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249 results for “hare”
Reactive response to predation risk affects foraging time of hares, yet not their phosphorus intake
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Experimental repatriation of snowshoe hares along a southern range boundary reveals historical community interactions
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Snowshoe Hare Mark-Recapture Trapping Data from western Montana Summer 1998-2018
These data were collected over 21 years from 1998-2018 with trapping primarily occurring from May-August. Snowshoe hares were trapped at 16 different girds spread across two regions (Tally Lake and Seeley Lake). Seeley Lake (Lat. = 47.2degree, Long. = -113.4degree) and Tally Lake (Lat. = 48.5degree, Long. = -114.8degree) are approximately 175 km apart and span similar elevations (approximately 1500-1900 m.a.s.l.). Both areas are managed by the US Forest Service (USFS) with a history of multiple use including timber production and are dominated by moist, coniferous forests of Douglas fir, western larch, subalpine fir, lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce and Ponderosa pine with a herbaceous understory. Snowshoe hares were trapped during the summer using live-traps. We marked all hares greater than 500g with a unique numbered ear tag. We weighed all hares, determined sex, measured right hind foot (RHF) length and determined breeding status. Only adult hares (weight greater than 700g and RHF greater than 10cm) are included in this dataset.
Densities of snowshoe hares at Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest
Snowshoe hares, Lepus americanus, are a 'keystone' prey species in northern boreal forests and experience population fluctuations of 8-11-years. Despite intense responses of both vegetation and predators to changes in hare densities, landscape-scale comparisons of hare populations in Alaska have been limited to qualitative descriptions. We conducted capture-recapture studies of snowshoe hares at 5 locales in the Tanana valley, from Tok in the east to Clear in the west from 1999 to 2002. Snowshoe hare densities were highest in 1999 ( =6.36 ha-1, SE=0.63) and declined thereafter. We were unable to detect declines in apparent survival during declining densities in our study populations. Movement distances did not vary temporally and persistence of individuals through declining densities may be associated positively with body condition at the peak. The relationship of hare pellets and hare densities was weak and limits the utility of this methodology for estimating hare densities in Interior Alaska.
Data from: An annotated draft genome of the mountain hare (Lepus timidus)
<p>Hares (genus Lepus) provide clear examples of repeated and often massive introgressive hybridization and striking local adaptations. Genomic studies on this group have so far relied on comparisons to the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) reference genome. Here, we report the first de novo draft reference genome for a hare species, the mountain hare (Lepus timidus), and evaluate the efficacy of whole-genome re-sequencing analyses using the new reference versus using the rabbit reference genome. The genome was assembled using the ALLPATHS-LG protocol with a combination of overlapping pair and mate-pair Illumina sequencing (77x coverage). The assembly contained 32,294 scaffolds with a total length of 2.7 Gb and a scaffold N50 of 3.4 Mb. Re-scaffolding based on the rabbit reference reduced the total number of scaffolds to 4,205 with a scaffold N50 of 194 Mb. A correspondence was found between 22 of these hare scaffolds and the rabbit chromosomes, based on gene content and direct alignment. We annotated 24,578 protein coding genes by combining ab-initio predictions, homology search, and transcriptome data, of which 683 were solely derived from hare-specific transcriptome data. The hare reference genome is therefore a new resource to discover and investigate hare-specific variation. Similar estimates of heterozygosity and inferred demographic history profiles were obtained when mapping hare whole-genome re-sequencing data to the new hare draft genome or to alternative references based on the rabbit genome. Our results validate previous reference-based strategies and suggest that the chromosome-scale hare draft genome should enable chromosome-wide analyses and genome scans on hares.</p>
Hare's affairs: lessons learnt from a noninvasive genetic monitoring for tracking mountain hare individuals
