32.

Hainan Hare

Lepus hainanus

French: Livre de Hainan / German: Hainan-Hase / Spanish: Liebre de Hainan

Other common names: Chinese Pinyin

Taxonomy. Lepus hainanus Swinhoe, 1870,

“in the neighbourhood of the capitalcity,” Hainan Province, Hainan Island, China.

This species was formerly a subspecies of L. peguensis but has received species status. Newly conducted genetic analysis revealed that depending on different methods either L. hainanus is conspecific with L. peguensis (genetic distance and phylogenetic network) or L. hainanus is a distinct species (phylogenetic species concept and Bayesian species delimitation analysis). Monotypic.

Distribution. Hainan I, China.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 350-390 mm, tail 45-70 mm, ear 80-100 mm, hindfoot 76-96 mm; weight 1.3-1.8 kg. The Hainan Hare is small, with soft and brightly colored fur. Dorsal fur is tawny brown, tinged with chestnut-brown and black. It has whitish eye rings that extend back toward bases of ears and anteriorly toward mouth. Sides are chestnut-brown. Tail has brownish black stripes above and is white below. Feet are pale brown with white marks. Ventral fur is white. Fur of the Hainan Hare is brighter in winter than summer.

Habitat. Shrub forests, dry farmland with scattered scrubs, plantains, and dry grassland in low-lying plains. The Hainan Hare avoids mountainous habitat and agricultural land. It does not dig burrows.

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but young Hainan Hares are reported to survive well in dry weather.

Activity patterns. The Hainan Hare is nocturnal and primarily active before midnight and in early morning, with decreased activity after midnight. Occasionally, it is active during the day.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. The Hainan Hare is endemic to China and occurs in lowlands of Hainan Island. Densities are greatest in north-western and south-western parts of Hainan Island. Formerly, the Hainan Hare was characterized as abundant but now has a decreasing population trend. Local extirpation of the Hainan Hare was recorded in 1983 as a result of overharvesting. Furthermore, more than 90% of the original natural habitat of the Hainan Hare has been destroyed by human settlement and agriculture. In 1995, it was only located on deforested land used for deer ranches in the central, west coastal part of Hainan Island. There are probably no more than 2 km? of optimal habitat remaining, and total population is estimated at only 250-500 individuals. Despitelisting as a China Key List — II species, the Hainan Hare is still poached for meat and skin. Main threats to the Hainan Hare are overharvesting and habitat destruction. It might face competition from feral domestic European Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Recommendations are to enforce existing laws prohibiting hunting and trade of Hainan Hares, improve habitat management, and enhance education at local, national, and international levels about their protected status.

Bibliography. Flux & Angermann (1990), Hoffmann & Smith (2005), Kong Lingming et al. (2016), Lazell et al. (1995, 2008), Smith (2008c).