Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cape Hare Lepus capensis Linnaeus, 1758

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Handbook of the Mammals of Europe

Part of the book series: Handbook of the Mammals of Europe ((HDBME))

  • 123 Accesses

Abstract

This comprehensive species-specific chapter covers all aspects of the mammalian biology, including paleontology, physiology, genetics, reproduction and development, ecology, habitat, diet, mortality, and behavior. The economic significance and management of mammals and future challenges for research and conservation are addressed as well. The chapter includes a distribution map, a photograph of the animal, and a list of key literature.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Al Rammhi HM (2013) Tick infestation of hares (Lepus capensis) in Al-Qasim district – Babylon, Iraq. Euphrates J Agric Sci 5:8–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Alves PC, Gonçalves H, Santos M, Rocha A (2002) Reproductive biology of the Iberian hare, Lepus granatensis, in Portugal. Mamm Biol 67:358–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alves PC, Ferrand N, Suchentrunk F, Harris DJ (2003) Ancient introgression of Lepus timidus mtDNA into L. granatensis and L. europaeus in the Iberian Peninsula. Mol Phylogenet Evol 27:70–80

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alves PC, Melo-Ferreira J, Freitas H, Boursot P (2008) The ubiquitous mountain hare mitochondria: multiple introgressive hybridization in hares, genus Lepus. Philos Trans R Soc Lond Ser B Biol Sci 363:2831–2839

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amori G, Angelici FM, Prigioni C, Vigna Taglianti A (1996) The mammal fauna of Italy: a review. Hystrix 8:3–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Amori G, Contoli L, Nappi A (2008) Mammalia II. Erinaceomorpha, Soricomorpha, Lagomorpha, Rodentia. Calderini, Sole24Ore, Bologna

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson JF, Magnarelli LA (1993) Epizootiology of Lyme disease-causing borreliae. Clin Dermatol 11:339–351

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Angelici F, Spagnesi M (2008) Lepus capensis Linnaeus, 1758. In: Amori G, Contoli L, Nappi A (eds) Fauna d’Italia. Mammalia II. Erinaceomorpha, Soricomorpha, Lagomorpha, Rodentia, 2nd edn. Calderini, Bologna, pp 248–253

    Google Scholar 

  • Angermann R (1983) The taxonomy of Old World Lepus. Acta Zool Fenn 174:17–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Antoniou A, Kotoulas G, Magoulas A, Alves PC (2008) Evidence of autumn reproduction in female European hares (Lepus europaeus) from southern Europe. Eur J Wildl Res 54:581–587

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arru E, Deiana S, Nuvole A (1967) Distomatosi epatica nei Leporidi selvatici in Sardegna. Atti Soc Ital Sc Vet 21:762–766

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashrafzadeh MR, Djan M, Szendrei L, Paulauskas A, Scandura M, Bagi Z, Ilie DE, Kerdikoshvili N, Marek P, Soós N, Kusza S (2018) Large-scale mitochondrial DNA analysis reveals new light on the phylogeography of Central and Eastern-European brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778). PLoS One 13(10):e0204653

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Azzaroli-Puccetti ML (1987) On the hares of Ethiopia and Somalia and the systematic position of Lepus whytei Thomas, 1984 (Mammalia, Lagomorpha). Atti Acc Naz Lincei 19:1–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Beccu E, Fassò C (1993) Allevamento sperimentale della Lepre sarda (Lepus capensis mediterraneus W.). In: Cossu S, Onida P, Torre A (eds). Atti del 1° Convegno regionale sulla fauna selvatica in Sardegna, Oristano, pp 403–406

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Slimen H, Suchentrunk F, Memmi A, Sert H, Kryger U, Alves PC, Ben Ammar Elgaaied A (2006) Evolutionary relationships among hares from North Africa (Lepus sp. or Lepus spp.), Cape hares (L. capensis) from South Africa, and brown hares (L. europaeus), as inferred from mtDNA PCR-RFLP and allozyme data. J Zool Syst Evol Res 44:88–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ben Slimen H, Suchentrunk F, Shahin AB, Ben Ammar Elgaaied A (2007) Phylogenetic analysis of mtCR-1 sequences of Tunisian and Egyptian hares (Lepus sp. or spp., Lagomorpha) with different coat colours. Mamm Biol 72:224–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ben Slimen H, Suchentrunk F, Stamatis C, Mamuris Z, Sert H, Alves PC, Kryger U, Shahin AB, Elgaaied AB (2008a) Population genetics of cape and brown hares (Lepus capensis and L. europaeus): a test of Petter’s hypothesis of conspecificity. Biochem Syst Ecol 36:22–39