<p>Systematic monitoring of individuals and their abundance over time has become an important tool to provide information for conservation. For genetic monitoring studies, noninvasive sampling has emerged as a valuable approach, particularly so for elusive or rare animals. Here, we present the five-year results of an ongoing noninvasive genetic monitoring of mountain hares (<i>Lepus timidus</i>) in a protected area in the Swiss Alps. We used nuclear microsatellites and a sex marker to identify individuals and assign species to noninvasively collected feces samples. Through including a marker for sex identification, we were able to assess sex-ratio changes and sex-specific demographic parameters over time. Male abundance in the area showed high fluctuations and apparent survival for males was lower than for females. Generally, males and females showed only little temporary migration into and out of the study area. Additionally, using genotyped tissue samples from mountain hares, European hares (<i>Lepus europaeus</i>) and their hybrids, we were able to provide evidence for the first occurrence of a European hare in the study area at an elevation of 2300 m a.s.l. in spring 2016. For future monitoring studies, we suggest to include complementary analysis methods to reliably infer species identities of the individuals analyzed and thus, not only monitor mountain hare individual abundance, but also assess the potential threats given through competitive exclusion by and hybridization with the European hare.</p>
Transcriptomic regulation of seasonal coat color change in hares
<p>Color molts from summer brown to winter white coats have evolved in several species to maintain camouflage year-round in environments with seasonal snow. Despite the eco-evolutionary relevance of this key phenological adaptation, its molecular regulation has only recently begun to be addressed. Here, we analyze skin transcription changes during the autumn molt of the mountain hare (Lepus timidus) and integrate the results with an established model of gene regulation across the spring molt of the closely related snowshoe hare (L. americanus). We quantified differences in gene expression among three stages of molt progression – "brown" (early molt), "intermediate" and "white" (late molt). We found 632 differentially expressed genes, with a major pulse of expression early in the molt, followed by a milder one in late molt. The functional makeup of differentially expressed genes anchored the sampled molt stages to the developmental timeline of the hair growth cycle, associating anagen to early molt and the transition to catagen to late molt. The progression of color change was characterized by differential expression of genes involved in pigmentation, circadian and behavioral regulation. We found significant overlap between differentially expressed genes across the seasonal molts of mountain and snowshoe hares, particularly at molt onset, suggesting conservatism of gene regulation across species and seasons. However, some discrepancies suggest seasonal differences in melanocyte differentiation and the integration of nutritional cues. Our established regulatory model of seasonal coat color molt provides an important mechanistic context to study the functional architecture and evolution of this crucial seasonal adaptation.</p>
The legacy of recurrent introgression during the radiation of hares
Hybridization may often be an important source of adaptive variation, but the extent and long-term impacts of introgression have seldom been evaluated in the phylogenetic context of a radiation. Hares (<i>Lepus</i>) represent a widespread mammalian radiation of 32 extant species characterized by striking ecological adaptations and recurrent admixture. To understand the relevance of introgressive hybridization during the diversification of <i>Lepus</i>, we analyzed whole exome sequences (61.7 Mb) from 15 species of hares (1- 4 individuals per species), spanning the global distribution of the genus, and two outgroups. We used a coalescent framework to infer species relationships and divergence times, despite extensive genealogical discordance. We found high levels of allele sharing among species and show that this reflects extensive incomplete lineage sorting and temporally layered hybridization. Our results revealed recurrent introgression at all stages along the <i>Lepus</i> radiation, including recent gene flow between extant species since the last glacial maximum, but also pervasive ancient introgression occurring since near the origin of the hare lineages. We show that ancient hybridization between northern hemisphere species has resulted in shared variation of potential adaptive relevance to highly seasonal environments, including genes involved in circadian rhythm regulation, pigmentation, and thermoregulation. Our results illustrate how the genetic legacy of ancestral hybridization may persist across a radiation, leaving a long-lasting signature of shared genetic variation that may contribute to adaptation within and among species.
