Total length, 375-463; tail, 39-65; hind foot, 87-104; ear from notch (dry), 49-68; upper parts brownish or grayish; underside of tail white; skull with transversely thick posterior extension of supraorbital process of frontal. The geographic range is the largest of all of the North American species of the genus Sylvilagus; from Canada the species occurs south at least to Costa Rica and it may occur in Panamá for the species is recorded also from South America.
In the western part of the Great Plains this species is confined to the riparian growth along streams and Sylvilagus audubonii occupies the remainder of the terrain. In New Mexico and southwestern Texas S. floridanus is confined to the boreal life-zones where timber provides denser cover than is found in the lower life-zones. The zonal range is from the Canadian Life-zone into the Tropical Life-zone. It is not surprising, therefore, that there is much geographic variation in the shape and size of the skull. There is so much geographic variation in the skull that it is impossible, at this writing at least, to frame a description that will enable the reader to distinguish the skull from those of all other species of the genus. In any given area, however, it is possible, easily and certainly, to distinguish the skulls of S. floridanus from those of the other species which occur in that area.
Sylvilagus floridanus alacer (Bangs).
1896. Lepus sylvaticus alacer Bangs, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 10:136, December 28, type from Stilwell, Boston Mountains, Adair County, Oklahoma.
Marginal records.—Missouri (Nelson, 1909:176): Columbia; St. Louis. Illinois: Ozark (Necker and Hatfield, 1941:56). Tennessee (Nelson, 1909:176): Samburg; Raleigh. Mississippi (Nelson, 1909:176): Michigan City; Bay St. Louis. Texas (Nelson, 1909:176): Port Lavaca; Brazos; Henrietta. Oklahoma: Norman (Blair, 1939:128). Kansas: 8 mi. NE Harper (12917 KU); Rago (12508 KU); Halstead (3110 KU); 4 mi. S and 14 mi. W Hamilton (13673 KU); 3 mi. N Chanute (22026 KU).
Sylvilagus floridanus ammophilus A. H. Howell.
1939. Sylvilagus floridanus ammophilus A. H. Howell, Jour. Mamm., 20:365, August 14, type from "Oak Lodge", on peninsula opposite Micco, Florida. Known from type locality only.
Guide to kinds:
Sylvilagus floridanus aztecus (J. A. Allen).
1890. Lepus sylvaticus aztecus J. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 3:188, December 10, type from Tehuantepec City, Oaxaca.
1904. Sylvilagus (Sylvilagus) floridanus aztecus, Lyon, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 45:336, June 15.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:188, unless otherwise noted).—Oaxaca: Santa Maria Petapa; Santa Efigenia. Chiapas: Tonala, 50 M (Hooper, 1947:56). Oaxaca: Salina Cruz; type locality.
Sylvilagus floridanus chapmani (J. A. Allen).
1899. Lepus floridanus chapmani J. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 12:12, March 4, type from Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas.
1904. Sylvilagus (Sylvilagus) floridanus chapmani, Lyon, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 45:336, June 15.
1899. Lepus floridanus caniclunis Miller, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, p. 388, October 5, type from Fort Clark, Kinney County, Texas.
1902. Lepus simplicicanus Miller, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 15:81, April 25, type from Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:178).—Texas: Clyde; Victoria County; Rockport. Tamaulipas: Soto la Marina; Juamave. Coahuila: Monclova; Sabinas. Texas: Comstock; Stanton.
Sylvilagus floridanus chiapensis (Nelson).
1904. Lepus floridanus chiapensis Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 17:106, May 18, type from San Cristobal, Chiapas.
1909. Sylvilagus floridanus chiapensis, Lyon and Osgood, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 62:32, January 28.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:190, unless otherwise noted).—Chiapas: type locality; Comitan. Guatemala: Hacienda Chancol; Panajachel (Goodwin, 1934:56). Chiapas: Tuxtla.
Sylvilagus floridanus cognatus Nelson.
1907. Sylvilagus cognatus Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 20:82, July 22, type from near summit of the Manzano Mountains, Valencia County, New Mexico.
1951. Sylvilagus floridanus cognatus, Hall and Kelson, Univ. Kansas Publ., Mus. Nat. Hist., 5:55, October 1, 1951.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:193).—New Mexico: Santa Rosa, 35 mi. N on Conchas River; Capitan Mts.; Datil Mts.; type locality.
Sylvilagus floridanus connectens (Nelson).
1904. Lepus floridanus connectens Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 17:105, May 18, type from Chichicaxtle, central Veracruz.
