Definition
Mammalian life history traits include length of gestation, size and number of offspring, growth patterns, weaning age, timing of sexual maturity, adult body mass, reproductive lifespans, individual longevity, population density, and group composition and size (Jones et al. 2009).
Introduction
The term “lagomorph” describes species of the mammalian order Lagomorpha (lit: “hare-form”), which is made up of two families, the hares and rabbits (Leporidae; also known as leporids) and the pikas (Ochotonidae). These two groups are united by shared morphological traits which are unique among extant mammals, including several aspects of cranial anatomy and a circulatory channel running through the heel bone (Fostowicz-Frelik and Meng 2013). The evolutionary history of lagomorphs is not clear, though ongoing research continues to shed light on the origins of the order. Leporids and pikas diverged in the Eocene,...
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References
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Caravaggi, A. (2022). Lagomorpha Life History. In: Vonk, J., Shackelford, T.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55065-7_1206
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55065-7_1206
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