Data from: Hare pseudo-reference genome from: the genomic impact of historical hybridization with massive mitochondrial DNA introgression
<p><b>Background:</b> The extent to which selection determines interspecific patterns of genetic exchanges enlightens the role of adaptation in evolution and speciation. Often reported extensive interspecific introgression could be selection-driven, but also result from demographic processes, especially in cases of invasive species replacements, which can promote introgression at their front. Because invasion and selective sweeps similarly mold variation, population genetics evidence for selection can only be gathered in an explicit demographic framework. The Iberian hare, <i>Lepus granatensis</i>, displays in its northern range extensive mitochondrial DNA introgression from <i>L. timidus</i>, an arctic/boreal species that it replaced locally after the last glacial maximum. We use whole-genome sequencing to infer geographic and genomic patterns of nuclear introgression and fit a neutral model of species replacement with hybridization, allowing us to evaluate how selection influenced introgression genome-wide, including for mtDNA.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Although the average nuclear and mtDNA introgression patterns are strongly contrasted, they fit a single neutral model of post-glacial invasive replacement of <i>timidus</i> by <i>granatensis</i>. Outliers of elevated introgression include several genes related to immunity, spermatogenesis, and mitochondrial metabolism. Introgression is reduced on the X-chromosome and in low recombining regions.</p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> General nuclear and mtDNA patterns of introgression can be explained by purely demographic processes. Hybrid incompatibilities and interplay between selection and recombination locally modulate levels of nuclear introgression. Selection promoted introgression of some genes involved in conflicts, either interspecific (parasites) or possibly cytonuclear. In the latter case, nuclear introgression could mitigate the potential negative effects of alien mtDNA on mitochondrial metabolism and male-specific traits.</p>
Data from: The transcriptional landscape of seasonal coat colour moult in the snowshoe hare
Seasonal coat colour change is an important adaptation to seasonally changing environments but the evolution of this and other circannual traits remains poorly understood. In this study we use gene expression to understand seasonal coat colour moulting in wild snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). We used hair colour to follow the progression of the moult, simultaneously sampling skin from three moulting stages in hares collected during the peak of the spring moult from white winter to brown summer pelage. Using RNA-sequencing, we tested if patterns of expression were consistent with predictions based on the established phases of the hair growth cycle. We found functionally consistent clustering across skin types, with 766 genes differentially expressed between moult stages. "White" pelage showed more differentially expressed genes that were upregulated relative to other skin types, involved in the transition between late telogen (quiescent stage) and the onset of anagen (proliferative stage). Skin samples from transitional "intermediate" and "brown" pelage were transcriptionally similar and resembled the regressive transition to catagen (regressive stage). We also detected differential expression of several key circadian clock and pigmentation genes, providing important means to dissect the bases of alternate seasonal colour morphs. Our results reveal that pelage colour is a useful biomarker for seasonal change but that there is a consistent lag between the main gene expression waves and change in visible coat colour. These experiments establish that developmental sampling from natural populations of non-model organisms can provide a crucial resource to dissect the genetic basis and evolution of complex seasonally changing traits.
Native forest and proximity to humans are stronger drivers of Brazilian cottontail habitat use than invasive European hare
<p>Human activities and biological invasions have caused unprecedented biodiversity loss over the past 500 years. Proximity to humans drives the spatial distribution of species toward less disturbed habitats. Invasive species can competitively exclude native species, but species may coexist due to different habitat preferences. Here, we investigated how proximity to farms and the presence of the non-native European hare (<em>Lepus europaeus</em>) influence the habitat use by the Brazilian cottontail (<em>Sylvilagus minensis</em>) in southeastern Brazil. We found that the probability of cottontail site use increased with native forest cover and decreased with farmhouse proximity, ranging from 0.05 (<em>SE</em> = 0.02) at sites close to farmhouses (≅ 900 m) with no native forest to 0.70 (<em>SE</em> = 0.15) at sites far from farmhouses (≅ 2500 m) dominated by native forest. Higher risk of harassment and predation by free-roaming dogs and cats may explain the negative effect of farmhouse proximity on cottontail habitat use. We found little evidence for competitive exclusion by the European hare. Instead, our results suggest that the two species spatially segregate due to different habitat preferences. While the European hare more likely uses farmland in its native and non-native range, our results suggest that the Brazilian cottontail is a forest dweller. Although we found only weak evidence of competitive exclusion, we advise caution because invasive species may delay the onset of detrimental effects due to initial low population densities in newly invaded areas as is the case of the European hare in southeastern Brazil.</p>