1909. Sylvilagus floridanus connectens, Lyon and Osgood, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 62:32, January 28.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:186).—Tamaulipas: Altamira. Veracruz: type locality. Oaxaca: Mt. Zempoaltepec. Veracruz: Orizaba (City of); Jico. Puebla: Metlaltoyuca. Queretaro: Pinal de Amoles. San Luis Potosí: Valles.
Sylvilagus floridanus costaricensis Harris.
1933. Sylvilagus floridanus costaricensis Harris, Occas. Papers Mus. Zool., Univ. Michigan, 266:3, June 28, type from Hacienda Santa Maria, Province of Guanacaste, 3200 ft, Costa Rica.
Marginal records (Goodwin, 1946:358).—Costa Rica: El Pelón; type locality; Tenorio.
Sylvilagus floridanus floridanus (J. A. Allen).
1890. Lepus sylvaticus floridanus J. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 3:160, October 8, type from Sebastian River, Brevard County, Florida.
1904. Sylvilagus floridanus, Lyon, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 45:322, June 15.
Marginal records.—Florida: San Mateo (Sherman, 1936:122); Enterprise (ibid.); Miakka Lake (230812 USBS); Blitches Ferry (Sherman, 1936:122).
Sylvilagus floridanus hitchensi Mearns.
1911. Sylvilagus floridanus hitchensi Mearns, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 39:227, January 9, type from Smiths Island, Northampton County, Virginia.
Marginal records.—Virginia: type locality; Fishermans Island (Handley and Patton, 1947:187).
Sylvilagus floridanus holzneri (Mearns).
1896. Lepus sylvaticus holzneri Mearns, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 18:554, June 24, type from Douglas spruce zone, near summit of Huachuca Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona.
1904. Sylvilagus (Sylvilagus) floridanus holzneri, Lyon, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 45:336, June 15.
1896. [Lepus sylvaticus] subspecies rigidus Mearns, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 18:555, June 24, type from Carrizalillo Mts., near monument No. 31, Mexican boundary line, Grant County, New Mexico.
1903. Lepus (Sylvilagus) durangae J. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 19:609, November 12, type from Rancho Bailon, northwestern Durango.
Marginal records.—Arizona: Pine Springs, 15 mi. S of Canyon of Colorado (Hall and Kelson, 1951:54); Reynolds Creek R. S., Sierra Ancha Mts. (ibid.); W base Mt. Turnbull, 4500 ft. (ibid.). New Mexico: Silver City (Nelson, 1909:180); Animas Mts. (ibid.). Zacatecas: Valparaiso (ibid.); Plateado (ibid.). Chihuahua: Guadalupe y Calvo (ibid.). Arizona: Thomas Cañon, 2 mi. E Baboquivari Mts. (Hall and Kelson, 1951:54), Hualapi Mts. (ibid.).
Sylvilagus floridanus hondurensis Goldman.
1932. Sylvilagus floridanus hondurensis Goldman, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 45:122, July 30, type from Monte Redondo, approximately 30 mi. NW Tegucigalpa, 5100 ft., Honduras.
Marginal records.—Honduras: Santa Barbara (Goodwin, 1942:150); Cedros (ibid.). Nicaragua: Jinotega (Nelson, 1909:190); Chontales ["District" of] (ibid.); Leon. Honduras: Ocotepeque (Goodwin, 1942:150).
Sylvilagus floridanus llanensis Blair.
1938. Sylvilagus floridanus llanensis Blair, Occas. Papers. Mus. Zool., Univ. Michigan, 380:1, June 21, type from Old "F" Ranch headquarters, Quitaque, Briscoe County, Texas.
Marginal records.—Kansas: 15 mi. N and 3 mi. E Stafford (5547 KU); 1 mi. NE Aetna (12144 KU). Oklahoma: 3 mi SE Southard (10063 KU); Fort Cobb (Blair, 1939:129); Mt. Scott (ibid.). Texas: 6 mi. E Coahoma (Blair, 1938:3); 6 mi. southwest of Muleshoe (ibid.). Kansas: Coolidge (18462 KU).
Sylvilagus floridanus mallurus (Thomas).
1898. L[epus]. n[uttalli]. mallurus Thomas, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 2(ser. 7):320, October, type from Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.
1904. Sylvilagus floridanus mallurus, Lyon, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 45:323, June 15.
1837. Lepus sylvaticus Bachman, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 7:403, no type or type locality. Name given to the "common gray rabbit" of the eastern United States and probably with particular reference to the animal in South Carolina. Name preoccupied by Lepus borealis sylvaticus Nilson, 1832, from Sweden.
