Morphometric differentiation between the Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus De Winton, 1898) and the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778)

摘要: The Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus De Winton, 1898), formerly considered a subspecies of the European brown (L. europaeus Pallas, 1778), is an endemic species recently revalidated by genetic analyses. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to assess morphological discrimination between L. europaeus. A clear in body skull measurements hares was evident. Our results are consistent with observations historical specimens mtDNA data. Furthermore, no hybrid found even areas where viable populations two coexist sympatry. Despite original distribution hare, it impossible determine boundary because human introduction for hunting. Populations have been recorded from central Italy Sicily, fragmented sometimes sympatry syntopy However, Sicily continuously distributed, locally abundant stable found. Although conservation needs be understood better, urgent management strategies required avoid threat extinction local populations.