A Prolegomenon to the Systematics of South American Cottontail Rabbits (Mammalia, Lagomorpha, Leporidae: Sylvilagus): Designation of a Neotype for S. brasiliensis (Linnaeus, 1758), and Restoration of S. andinus (Thomas, 1897) and S. tapetillus Thomas, 1913.

A critical issue with species names derived from Linnaeus’ 10th edition of the Systema Naturae is the lack of holotypes, which in many instances has led to taxonomic confusion and uncertainty, as well as an unstable taxonomy. In the particular case of the South American cottontail, currently known as Sylvilagus brasiliensis, Linnaeus listed the type locality as “America Meridionali,” or South America. As a result, S. brasiliensis was ascribed a widespread distribution in North and South America, over an area estimated as approximately 1.09 × 107 Km2, and containing upwards of 37 named subspecies.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136089/1/MP205.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136089/2/MP205_SupplementaryFigs.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136089/3/MP205_Appendix1.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136089/4/MP205_Appendix 2.xlsxDescription of MP205.pdf : Main ArticleDescription of MP205_SupplementaryFigs.pdf : Additional FiguresDescription of MP205_Appendix1.pdf : Dataset - MapsDescription of MP205_Appendix 2.xlsx : Datase

Biogeography, Morphology, and Systematics of the Mountain Cottontail, \u3ci\u3eSylvilagus nuttallii\u3c/i\u3e (Bachman, 1837), Mammalia: Lagomorpha: Leporidae

Widespread species often present taxonomic conundrums: are they truly a single panmictic species, or, is the widespread species in fact a polytypic species complex constituted by independently evolving, morphologically or otherwise cryptic species? One such broadly distributed taxon is Sylvilagus nuttallii, with distribution across the western United States, ranging from South Dakota to California, and from Canada to Arizona. The three subspecies constituting S. nuttallii are, however, geographically isolated and it has been hypothesized that they likely constitute independent, species level taxa. However, that study examined only two of the three holotypes, rather than broader geographic and non-geographic variation. In this study I examined the three subspecies under the framework of several distinct species concepts. I used 35 distinct cranial measurements, morphological, and dental, assessments, as well as molecular data in order to assess the taxonomic status of the subspecies in question constituting S. nuttallii. I collected de novo topotypic series, and examined all holotypes, as well as existing specimens in the American Museum of Natural History and Philadelphia Academy of Sciences. In addition, the effectiveness of species conservation efforts is contingent upon the understanding of its biology and evolutionary trajectory. By having a better understanding of the past, present, and hypothesized future of a species, conservation efforts may begin to mitigate the loss of biodiversity by the turn of the next century

Taxonomy Of The Sylvilagus Brasiliensis Complex In Central And South America (Lagomorpha: Leporidae)

A taxonomic framework for South American cottontail rabbits (Lagomorpha: Leporidae: Sylvilagus) was recently published by Diersing and Wilson (2017). Although we agree with some of its taxonomic conclusions (e.g., species status for S. apollinaris and S. fulvescens), we disagree with others. We provide herein evidence supporting S. andinus as a valid species based on morphological characters and novel molecular data. We also provide details of the morphological characters of S. apollinaris and S. fulvescens that support separating these from S. brasiliensis. We adduce data suggestive to the effect that—absent any type material—S. defilippi is at best a nomen dubium. Finally, we provide evidence in support of recognizing additional Neotropical species of Sylvilagus. Un esquema taxonómico para los conejos sudamericanos (Lagomorpha: Leporidae: Sylvilagus) fue recientemente publicado por Diersing y Wilson (2017). Aunque estamos de acuerdo con algunas de sus conclusiones (por ejemplo: estatus de especie válida para S. apollinaris y S. fulvescens), no estamos de acuerdo con las restantes conclusiones taxonómicas. Aportamos aquí pruebas convincentes sobre la característica naturaleza de los caracteres morfológicos y moleculares de S. andinus, pruebas que esgrimimos en apoyo de la hipótesis que esta última es una especie válida, así confirmando su escisión de S. brasiliensis. Proporcionamos detalles de los caracteres morfológicos de S. apollinaris y S. fulvescens que confirman la decisión taxonómica de asimismo separarlos de S. brasiliensis. Proporcionamos datos en aditamento que indican que a falta de cualquier material tipo para S. defilippi, este nombre es en el mejor de los casos un nomen dubium. Finalmente, ofrecemos datos y evidencia apoyando nuestras decisiones de reconocer un mayor número de especies Neotropicales de Sylvilagus que previamente se conocían

Systematics, Distribution, and Conservation Status of Dice\u27s Cottontail, Sylvilagus Dicei Harris, 1932 (mammalia, Lagomorpha, Leporidae), in Central America

Dice’s cottontail, Sylvilagus dicei, only was recognized as a valid species in 1981 after having been subsumed in synonymy with S. brasiliensis and S. gabbi, which latter also at times had been synonymized with an ill-defined and broadly distributed S. brasiliensis. Phylogenetic relationships of S. dicei remain poorly resolved, as does the distribution of the species. We collected new specimens of S. dicei and carried out phylogenetic analyses of combined cytochrome-b and 12S rRNA mitochondrial loci. Molecular data confirm the taxonomic status of S. dicei as a species and place it basal to the South American S. brasiliensis radiation; the successive sister taxon to this clade is Gabb’s cottontail, S. gabbi. Time-calibrated analyses support simultaneous internal diversification events in S. dicei and S. gabbi ∼250 KYA. The new specimens, together with literature and museum records including the holotype, enabled us to more accurately map the distribution of S. dicei. Specimens are restricted to forested uplands in Costa Rica and western Panama. Although the total altitudinally suitable area for the species is 10,313 km2, removal of urban and agricultural areas not suited for its habitation result in a fragmented range of 9,115 km2. Conservation threats include high predation loads from the invasive coyote, Canis latrans, urbanization, agriculture, and hunting