Lepus yarkandensis Gunther 1875
Creators: name: Don E. Wilson
name: Thomas E. Lacher, Jr
name: Russell A. Mittermeier
Publisher: name: Lynx Edicions
Year: 2016
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Lagomorpha
Leporidae
Lepus
Lepus yarkandensis

description: 38.
Yarkand Hare
Lepus yarkandensis
French: Liévre de Yarkand / German: Yarkand-Hase / Spanish: Liebre de Yarkand
Taxonomy. Lepus yarkandensis Gunther, 1875,
“neighbourhood ofYarkand,” China.
Significant genetic subdivision occurs among populations of L. yarkandensis inhabiting the two isolated regions in the north-eastern and south-western part of the Tarim Basin. A low level of gene diversity exists among populations that are physically isolated by desert that restricts gene flow, but significant genetic differentiation among the other populations was found.
There is genetic evidence for bidirectional introgressive hybridization between L. capensis and L. yarkandensis in the contact zone adjacent to the Tarim Basin. Monotypic.
Distribution. Steppes of the Tarim Basin around the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, S Xinjiang (NW China).
Descriptive notes. Head—body 290-430 mm, tail 55-86 mm, ear 90-110 mm, hindfoot 90-110 mm; weight 1.1-1.9 kg. The Yarkand Hare is small, with short and straight pelage. Dorsal fur is sand-brown, mixed with many pale brown stripes. Sides are sandyellow, and abdomen is white. Ears are relatively long. Tail is similar to dorsal pelage above and white on sides and below. Ventral fur is wholly white. There is seasonal variation with a paler fur in winter than during the rest of the year.
Habitat. Mainly tamarisk (7amarix ramosissima, Tamaricaceae) and poplar (Populus diversifolia and P. pruinosa, Salicaceae) forests, brushwood, and reed meadows distributed in patches along rivers descending from surrounding mountains and running into desert, at elevations of 900-1200 m. Yarkand Hares avoid agricultural areas and make shallow runaways under bushes. Shallow forms are located under vegetation, especially reeds along rivers.
Food and Feeding. The Yarkand Hare is herbivorous and is known to damage cultivated melons. Groups of 5-6 Yarkand Hares customarily drink on the riverbanks.
Breeding. Reproductive season of the Yarkand Hare starts in February and extends possibly until September. Females have 2-3 litters/year, with 2-5 young/litter.
Activity patterns. The Yarkand Hare is mainly nocturnal, especially in early morning and late evening. It hides in forms during the day.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. The Yarkand Hare is classified as vulnerable on the Chinese Red List. It has a restricted distribution but can be locally common. It occurs in nature reserves; however, increased human activity due to petroleum exploration and local development within its distribution are undoubtedly having a negative impact on the Yarkand Hare. At present, there are no data available to quantify ongoing population decline. It is assumed that declines are moderate. Yarkand Hares are shot as game, and ¢.10,000 furs were harvested annually between 1958 and 1981. Low gene flow between isolated populations might result in genetic drift and inbreeding depression. The Yarkand Hares needs some attention dueto its restricted habitat and distribution. Efforts should be made to conserve habitat, and harvest limits should be implemented. Genetic variability should be monitored to avert inbreeding depression.
Bibliography. Angermann (1967b), Flux & Angermann (1990), Gao Yaoting (1983), Hoffmann & Smith (2005), Li Zengchao et al. (2005), Shan Wenjuan et al. (2011), Smith (2008c), Smith & Johnston (2008d), Wu Yonghua, Xia Lin, Zhang Qian, Lei Fumin & Yang Qisen (2010), Wu Yonghua, Xia Lin, Zhang Qian & Yang Qisen (2010), Wu Yonghua, Xia Lin, Zhang Qian, Yang Qisen & Meng Xiuxiang (2011).
description: Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Leporidae, pp. 107-148 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 131, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6625539