Marginal records.—Connecticut: Bear Mountain (Goodwin, 1935:163), south along coast to Florida: Lake Julian (Nelson, 1909:168); Rock Bluff (Sherman, 1936:122). Alabama: Bayou Labatre (A. H. Howell, 1921:71); Leighton (ibid.). Tennessee (Kellogg, 1939:291): Arlington; Hornbeak; Highcliff; Watauga Valley. West Virginia: Ernshaw (Kellogg, 1937:472). Pennsylvania (Nelson, 1909:169): Waynesburg; Potts Grove. New York: Palenville (ibid.).
Sylvilagus floridanus mearnsii (J. A. Allen).
1894. Lepus sylvaticus mearnsii J. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 6:171, May 31, type from Fort Snelling, Hennepin County, Minnesota.
1904. Sylvilagus (Sylvilagus) floridanus mearnsi, Lyon, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 45:336, June 15.
Marginal records.—Minnesota: Fertile (Swanson, Surber and Roberts, 1945:97); Duluth (ibid.). Michigan: Marquette County (Burt, 1946:249). Ontario: Lake Simcoe (Miller, 1924:464). Quebec (Anderson, 1947): Montreal (p. 103); Quebec-side Ottawa River in Laurentian Hills (p. 104). New York: "eastern New York" (Hamilton, 1943:383). Pennsylvania: Lopez (Nelson, 1909:172). West Virginia: 7 mi. E Phillipi (Kellogg, 1937:473); Gilboa (ibid.). Illinois: Sangamon (Nelson, 1909:172). Kansas: Neosho Falls (5104 KU); 1 mi. N and 1/2 mi. E Lincolnville (12964 KU); 6 mi. SW Clay Center (12398 KU); Strawberry (4510 KU). Minnesota: Otter Tail County (Surber, 1932:74).
Sylvilagus floridanus orizabae (Merriam).
1893. Lepus orizabae Merriam, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 8:143, December 29, type from Mt. Orizaba, 9500 ft., Puebla.
1909. Sylvilagus floridanus orizabae, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:183, August 31.
1903. Lepus floridanus persultator Elliott, Field Columb. Mus., publ. 71, zool. ser., 3:147, March 20, type from Puebla, Puebla.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:185).—Coahuila: Sierra Encarnación. Hidalgo: Encarnación. Veracruz: Las Vigas; Mt. Orizaba. Puebla: Chalchicomula. México: Mt. Popocatepetl; Volcano of Toluca. Guanajuato: Santa Rosa. San Luis Potosí: San Luis Potosí.
Sylvilagus floridanus restrictus Nelson.
1907. Sylvilagus floridanus restrictus Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 20:82, July 22, type from Zapotlan, Jalisco.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:183).—Nayarit: Tepic; Ojo de Agua. Jalisco: La Cienega; Atenguillo. Michoacán: Mt. Tancítaro; Pátzcuaro. Jalisco: type locality; Las Canoas; La Laguna.
Sylvilagus floridanus robustus (V. Bailey).
1905. Lepus pinetus robustus V. Bailey, N. Amer. Fauna, 25:159, October 24, type from 6000 ft., Davis Mts., Jeff Davis County, Texas.
1951. Sylvilagus floridanus robustus, Hall and Kelson, Univ. Kansas Publ., Mus. Nat. Hist., 5:56, October 1, 1951.
Marginal records.—Texas: The Bowl, Guadalupe Mts. (Hall and Kelson, 1951:56); Chisos Mts. (Nelson, 1909:195); 35 mi. S Marfa (ibid.).
Sylvilagus floridanus russatus (J. A. Allen).
1904. Lepus (Sylvilagus) russatus J. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 20:31, February 29, type from Pasa Nueva, southern Veracruz.
1909. Sylvilagus floridanus russatus, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:186, August 31.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:187).—Veracruz: Catemaco; Coatzacoalcos; Minatitlan; type locality; Jimba (KU 19895).
Sylvilagus floridanus similis Nelson.
1907. Sylvilagus floridanus similis Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 20:82, July 22, type from Valentine, Cherry County, Nebraska.
Marginal records.—Manitoba: Dauphin (Anderson and Rand, 1943:24). Minnesota: Ten Mile Lake (Surber, 1932:74). Nebraska: Neligh (Nelson, 1909:174). Kansas: Long Island (ibid.); 3 mi. N and 2 mi. W Hoisington (16509 KU); Lane County (5520 KU); Elkader (5595 KU). Colorado: Arvada (Cary, 1911:158). Wyoming: 6400 ft., 3 mi. E Horse Creek, P. O. (15936 KU). Nebraska: 8 mi. E Chadron (39380 KU). Montana: Little Missouri River, 7 mi. NE Albion (Hall and Kelson, 1951:52); Box Elder Creek, 25 mi. SW Sykes (ibid.). North Dakota: Oakdale (Bailey, 1927:134).
Sylvilagus floridanus subcinctus (Miller).
