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Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
The order Lagomorpha contains two families, the Ochotonidae (pikas) and Leporidae (rabbits and hares). These families are thought to have diverged during the late Eocene, 35-38 million years ago. The Leporidae comprises two groups: the jackrabbits and hares of the genus Lepus, and the rabbits in the remaining ten genera. Recent molecular data indicates that most rabbit and hare genera arose from a single rapid diversification event during the Miocene (between 12 and 16 million years ago). Although no fossil data are available to indicate when Romerolagus diverged from other leporids, it is considered by many scientists to be the most primitive of living rabbits and hares. The volcano rabbit is monotypic (the only species in its genus).
Size:
Head and body length: 270-315 mm
No visible tail
Ear length: 40-44 mm
No visible tail
Ear length: 40-44 mm
Weight: 387-602 g
Characterised by short round ears and short legs, the volcano rabbit is one of the smallest leporids. Its short dense fur is coloured dark brown or black on the back and sides, and grey underneath. There is no visible tail.
Volcano rabbits live in groups of 2-5 animals in areas of bunch grass (zacaton). Although they occasionally occupy burrows dug by other species, they spend most of their time at the surface, where the dense zacaton keeps them hidden from predators. The species is predominantly nocturnal, with most activities taking place just before dawn or after dusk. At these times the animals travel along well-maintained runways through the zacaton, feeing on green leaves, spiny herbs and the bark of alder trees. Breeding occurs throughout the year, but peaks in the warm, rainy summer. Females usually give birth to 2-3 young in a shallow underground nest.
The species generally occurs at elevations of 2,800-4,250 m in open pine forests with a dense undergrowth of zacaton and rocky substrates. Volcano rabbits are also found in secondary alder forests with a heavy grass-shrub understorey. Most of the areas where the rabbit is found have winter drought and summer rains with a mean annual precipitation of around 1,500 mm.
The species is endemic to central Mexico, and found on the slopes of only four volcanoes across the Tansverse Neovolcanic Belt (TNB) - Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl (Sierra Nevada), and El Pelado and Tlaloc (Sierra Chichinautzin). The present distribution is restricted to three discontinuous areas of core habitat which together cover an area of around 386 km². There are a few scattered populations remaining outside the core habitat areas, but these are small and isolated by physical barriers such as highways.
No reliable estimates, although a survey in the late 1980s suggested that there are around 6,500 around Volcano El Pelado alone.
Classified as Endangered (EN A1abc+2bc, B1+2bcd+3abc, C1+2a) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Habitat destruction and illegal hunting are the main threats to survival. A variety of factors appear to be responsible for the continuing erosion of the forest habitat. These include forest fires, overgrazing by cattle and sheep, encroachment by agriculture and property developments, over-exploitation of timber, and cutting of grasses for thatch and brush manufacture. Popocatepetl has been active in recent years and thus a major threat to existing habitat.
Hunting of the species is now illegal under Mexican law and protected areas have been established in areas containing the rabbits (Izta-Popo and Zoquiapan National Parks). However, laws to protect the rabbit from hunting and habitat destruction are not being enforced. Even in areas where it is protected, the species is suffering from the effects of illegal hunting and habitat loss. In attempt to raise public awareness of the species and protect against catastrophes occurring in wild populations, captive breeding colonies were established at Jersey Zoo, UK and Chapultepec Zoo, Mexico City. Unfortunately the Jersey Zoo colony did not survive.
The IUCN/SSC Lagomorph Specialist Group have created an Action Plan for the species. The plan focuses upon the need to establish good management programmes to prevent burning and overgrazing of the zacaton habitats and to enforce laws prohibiting the capture, sale and hunting of the species. Research is recommended into the geographical range, habitat relationships, population dynamics and life history of the species. In addition, the plan stresses the need for the establishment of zacaton corridors to link core areas of habitat. These efforts should be linked to public awareness and education programmes to enable people to learn how to combine development with conservation.
IUCN/SSC Lagomorph Specialist Group
International group focused on the conservation and management of pikas, rabbits and hares.
International group focused on the conservation and management of pikas, rabbits and hares.
Fa, J. E. and Bell, D. J. 1990. The Volcano Rabbit Romerolagus diazi. Pp: 143-146. In: Chapman, J.A. & Flux, J.E.C. (eds.). Rabbits, Hares and Pikas: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Lagomorph Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.
Lagomorph Specialist Group 1996. Romerolagus diazi. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 09 August 2006.
Nowak, R.M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.
UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre
Distribution map based on data provided by the IUCN Global Mammal Assessment.
Lagomorph Specialist Group 1996. Romerolagus diazi. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 09 August 2006.
Nowak, R.M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.
UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre
Distribution map based on data provided by the IUCN Global Mammal Assessment.
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