The introduction of the European Hare (Lepus europaeus) into the eastern part of the North American Continent has been successful in the sense that the animal is multiplying. If it continues to increase, the increase almost certainly will be at the expense of some native species of rabbit. This circumstance and the unfortunate consequences of the introduction of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in New Zealand (see Wodzicki, 1950:107-141) and Australia (see Stead, 1925:355-358) give basis for effort to exterminate the alien species before it spreads more widely.
Key to the Species of the Genus Lepus
- 1. North of 34° N latitude.
- 2. All white pelage (tips of ears sometimes black).
- 3. North of line from Port Simpson, British Columbia, to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- 4. Basilar length of skull more than 67; ear from notch usually more than 73 dry (77 fresh); first upper incisors inscribing an arch of a circle the radius of which is more than 9.6 mm.
- 5. Geographic range east of Mackenzie River.
- Lepus arcticus, p. [178]
- 5´. Geographic range west of Mackenzie River.
- Lepus othus, p. [177]
- 4´. Basilar length of skull less than 67; ear from notch usually less than 73 dry (77 fresh); first upper incisors inscribing an arch of a circle the radius of which is less than 9.6 mm.
- Lepus americanus, p. [173]
- 3´. South of a line from Port Simpson, British Columbia to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- 5. Ear from notch more than 82 dry (87 fresh); least interorbital breadth more than 26
- Lepus townsendii, p. [180]
- 5´. Ear from notch less than 82 dry (87 fresh); least interorbital breadth less than 26
- Lepus americanus, p. [173]
- 2´. Brownish or grayish pelage.
- 6. Tail blackish or brownish all around (in specimens not having completed molt on tail, white winter pelage may be present); basilar length less than 67 mm.
- Lepus americanus, p. [173]
- 6´. Tail partly or wholly white.
- 7. Tail black on upper surface.
- 8. Upper sides of hind feet without a trace of white; upper parts tawny.
- Lepus europaeus, p. [189]
- 8´. Upper sides of hind feet with more or less white or whitish; upper parts grayish or brownish
- Lepus californicus, p. [181]
- 7´. Tail all white or (in some Lepus townsendii) with faint buffy or dusky median line on top but this line not extending on to rump (as in L. californicus).
- 9. Geographic range north of a line from Port Simpson, British Columbia, to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- 10. Geographic range east of Mackenzie River
- Lepus arcticus, p. [178]
- 10´. Geographic range west of Mackenzie River
- Lepus othus, p. [177]
- 9´. Geographic range south of a line from Port Simpson, British Columbia, to Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Lepus townsendii, p. [180]
- 1´. South of 34° N latitude.
- 11. In state of Tamaulipas, México.
- Lepus californicus, p. [181]
- 11´. Range outside Tamaulipas, México.
- 12. Ears with terminal black patch (on outside).
- Lepus californicus and Lepus insularis, pp. [181], [186]
- 12´. Ears without terminal black patch.
- 13. Ear from notch, dry more than 130 (137 fresh),
- Lepus alleni, p. [188]
- 13´. Ear from notch, dry less than 130 (137 fresh).
- 14. Nape more or less black.
- 15. Ears yellow; range Pacific Coastal region of Isthmus of Tehuantepec in southern Oaxaca and Chiapas.
- Lepus flavigularis, p. [188]
- 15´. Ears dark buff, grayish, white and black; range north of Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
- Lepus callotis, p. [186]
- 14´. Nape gray or grayish buff.
- Lepus gaillardi, p. [188]
Guide to subspecies:
- L. a. dalli
- L. a. macfarlani
- L. a. americanus
- L. a. pallidus
- L. a. columbiensis
- L. a. cascadensis
- L. a. washingtoni
- L. a. klamathensis
- L. a. tahoensis
- L. a. pineus
- L. a. oregonus
- L. a. bairdii
- L. a. seclusus
- L. a. phaenotus
- L. a. struthopus
- L. a. virginianus