1899. Lepus floridanus subcinctus Miller, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, p. 386, October 5, type from Hacienda El Molino, near Negrete, Michoacán.
1904. Sylvilagus floridanus subcinctus, Lyon, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 45:336, June 15.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:181).—Jalisco: Lagos. Guanajuato: Acámbaro. Michoacán: Querendaro. Jalisco: Ameca; Etzatlán.
Sylvilagus floridanus yucatanicus (Miller).
1899. Lepus floridanus yucatanicus Miller, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, p. 384, September 29, type from Mérida, Yucatán.
1904. Sylvilagus floridanus yucatanicus, Lyon, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 45:336, June 15.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:191).—Yucatán: Progreso; type locality. Campeche: Campeche.
1895. Lepus sylvaticus transitionalis Bangs, Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 26:405, January 31, type from Liberty Hill, New London County, Connecticut.
1909. Sylvilagus transitionalis, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:195, August 31.
Marginal records.—Vermont: west side at Canadian boundary (Osgood, F. L., Jr., 1938:440); Montpelier (ibid.). Maine: Sagadahoc County (Palmer, 1944:194); Androscoggin County (ibid.). New York: Miller Place (Nelson, 1909:199). Virginia: Roanoke County (Llewellyn and Handley, 1946:385). North Carolina: Roan Mtn. (Nelson, 1909:199). Georgia: Brasstown Bald Mtn. (A. H. Howell, 1921:71). Alabama: Erin (ibid.); Ardell (ibid.). Tennessee: Walden Ridge, "near" Soddy (Kellogg, 1939:291). West Virginia: Ronceverte (Kellogg, 1937:473). Pennsylvania: Renovo (Nelson, 1909:199). New York: Lake George (ibid.).
Total length, 388; tail, 39; hind foot, 95; ear from notch (dry), 52. Upper parts almost pinkish buff, varying to almost ochraceous buff; back overlaid by a distinct black wash giving a penciled effect; anterior extension of supraorbital process obsolete or short and closely appressed to orbital rim; tympanic bullae small, smaller than in any subspecies of S. floridanus in the United States. S. transitionalis is a forest-inhabiting species—more so than is S. floridanus.
Total length, 350-390; tail, 44-50; hind foot, 88-100; ear from notch (dry), 55-56; weight in Nevada, ♂ 678, 3 ♀ 928 (868-1032) grams. Hind feet densely covered with long hair; ear short; tympanic bulla of moderate size. In the northern part of its range S. nuttallii occurs principally in the sagebrush areas but it occurs also in the timbered areas of the Transition Life-zone and almost exclusively in timbered areas in the southern part of its range. From S. floridanus, S. nuttallii along the eastern margin of its range differs in more slender rostrum, and larger external auditory meatus. In New Mexico and Arizona, S. nuttallii differs from S. floridanus in the posteriorly pointed and un-notched supraoccipital shield and in the posterior extension of the supraorbital process, the tip of which projects free from the braincase or merely lies against the braincase instead of being firmly welded to the side of the skull. From S. audubonii, S. nuttallii differs in shorter ears, smaller tympanic bullae and smaller hind legs; S. nuttallii usually occurs at higher elevations, or where the two occur at approximately the same elevation S. nuttallii occurs in wooded or brushy areas and S. audubonii lives on the plains or in relatively open country. Eight females contained an average of 6.1 (4-8) embryos.
Sylvilagus nuttallii grangeri (J. A. Allen).
1895. Lepus sylvaticus grangeri J. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 7:264, August 21, type from Hill City, Black Hills, Pennington County, South Dakota.
1909. Sylvilagus nuttalli grangeri, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:204, August 31.
1904. Lepus l[aticinctus]. perplicatus Elliott, Field Columb. Mus., publ. 87, zool. ser., 3:255, January 7, type from Hannopee [= Hannaupah] Canyon, Panamint Mts., Inyo County, California.
Marginal records.—Alberta: Steveville (Anderson, 1943:25). Saskatchewan (ibid.): Cypress Hills; Johnston Lake; Big Muddy Lake. North Dakota: Goodall (V. Bailey, 1927:137). South Dakota: Custer (Nelson, 1909:207). Wyoming: 2 mi. W Horse Creek P. O. (15935 KU); Sherman (Nelson, 1909:207). Colorado: Meeker (Warren, 1942:272). Utah (Nelson, 1909:207): Mt. Ellen; "Upper Kanab"; Panguitch. Nevada (Hall, 1946:612): 1/4 mi. W Utah-Nev. boundary, 38° 17´ N, 7300 ft.; S end Belted Range, 5 mi. NW Whiterock Spring, 7200 ft.; