Pedetes surdaster
Encyclopedia
Pedetes surdaster, the East African spring hare, is not closely related to the hare
but is a member of the rodent
family, Pedetidae
.
distinct from the southern African spring hare
(Pedetes capensis). This was based on genetic
, morphological
and ethological
differences. It has been found that specimens of Pedetes capensis from South Africa have fewer chromosome
s (2n= 38) than do Pedetes surdaster which have (2n = 40) and some other genetic variations. The species was confirmed by Dieterlen in 2005.
and is about the size of a rabbit
. It is mid-brown, has large erect ears, very short forelegs and long powerful hind legs. It moves in bounds of up to two metres and has a long tail fringed with black hairs which provides balance. It can sit up on its haunches like a squirrel
.
s.
Hare
Hares and jackrabbits are leporids belonging to the genus Lepus. Hares less than one year old are called leverets. Four species commonly known as types of hare are classified outside of Lepus: the hispid hare , and three species known as red rock hares .Hares are very fast-moving...
but is a member of the rodent
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
family, Pedetidae
Pedetidae
Pedetidae is a family of mammals from the rodent order. The two living species, the springhares, are distributed throughout much of southern Africa and also around Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Fossils have been found as far north as Turkey. Together with the anomalures, Pedetidae forms the suborder...
.
Taxonomy
Pedetes surdaster was recognised by Matthee and Robinson in 1997 as a speciesSpecies
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
distinct from the southern African spring hare
Springhare
The springhare , or springhaas, is not actually a hare, but a member of the order Rodentia. It is one of a number of species in the genus Pedetes, and is native to southern Africa. Synonyms are P. caffer or P...
(Pedetes capensis). This was based on genetic
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
, morphological
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
and ethological
Ethology
Ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior, and a sub-topic of zoology....
differences. It has been found that specimens of Pedetes capensis from South Africa have fewer chromosome
Chromosome
A chromosome is an organized structure of DNA and protein found in cells. It is a single piece of coiled DNA containing many genes, regulatory elements and other nucleotide sequences. Chromosomes also contain DNA-bound proteins, which serve to package the DNA and control its functions.Chromosomes...
s (2n= 38) than do Pedetes surdaster which have (2n = 40) and some other genetic variations. The species was confirmed by Dieterlen in 2005.
Distribution
This species is found in central and southern Kenya and most of Tanzania. A single specimen has been recorded in Uganda near the Kenya border, at Mount Moroto. It is found from sea level up to an altitude of over 2,000 metres.Description
The East African spring hare resembles a small kangarooKangaroo
A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae . In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, Red Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Western Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to the country...
and is about the size of a rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
. It is mid-brown, has large erect ears, very short forelegs and long powerful hind legs. It moves in bounds of up to two metres and has a long tail fringed with black hairs which provides balance. It can sit up on its haunches like a squirrel
Squirrel
Squirrels belong to a large family of small or medium-sized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots , flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and have been introduced to Australia...
.
Ecology
The East African spring hare is nocturnal and spends the day in an extensive system of burrows. It lives in semi-arid grassland habitats. The diet is the green parts of plants, roots and other vegetable matter and occasionally insectInsect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s.