Sylvilagus palustris hefneri

Lower Keys marsh rabbit
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Genus: Sylvilagus
Species: S. palustris
Subspecies: S. p. hefneri
Trinomial name
Sylvilagus palustris hefneri
Lazell, 1984

Sylvilagus palustris hefneri (Lazell, 1984), common name Lower Keys marsh rabbit, is an endangered subspecies of marsh rabbit named after Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.[2][3]

General

S. p. hefneri was federally recognized as an endangered species on June 21, 1990. The urbanized Florida Keys have left the rabbits with a very small home range, making them more vulnerable to threats such as pollution, vehicular road kill, and predation by stray cats. Forys and Humphrey (1999) predicted a gradual decline in S. p. hefneri abundance and extinction within 50 years (of 1995).[4] The Lower Keys marsh rabbit population is estimated to contain approximately 150 individuals.[5] In 2008, LaFever et al. performed viability assays to determine current extinction rates. They predicted extinction within 10 years if action is not taken immediately.[6] They recommend urgent management of predatory stray cats, and restoration of marshes as possible solutions to reduce the extinction rate of S. p. hefneri.[6]

Phylogeny

The subspecies was first described in a publication in the Journal of Mammalogy in 1984 by James D. Lazell Jr, after his research was funded in part by a generous contribution from the Playboy Corporation.[7] The Lower Keys marsh rabbit was then named in honor of Hugh M. Hefner in recognition of the financial support received by his corporation.[5]

Size

S. p. hefneri are small-to-medium-sized, 12.6 to 15.0 in (320 to 380 mm) in length and 2.20 to 3.08 pounds (1.0 to 1.4 kg) in weight. Their hind feet range from 2.6 to 3.1 inches (65 to 80 mm) and their ears range from 1.8 to 2.4 inches (45 to 62 mm) in length.[8] S. p. hefneri is the smallest of the three marsh rabbit subspecies, the others being Sylvilagus palustris paludicola and Sylvilagus palustris palustris. These rabbits do not appear to be sexually dimorphic.[5]

Appearance

The pelage of S. p. hefneri is short with dark brown fur and a greyish-white belly, and their tails are dark brown.[5] S. p. hefneri is the smaller than the mainland marsh rabbit (S. p. palustris) and Upper Keys marsh rabbits (S. p. paludicola) and is distinguished by its dark fur.[5] S. p. hefneri also differs from S. p. palustris and S. p. paludicola in several cranial characteristics.[7] The Lower Keys marsh rabbit has a shorter molariform tooth row, higher and more convex frontonasal profile, broader cranium, and elongated dentary symphysis.[5]

Range

The S. p. hefneri has been isolated to the Keys by the rise in sea level and human inhabitation to the local area.[9] This isolation may be the cause for the speciation from the Upper Keys marsh rabbit, Sylvilagus palustris paludicola.[5] Forys et al. determined the habitat occupied of S. p. hefneri to be 317 hectares (780 acres) in 1995 with 81 suitable habitats.[10] In 1996, Forys refined the habitat to be about 253 hectares (630 acres).[11] An average home range of 0.32 hectares (0.79 acres) was determined in 1999.[5] This range includes a few of the larger Lower Keys, specifically, Boca Chica, Saddlebunch, Sugarloaf, and Big Pine Keys and the small islands near these Keys.[5] From 2001 to 2005, Faulhaber et al. surveyed the predetermined habitat to establish a current habitat range.[12] They determined the median size of occupied patches was 2.1 hectares (5.2 acres) with an interquartile range of 0.8–5.0 hectares (2.0–12.4 acres).[12] This data is representative of 112 patches of occupied S. p. hefneri habitat (547.1 ha = 1,367 acres (5.53 km2) total).[12] Please note this data represents an increased search area rather than an increased rabbit number. There was a net loss (—6) in patch occupancy between the 2001-2005 and 1988-1995 survey periods.[12] Possible reasons attributing to this loss are stray cat predation, rise in sea level, and storm surges from hurricanes.[12]

Habitat

S. p. hefneri is habitat specific choosing higher elevations within salt marsh or freshwater marsh but depend on herbaceous plants for food, cover and nesting.[5] This vegetation includes species such as, sawgrass (Cladium jamiacense), seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus), and cordgrass (Spartina spp.).[5] Lower Keys marsh rabbits prefer areas with high amounts of clump grass, ground cover, and Borrichia frutescens present, areas closer to other existing marsh rabbit populations, and areas close to large bodies of water.[10]

Foraging

S. p. hefneri is diet specific choosing particular vegetation; however foraging strategies are not affected by sex or seasonality.[5] The major vegetative species found in the Keys include grasses (Monanthochloe littoralis, Fimbristylis castanea); succulent herbs (Borrichia frutescens, Batis maritima, Salicornia virginica); sedges (Cyperus spp.); and sparse tree cover (Conocarpus erectus and Pithecellobium guadalupense).[5] S. p. hefneri will eat a variety of these species but they prefer Borrichia frutescens, which is common in the mid-saltmarsh area.[5] The marsh rabbit spends most of its time feeding in the mid- and high- marsh areas.[4]

Behavior

Faulhaber et al. conducted a study in 2006 to survey the diurnal habits seen in S. p. hefneri to ultimately provide conservationists with appropriate parameters for habitat extension.[13] They determined that when S. p. hefneri were in brackish wetlands they typically clustered together in patches of saltmarsh or buttonwoods. And when in freshwater wetlands they typically clustered together in patches of freshwater hardwoods.

Reproduction

S. p. hefneri produce fewer offspring, at an average of 3.7 litters per year, compared to other marsh rabbits at 5.7 litters per year.[14] Sexual maturity in S. p. hefneri begins at about nine months of age.[5] Researchers have found that the majority of males disperse at this time, yet females remain in their home range.[5] S. p. hefneri are polygamous and do not display an apparent seasonal breeding pattern.[5]

Threats

S. p. hefneri is considered an endangered species and is threatened by many different sources such as habitat alteration, contaminants, vehicular traffic, dumping, poaching, domestic animals, feral hogs, fire ants, sea level rise and exotic vegetation. (14[5]) More than half the area of suitable S. p. hefneri habitat has been destroyed for construction of residential housing, commercial facilities, utility lines, roads, or other infrastructure in the Lower Keys.[5] Most of the remaining suitable habitat has been degraded by exotic invasive plants, repeated mowing, dumping of trash, and off-road vehicle use.[5]

Invasive species such as the Gambian pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus), Boa constrictor, ball pythons (Python regius), and reticulated pythons (P. reticulatus) are new threats to S. p. hefneri.[9][15] However, the greatest current threat to S. p. hefneri is stray cats.[5]

Conservation

Many biologists and such have taken a close look at S. p. hefneri to determine and implement current conservation efforts. Action is currently underway at the species level and the habitat level. The most prominent method of conservation of S. p. hefneri is reintroducing the rabbits to unoccupied but potentially suitable patches [16] Faulhaber et al. created a plan to restore or enhance key macro- and microhabitat more effectively by preventing harmful intrusion by humans, connecting isolated habitat patches, and mitigating barriers to rabbit movement.[13] LaFever et al. demonstrate the use of population viability analysis as a conservation planning tool for reducing human wildlife conflicts.[17] Crouse et al. conducted a genetic analysis comparing haplotypes in mitochondrial DNA to identify barriers in gene flow.[18]

Other possible methods into habitat conservation are:[5]

Species-level conservation action is as follows:[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Faulhaber, C.A. & Smith, A.T. (2008). "Sylvilagus palustris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 25 May 2014. Includes assessment of S. p. hefneri conservation status
  2. ↑ CBS News (9 December 2008)
  3. ↑ Curiosities of Biological Nomenclature
  4. 1 2 Forys, E.A., and S.R. Humphrey. 1994. Biology of the Lower Keys marsh rabbit at Navy lands in the Lower Florida Keys. Semi-annual performance report no. 3 in files of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission; Tallahassee, Florida.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS]. 1994. Recovery Plan for the Lower Keys marsh rabbit. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Atlanta, Georgia.
  6. 1 2 LaFever, David, et al. "Predicting the Impacts of Future Sea-Level Rise on an Endangered Lagomorph." Environmental Management 40.3 (2007): 430-437.
  7. 1 2 Lazell, J.D. Jr. "A new marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris) from Florida's Lower Keys." Journal of Mammalogy 65.1 (1984): 26-33. Agricola.
  8. ↑ Forys, E.A., P.A. Frank, and R.S. Kautz. 1996. Recovery Actions for the Lower Keys marsh rabbit, silver rice rat, and Stock Island tree snail. Unpublished report to Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission; Tallahassee, Florida.
  9. 1 2 Reed, Robert N. "An Ecological Risk Assessment of Nonnative Boas and Pythons as Potentially Invasive Species in the United States." Risk Analysis: An International Journal 25.3 (2005): 753-766.
  10. 1 2 Forys, E.A. 1995. Metapopulations of marsh rabbits: a population viability analysis of the Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri). PhD. Thesis, University of Florida; Gainesville, Florida.
  11. ↑ Forys, E.A. 1996. Multi-Species Recovery Team meeting, April 1996.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Faulhaber, Craig A., et al. "Updated Distribution of the Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit." Journal of Wildlife Management 71.1 (2007): 208-212.
  13. 1 2 Faulhaber, Craig A., et al. "Diurnal Habitat Use by Lower Keys Marsh Rabbits." Journal of Wildlife Management 72.5 (2008): 1161-1167.
  14. ↑ Holler, N.R., and C.H. Conaway. 1979. Reproduction of the marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris) in South Florida. Journal of Mammalogy 60(4):769-777.
  15. ↑ Perry, Neil D., et al. "NEW INVASIVE SPECIES IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA: GAMBIAN RAT (CRICETOMYS GAMBIANUS)." Journal of Mammalogy 87.2 (2006): 262-264.
  16. ↑ Faulhaber, Craig A., et al. "Reintroduction of Lower Keys Marsh Rabbits." Wildlife Society Bulletin 34.4 (2006): 1198-1202.
  17. ↑ LaFever, David H., et al. "Use of a population viability analysis to evaluate human-induced impacts and mitigation for the endangered Lower Keys marsh rabbit." Human-Wildlife Conflicts 2.2 (2008)
  18. ↑ CROUSE, AMANDA L., et al. "Population Structure of the Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit as Determined by Mitochondrial DNA Analysis." Journal of Wildlife Management 73.3 (2009): 362-367.
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