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ben Slimen H, Suchentrunk F, Ben Ammar Elgaaied A (2008b) On shortcomings of using mtDNA sequence divergence for the systematics of hares (genus Lepus): an example from Cape hares. Mamm Biol 73:25–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ben Slimen H, Schaschl H, Knauer F, Suchentrunk F (2017) Selection on the mitochondrial ATP synthase 6 and the NADH dehydrogenase 2 genes in hares (Lepus capensis L., 1758) from a steep ecological gradient in North Africa. BMC Evol Biol 17(1):46

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Canu A, Cossu A, Foddai R, Iacolina L, Ben Slimen H, Suchentrunk F, Apollonio M, Scandura M (2012) Differentiation under isolation and genetic structure of Sardinian hares as revealed by craniometric analysis, mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites. J Zool Syst Evol Res 50(4):328–337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capucci L, Cavadini P, Schiavitto M, Lombardi G, Lavazza A (2017) Increased pathogenicity in rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2). Vet Rec 180(17):426

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caravaggi A (2018) Lagomorpha life history. In: Vonk J, Shackelford TK (eds) Encyclopedia of animal cognition and behavior. Springer, Cham, pp 1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng C, Ge D, Xia L, Zhou C, Yang Q (2012) Morphometrics study on the so called “Cape hare” (Lagomorpha: Leporidae: Lepus) in China. Acta Theriol Sin 32:275–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbet GB (1978) The mammals of the palaearctic region. A taxonomic review. British Museum (Natural History)/Cornell University Press, London/Ithaca

    Google Scholar 

  • Cossu A, Luccarini S, Marcia P, Apollonio M (2018) Indagine per la valutazione della consistenza di lepre sarda (Lepus capensis mediterraneus) e pernice sarda (Alectoris barbara) sul territorio della regione Sardegna. Unpublished report for Regione Autonoma della Sardegna

    Google Scholar 

  • De Marinis AM, Agnelli P (1993) Guide to the microscope analysis of Italian mammals hairs: Insectivora, Rodentia and Lagomorpha. Boll Zool 60(2):225–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Marinis AM, Trocchi V, Fallico A, Toso S (2005) Fertility and breeding season of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Sicily. In: Hadjisterkotis E (ed) Proceedings of the 25th international congress of the International Union of Game Biologists (IUGB) and the 9th international symposium Perdix, pp 86–91

    Google Scholar 

  • De Marinis AM, Trocchi V, Mangiafico S, Fassò C, Mallia E (2007) Strategie riproduttive in tre specie di Lepre (Lepus sp. pl.) in Italia. In: De Filippo G, De Riso L, Riga F (eds) Conservazione di Lepus corsicanus De Winton, 1898 e stato delle conoscenze. IGF Publishing, Napoli, pp 75–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon JEW (1975) A note on the burrows used by the hare Lepus capensis. Modoqua 9:45–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Ernest SKM (2003) Life history characteristics of placental nonvolant mammals: ecological archives E084-093. Ecology 84(12):3402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fattorini N, Burrini L, Morao G, Ferretti F, Romeo G, Mori E (2018) Splitting hairs: how to tell hair of hares apart for predator diet studies. Mamm Biol 89:84–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferreira MS, Jones MR, Callahan CM, Farelo L, Tolesa Z, Suchentrunk F, Boursot P, Mills LS, Alves PC, Good JM, Melo-Ferreira J (2021) The legacy of recurrent introgression during the radiation of hares. Syst Biol 70(3):593–607