Data from: Camera traps reveal seasonal variation in activity and occupancy of the Alpine mountain hare (Lepus timidus varronis)
<p>Mountain hare is a cold-adapted species threatened by climate change, but despite its emblematic nature, our understanding of the causes of population decline remains limited. Camera traps are increasingly used in ecology as a tool for monitoring animal populations at large spatial and temporal scales. In mountain environments where field work is constrained by difficult access and harsh conditions, camera traps constitute a promising tool for surveying rare and elusive species such as the mountain hare. Our study explored the use of camera traps as a tool for studying seasonal habitat occupancy and daily activity patterns of the mountain hare, in order to carry out long-term monitoring of populations. We installed 46 camera traps along elevation gradients in the Mont-Blanc massif (France) from January 2018 to June 2022. We measured habitat variables at each camera trap site in order to define vegetation composition and habitat structure. We performed multi-season and single-season occupancy models to respectively describe habitat occupancy of the mountain hare throughout the year and identify the environmental variables influencing mountain hare presence during the breeding season. Mountain hares occupy coniferous forest in winter, and then switch to mixed areas of shrubland and grassland above treeline in spring and the beginning of summer. In spring, occupancy probability of the mountain hare increases with relative cover of mixed low shrub and herbaceous layer (i.e. the 10-40 cm vegetation layer), suggesting a link to food resources and protection from predation. Our results also confirm the nocturnal and crepuscular activity of the mountain hare during the breeding season, and strictly nocturnal activity in winter. Our results demonstrate the efficiency of camera traps as tools for monitoring mountain hare habitat occupancy in mountain environments and underline the importance of diverse habitat mosaics for the preservation of the species.</p>
Influence of multiple predators decreases body condition and fecundity of European hares
<p>We assessed the hypothesised negative correlation between the influence of multiple predators and body condition and fecundity of the European hare, from 13 areas in the Netherlands.</p> <p>Year-round abundance of predators was estimated by hunters. We quantified predator influence as the sum of their field metabolic rates, as this sum reflects the daily food requirements of multiple individuals. We determined the ratio between body mass and hindfoot length of hares as an index of body condition, and the weight of their adrenal gland as a measure of chronic exposure to stress, and we counted the number of placental scars to estimate the fecundity of hares.</p> <p>As hypothesised, we found that the sum of field metabolic rate of predators was negatively correlated with body condition and the number of placental scars, whereas it was positively related to the weight of the adrenal glands. In contrast to the sum of the field metabolic rate, the total number of predators did not affect the investigated risk responses.</p> <p>The sum of the field metabolic rate can be a useful proxy for the influence of multiple predators and takes into account predator abundance, type, body weight, and food requirements of multiple predators.</p> <p>With our findings, our paper contributes to a better understanding of the risk effects of multiple predators on prey fitness. Additionally, we identify a potential contributor to the decline of European hare populations.</p>
Molecular phenotyping uncovers differences in basic housekeeping functions among closely related species of hares (Lepus spp., Lagomorpha: Leporidae)
<p>Speciation is a fundamental evolutionary process, which results in genetic differentiation of populations and manifests as discrete morphological, physiological as well as behavioral differences. Each species has had its own evolutionary trajectory, formed by many types of selection pressures and random drift, making it extremely complicated to associate genetic differences between the species with the phenotypic differences. In the present study, we have used an in vitro model to analyze in depth the genetic and gene regulation differences between fibroblasts of two closely related mammals, arctic/subarctic mountain hare (Lepus timidus Linnaeus) and a temperate, steppe-like climate adapted brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas). We discovered the existence of a species-specific expression pattern of 1,623 genes, manifesting in differences in cell growth, respiration, and metabolism. Interspecific differences in the housekeeping functions of fibroblast cells suggest speciation acts on fundamental processes, even in these two interfertile species. Our results help to understand the molecular constituents of a species difference on a cellular level, which could contribute to the maintenance of the species boundary.</p>
