Venezuelan lowland rabbit
Sylvilagus varynaensis is a mammal in the genus of cottontail rabbits ( Sylvilagus ) among lagomorphs ( Lagomorpha ). The species is endemic to Venezuela.
Features
Sylvilagus varynaensis is a medium -sized species of its genus with a snout-vent length from 43.4 to 44.5 centimeters. This is therefore ( S. brasiliensis ) are among the largest of the three occurring in South America species of cottontail rabbit, which, in addition this type subspecies of the Florida cottontail ( S. floridanus ) and the Tapeti or Brazil Cottontail.
Dissemination
The distribution area of Sylvilagus varynaensis limited to the plains of Venezuela in the states of Barinas, Portuguesa and Guarico. So far, only a few localities are known, which were used for the first scientific description. However, it is assumed that the distribution is larger than previously known.
Within the distribution area lives Sylvilagus varynaensis probably sympatric with the Florida Cottontail and the Tapeti.
Way of life
Over the life of Sylvilagus varynaensis There is very little information. According to the findings previously known, the animals are very closely tied to an embossed by Sida and Malvastrum types of vegetation, which is described as a savannah type with low shrubs and herbaceous plants. These areas studied were in the vicinity of tropical dry forests.
They feed mainly on species of Sida. The breeding season is likely to involve a large part of the year. The animals studied indicated a particularly high mating activity in the September-December through, but overall was a span of about 270 days be detected as reproduction time. Gestation lasts 35 days, the average litter size is 2.63 pups per litter and females.
System
Sylvilagus varynaensis is assigned as an independent species the cottontail rabbits ( genus Sylvilagus ). Within the species, no subspecies are distinguished.
The first description of Sylvilagus varynaensis followed in 2001 by the scientist Pedro Durant and Manuel A. Guevara of the Universidad de Los Andes in Mérida, Venezuela, and was published in the journal Revista de Biología Tropical. In 2000 published two more articles of the authors on the habitat and lifestyle of the Art
Threats and conservation
Sylvilagus varynaensis is not classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN ) due to the very small amount of existing data type in a risk category ( data deficient ). About the population size are no data or estimates. One of the main threats to the species include, in particular human influences such as deforestation and habitat conversion for agricultural use. In addition, the hunting is by the people, and especially by feral dogs and competition with domestic animals.