    Google Scholar 

  • Flux JEC (1981) Reproductive strategies in the genus Lepus. In: Myers K, MacInnes CD (eds) Proceedings of the World Lagomorph Conference. University of Guelph, Guelph, pp 155–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Flux JEC, Angermann R (1990) The hares and jackrabbits. In: Chapman JA, Flux JEC (eds) Rabbits, hares and pikas: status survey and conservation action plan. The World Conservation Union, Gland, pp 61–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Flux JEC, Jarvis JUM (1970) Growth rates of two African hares, Lepus capensis. J Mammal 51:798–799

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flux JEC, Flux MM, Knauer F, Suchentrunk F (2016) Body weight variation in Cape hares (Lepus capensis) from Kenya. Mamm Biol 81(Suppl):6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fostowicz-Frelik L, Meng J (2013) Comparative morphology of premolar foramen in lagomorphs (Mammalia: Glires) and its functional and phylogenetic implications. PLoS One 8(11):e79794

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Frölich K, Lavazza A (2008) European brown hare syndrome. In: Alves PC, Ferrand N, Hackländer K (eds) Lagomorph biology: evolution, ecology, and conservation. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp 253–261

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hackländer K, Ferrand N, Alves PC (2008) Overview of Lagomorph research: what we have learned and what we still need to do. In: Alves PC, Ferrand N, Hackländer K (eds) Lagomorph biology: evolution, ecology, and conservation. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp 381–394

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Happold DCD (2013) Mammals of Africa, volume III: rodents, hares and rabbits. Bloomsbury Publishing, London, p 784

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison DL, Bates PJJ (1991) The mammals of Arabia. Harrison Zoological Museum, Sevenoaks

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann RS (1993) Order Lagomorpha. In: Wilson DE, Reeder DM (eds) Mammal species of the world. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC, pp 807–827

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann RS, Smith AT (2005) Order Lagomorpha. In: Wilson DE, Reeder DM (eds) Mammal species of the world, 3rd edn. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, pp 185–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Horak IG, Fourie LJ, Braack LEO (2005) Small mammals as hosts of immature ixodid ticks. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 72:255–261

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston CH, Robinson TJ, Child MF, Relton C (2019) Lepus capensis. IUCN Red List Threat Species 2019:e.T41277A45186750

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones KE, Bielby J, Cardillo M, Fritz SA, O’Dell J, Orme CDL, Safi K, Sechrest W, Boakes EH, Carbone C, Connolly C, Cutts MJ, Foster JK, Grenyer R, Habib M, Plaster CA, Price SA, Rigby EA, Rist J, Teacher A, Bininda-Emonds ORP, Gittleman JL, Mace GM, Purvis A (2009) PanTHERIA: a species-level database of life history, ecology, and geography of extant and recently extinct mammals. Ecology 90:2648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kasapidis P, Suchentrunk F, Magoulas A, Kotoulas G (2005) The shaping of mitochondrial DNA phylogeographic patterns of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) under the combined influence of Late Pleistocene climatic fluctuations and anthropogenic translocations. Mol Phylogenet Evol 34:55–66

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klevezal GA (1996) Recording structures of mammals. Balkema Publishers, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Klevezal GA, Kleinenberg SE (1967) Age determination of mammals from annual layers in teeth and bones. Israel Program for Scientific Translations. Translated from Russian by J. Salkind

    Google Scholar 

  • Koutsogiannouli EA, Moutou KA, Stamatis C, Mamuris Z (2012) Analysis of MC1R genetic variation in Lepus species in Mediterranean refugia. Mamm Biol 77:428–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kronfeld N, Shkolnik A (1996) Adaptation to life in the desert in the brown hare (Lepus capensis). J Mammal 77:171–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lado S, Alves PC, Islam MZ, Brito JC, Melo-Ferreira J (2019) The evolutionary history of the Cape hare (Lepus capensis sensu lato): insights for systematics and biogeography. Heredity 123:634–646

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lavazza A, Guberti V (2007) Malattie di Lepus corsicanus e programmi di monitoraggio e gestione sanitaria. In: De Filippo G, De Riso L, Riga F, Trocchi V, Troisi SR (eds) Conservazione di Lepus corsicanus De Winton, 1898 e stato delle conoscenze. IGF Publishing, Napoli, pp 83–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Leach K, Kelly R, Cameron A, Montgomery WI, Reid N (2015) Expertly validated models and phylogenetically-controlled analysis suggests responses to climate change are related to species traits in the order Lagomorpha. PLoS One 10(4):e0122267