Ritual "hare" mask
ID no.: MOK – M.O./A/255 Museum: African Museum in Olkusz https://muzea.malopolska.pl/en/objects-list/1915 Digitalisation: RDW MIC, Virtual Małopolska project Source: Objaverse 1.0 / Sketchfab
Data from: Scottish mountain hares do not respond behaviorally to camouflage mismatch
<p>Climate change has resulted in myriad stressors to wild organisms. Phenotypic plasticity, including behavioral plasticity, is hypothesized to play a key role in allowing animals to cope with rapid climate change and mitigate its negative fitness consequences. Camouflage mismatch resulting from decreasing duration of snow cover presents a stressor to species that undergo coat color molts to maintain camouflage against seasonally changing backgrounds. Winter white animals appear highly conspicuous against dark, snowless background and experience increased predation-induced mortality. Here, we evaluate the potential of behavioral plasticity to buffer against camouflage mismatch in mountain hares (<em>Lepus timidus</em>) in Scotland. We carried out field surveys in three populations over two years and found no evidence that hares modify their behaviors in response to increasing camouflage mismatch. Hares did not prefer to rest closer to light-colored rocks or farther from conspecifics with increasing color contrast. Furthermore, whiter hares did not seek to rest closer to snowy backgrounds; rather, hares preferred to sit farther from snow. These results suggest that behavioral plasticity might not be a universal, rapid mechanism facilitating adaptation to climate change.</p>
Figure 4 in The taxonomic status and geographic distribution of the European hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) in Turkey (Mammalia: Lagomorpha)
Figure 4. Hair scale structure of L. europaeus in Turkey.
Fig. 1 in "Till death do us apart": The common destiny of brown hare and its parasite community
Fig. 1. Micipsella numidica (arrow) in the thoracic cavity of one hare.
Data from: Does tolerance allow bonobos to outperform chimpanzees on a cooperative task? A conceptual replication of Hare et al., 2007
<p><span>Across various taxa, social tolerance is thought to facilitate cooperation, and many species are treated as having species-specific patterns of social tolerance. Yet studies that assess wild and captive bonobos and chimpanzees result in contrasting findings. By replicating a cornerstone experimental study on tolerance and cooperation in bonobos and chimpanzees (Hare et al., 2007</span><span> <em>Cur. Biol</em>. </span><span>17</span><span>, 619–623</span><span>), we aim to understand whether current discrepant findings may result from noise, methodological differences, or behavioural variability. We tested bonobos and chimpanzees housed at the same facility in a co-feeding and cooperation task. Food was placed on dishes located on both ends or in the middle of a platform. In the co-feeding task, the tray was simply made available to the ape duos, whereas in the cooperation task the apes had to simultaneously pull at both ends of a rope attached to the platform to retrieve the food. In contrast to the published findings, b</span><span>onobos and chimpanzees co-fed to a similar degree, indicating a similar level of tolerance. However, bonobos cooperated more than chimpanzees when the food was monopolizable, which replicates the original study. Our findings call into question the interpretation that at the species level bonobos cooperate to a higher degree because they are inherently more tolerant.</span></p>
Low genetic diversity and shallow population structure in the broom hare, Lepus castroviejoi (Lagomorpha:Leporidae)
<p><span class="TextRun SCXW115721130 BCX4"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW115721130 BCX4">Microsatellite dataset of 322 hare samples from five species: 76 samples from the broom hare (</span></span><em><span class="TextRun SCXW115721130 BCX4"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW115721130 BCX4">Lepus </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW115721130 BCX4">castroviejoi</span></span></em><span class="TextRun SCXW115721130 BCX4"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW115721130 BCX4">); 81 for the European hare (<em>L. europaeus</em>); 68 for the Iberian hare (<em>L. granatensis</em>); 77 for the mountain hare (<em>L. timidus</em>); and 20 for the Italian hare (<em>L. corsicanus</em>).</span></span></p>
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Allen Brain Atlas
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