/> The diet is the green parts of plants, roots and other vegetable matter, and occasionally [[insect]]s.<ref name=Dmb/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 15:55, 18 September 2016
| East African springhare | |
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| In Amboseli National Park, Kenya | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Phylum: | |
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| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | P. surdaster
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| Binomial name | |
| Pedetes surdaster (Thomas, 1902)
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| Synonyms | |
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Pedetes surdaster, the East African springhare, is not closely related to the hare, but is a member of the Pedetidae, a rodent family.
Taxonomy
Pedetes surdaster was recognised by Matthee and Robinson in 1997 as a species distinct from the southern Africanspring hare (P. capensis) based on genetic, morphological, and ethological differences.[3] P. capensis from South Africa has fewer chromosomes (2n= 38) than does P. surdaster which has (2n = 40) and some other genetic variations.[4] The species was confirmed by Dieterlen in 2005.[1]
Distribution
This species is found in central and southern Kenya and most of Tanzania. A single specimen has been recorded in Uganda near the Kenya border, at Mount Moroto. It is found from sea level up to an altitude over 2,000 m.[1]
Description
The East African springhare resembles a small kangaroo and is about the size of a rabbit. It is mid-brown, has large erect ears, very short fore legs, and long powerful hind legs.[5] It moves in bounds of up to 2 m and has a long tail fringed with black hairs which provides balance. It can sit up on its haunches like a squirrel.[6][7]
Ecology
The East African springhare is nocturnal and spends the day in an extensive system of burrows. It lives in semiarid grassland habitats.[1] The diet is the green parts of plants, roots and other vegetable matter, and occasionally insects.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d IUCN Red List
- ^ Mammal Species of the World
- ^ Matthee, C. A. and Robinson, T. J. 1997. Mitochondrial DNA phylogeography and comparative cytogenetics of the springhare, Pedetes capensis (Mammalia: Rodentia). Journal of Mammalian Evolution 4: 53-73.
- ^ Matthee, C. A. and Robinson, T. J. 1997a. Molecular phylogeny of the springhare, Pedetes capensis, based on mitochondrial DNA sequences. Molecular Biology and Evolution 14 (1) : 20-29.
- ^ a b On Dipetalonema manson-bahri n.sp., from the Spring-hare, Pedetes surdaster larvalis, with a Note on its Development in Fleas
- ^ Pedetes surdaster (East African Spring-hare)
- ^ Butynski, Thomas M. (1984). Macdonald, D. (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File. pp. 634–635. ISBN 0-87196-871-1.