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Loy A, Aloise G, Ancillotto L, Angelici FM, Bertolino S, Capizzi D, Castiglia R, Colangelo P, Contoli L, Cozzi B, Fontaneto D, Lapini L, Maio N, Monaco A, Mori E, Nappi A, Podestà MA, Sarà M, Scandura M, Russo D, Amori G (2019) Mammals of Italy: an annotated checklist. Hystrix 30(2):87–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Luchetti S, Sacchi O (2007) Distribution and density of Mediterranean hare (Lepus capensis mediterraneus) and wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Sardinia (Italy). Hystrix 18(Suppl):120

    Google Scholar 

  • Masseti M, De Marinis AM (2008) Prehistoric and historic artificial dispersal of Lagomorphs on the Mediterranean Islands. In: Alves PC, Ferrand N, Hackländer K (eds) Lagomorph biology: evolution, ecology, and conservation. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp 13–26

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Melo-Ferreira J, Boursot P, Carneiro M, Esteves PJ, Farelo L, Alves PC (2012) Recurrent introgression of mitochondrial DNA among hares (Lepus spp.) revealed by species-tree inference and coalescent simulations. Syst Biol 61(3):367

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mengoni C (2011) Phylogeny and genetic diversity of Italian species of hares (genus Lepus). PhD thesis, University of Bologna

    Google Scholar 

  • Mengoni C, Mucci N, Randi E (2015) Sex identification in four leporid species (Lepus corsicanus, Lepus europaeus, Lepus timidus and Lepus capensis mediterraneus). Conserv Genet Resour 7(3):619–621

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meriggi A, Giordano M, Medda M, Milanesi P, Nelli L, Sacchi O, Vidus A, Ziliani U (2010) Aggiornamento Carta Faunistica della Regione Sardegna – Relazione conclusiva sulle ricerche su Pernice sarda e Lepre sarda. Unpublished report for the Regione Autonoma della Sardegna

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller GS (1912) Catalogue of the mammals of western Europe (Europe exclusive of Russia) in the collection of the British Museum. British Museum (Natural History), Department of Zoology, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell-Jones AJ, Amori G, Bogdanowicz W, Krystufek B, Reijnders PJH, Spitzenberger F, Stubbe M, Thissen JBM, Vohralik V, Zima J (1999) The atlas of European mammals. T & AD Poyser Natural History, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohsen C, Yamna K, Mohsen J, Touhami K (2017) Estimating Cape hare occupancy and abundance in southern Tunisia using spotlighting data. Afr Zool 52(3):137–146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murgia C, Murgia A, Deiana AM (2003) Aspetti dell’ecologia della lepre sarda (Lepus capensis mediterraneus) in aree della Sardegna meridionale. Rend Sem Fac Sci Univ Cagliari 73(1):19–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Niethammer J (1963) Nagetiere und Hasen aus der zentralen Sahara (Hoggar). Z Säugetierkd 28:350–369

    Google Scholar 

  • Nowak RM (1999) Walker’s mammals of the world, 6th edn. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Olwoch JM, Reyers B, Van Jaarsveld AS (2009) Host–parasite distribution patterns under simulated climate: implications for tick-borne diseases. Int J Clim 29:993–1000

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Onida P, Cossu S, Torre A, Meriggi A, Cesaris C, Sacchi O, Fassò C (1995) Primo studio finalizzato alla gestione della Lepre Sarda, Lepus capensis mediterraneus, nella provincia di Oristano. IVRAM, University of Pavia, Azienda Foreste Demaniali, Regione Autonoma della Sardegna

    Google Scholar 

  • Osborn DJ, Helmy I (1980) The contemporary land mammals of Egypt (including Sinai). Fieldiana Zool 5:84–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Palacios F (1989) Biometric and morphologic features of the species of the genus Lepus in Spain. Mammalia 73:227–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Palacios F, Fernandez J (1992) A new subspecies of hare from Majorca (Balearic Islands). Mammalia 5(6):71–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Palacios F, Angelone C, Alonso G, Reig S (2008) Morphological evidence of species differentiation within Lepus capensis Linnaeus, 1758 (Leporidae, Lagomorpha) in Cape Province, South Africa. Mamm Biol 73:358–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pépin D, Meunier M, Angibault J (1981) Étude de la reproduction du lièvre (Lepus europaeus) dans le bassin parisien. Bull Mens Off Natl Chasse 11:3–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Perrin MR, Campbell BS (1980) Key to the mammals of the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve (Eastern Cape), based on their hair morphology, for use in predator scat analysis. S Afr J Wildl Res 10(1):1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Petter F (1959) Eléments d’une révision des lièvres africains du sous-genre Lepus. Mammalia 23:41–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petter F (1961) Eléments d’une révision des lièvres européens et asiatique du sous-genre Lepus. Z Säugetierkd 26:30–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierpaoli M, Riga F, Trocchi V, Randi E (1999) Species distinction and evolutionary relationships of the Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus) as described by mitochondrial DNA sequencing. Mol Ecol 8:1805–1817

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pierpaoli M, Riga F, Trocchi V, Randi E (2003) Hare populations in Europe: intra and interspecific analysis of mtDNA variation. C R Biol 326:S80–S84

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Puggioni G, Cavadini P, Maestrale C, Scivoli R, Botti G, Ligios C, Le Gall-Reculé G, Lavazza A, Capucci L (2013) The new French 2010 rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus causes an RHD-like disease in the Sardinian Cape hare (Lepus capensis mediterraneus). Vet Res 44:96

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Riga F, Trocchi V, Randi E, Toso S (2001) Morphometric differentiation between the Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus De Winton, 1898) and the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778). J Zool 253(2):241–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson T (1986) Incisor morphology as an aid in the systematics of the South African Leporidae (Mammalia: Lagomorpha). S Afr J Zool 21:297–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Rocchi MS, Dagleish MP (2018) Diagnosis and prevention of rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease 2. In Pract 40:11–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scandura M, Iacolina L, Ben Slimen H, Suchentrunk F, Apollonio M (2007) Mitochondrial CR-1 variation in Sardinian hares and its relationships with other old world hares (genus Lepus). Biochem Genet 45:305–323

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schai-Braun S, Hackländer K (2016) Family Leporidae (hares and rabbits). In: Wilson DE, Lacher TE Jr, Mittermeier RA (eds) Handbook of the mammals of the world, vol 6, Lagomorph and Rodents. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, pp 62–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Schai-Braun SC, Hackländer K (2018) Lepus capensis Linnaeus, 1758 Cape hare. In: Smith AT, Johnston CH, Alves PC, Hackländer K (eds) Lagomorphs: pikas, rabbits, and hares. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, pp 176–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott K (2018) A comparative morphological and morphometric study of the cranial and post-cranial osteology of South African hares – Cape hare (Lepus capensis) and Scrub hare (Lepus saxatilis) and its application in archaeozoology. PhD thesis, University of South Africa

    Google Scholar 

  • Shayan S, Bokaean M, Shahrivar MR, Chinikar S (2015) Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Lab Med 46:180–189

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner JD, Chimimba CT (2005) The mammals of the southern African subregion. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK/Cape Town

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Smith AT, Johnston CH, Alves PC, Hackländer K (eds) (2018) Lagomorphs: pikas, rabbits, and hares of the world. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  • Soria-Boix C, Donat-Torres MP, Idrissi HR, Urios V (2019) Evolutionary ecology of hares (Lepus spp.) from northwest Africa: the existence of cryptic species and description of a new species (Lepus saharae sp. nov.). Evol Ecol Res 20:537–555

    Google Scholar 

  • Stavy M, Goldblatt A, Terkel J (1985) Home odor preferences in young hares (Lepus capensis syriacus): effects of age and role of maternal presence. Dev Psychobiol 18(2):125–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoner CJ, Bininda-Emonds ORP, Caro T (2003) The adaptive significance of coloration in lagomorphs. Biol J Linn Soc 79(2):309–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stroh G (1931) Zwei sichere Altersmerkmale beim Hasen. Tierärztl Wochenschr 12:180–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Suchentrunk F, Flux J (1996) Minor dental traits in East African Cape hares and savanna hares (Lepus capensis and Lepus victoriae): a study of intra- and interspecific variability. J Zool 238(3):495–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suchentrunk F, Willing R, Hartl GB (1994) Nonmetrical polymorphism of the first lower premolar (P-3) in Austrian brown hares (Lepus europaeus) – a study on regional differentiation. J Zool 232:79–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suchentrunk F, Ben Slimen H, Stamatis C, Sert H, Scandura M, Apollonio M, Mamuris Z (2006) Molecular approaches revealing prehistoric, historic, or recent translocations and introductions of hares (genus Lepus) by humans. Hum Evol 21:151–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suchentrunk F, Flux JEC, Flux MM, Ben Slimen H (2007) Multivariate discrimination between East African Cape hares (Lepus capensis) and savanna hares (L. victoriae) based on occipital bone shape. Mamm Biol 72:372–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suchentrunk F, Ben Slimen H, Sert H (2008) Phylogenetic aspects of nuclear and mitochondrial gene-pool characteristics of South and North African Cape hares (Lepus capensis) and European hares (Lepus europaeus). In: Alves PC, Ferrand N, Hackländer K (eds) Lagomorph biology. Ecology, evolution, and conservation. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp 65–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Suchentrunk F, Ben Slimen H, Kryger U (2009) Molecular evidence of conspecificity of South African hares conventionally considered Lepus capensis L., 1758. Mamm Biol 74(5):325–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teerink BJ (1991) Hair of West-European mammals: atlas and identification key. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Temple HJ, Terry A (2009) European mammals: Red List status, trends, and conservation priorities. Folia Zool 58:248–269

    Google Scholar 

  • Toschi A (1965) Fauna d’Italia. Mammalia. Lagomorpha – Rodentia – Carnivora – Ungulata – Cetacea. Calderini, Bologna

    Google Scholar 

  • Trocchi V, Riga F (2005) I Lagomorfi in Italia. Linee guida per la conservazione e la gestione. Ministero delle Politiche Agricole e Forestali – Istituto Nazionale Fauna Selvatica. Doc Tec 25:1–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Trocchi V, Fassò C, Riga F (2003a) Determinazione dell’età nella Lepre sarda Lepus capensis mediterraneus mediante il peso del cristallino. Hystrix 14(Suppl):135

    Google Scholar 

  • Trocchi W, Riga F, Randi E (2003b) Lepus (“capensis”) mediterraneus Wagner 1841 – Sardischer Hase. In: Krapp F (ed) Handbuch der Säugetiere Europas, vol 3/II. Aula-Verlag, Wiebelsheim, pp 104–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Vismara P (2012) Il genere Lepus in Italia: chiavi diagnostiche morfo-odontologiche e contributi paleobiogeografici. PhD thesis, University of Milan

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkens B, Delussu F (2003) Wild and domestic mammals in holocenic Sardinia. In: Legakis A, Sfenthourakis S, Polymeni R, Thessalou-Legaki M (eds) The new panorama of animal evolution. Proceedings of the 18th international congress of zoology. Pensoft, Sofia/Moscow, pp 303–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Xia L, Zhang Q, Yang Q, Meng X (2011) Bidirectional introgressive hybridization between Lepus capensis and Lepus yarkandensis. Mol Phylogenet Evol 59:545–555

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to A. Scala and A. Varcasia for the valuable information provided.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy

    Massimo Scandura & Antonio Canu

  2. Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy

    Anna Maria De Marinis

Authors
  1. Massimo Scandura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anna Maria De Marinis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Antonio Canu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Massimo Scandura .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Managment, University of Natural Resources and Life, Wien, Austria

    Klaus Hackländer

  2. Säugetiersammlung, Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Wien, Austria

    Frank E. Zachos

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Vienna, Austria

    Klaus Hackländer

  2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and CIBIO/InBIO Associate lab, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Paulo C. Alves

  3. Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA

    Paulo C. Alves

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Scandura, M., De Marinis, A.M., Canu, A. (2021). Cape Hare Lepus capensis Linnaeus, 1758. In: Hackländer, K., Zachos, F.E. (eds) Handbook of the Mammals of Europe. Handbook of the Mammals of Europe. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65038-8_10-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65038-8_10-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-65038-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-65038-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation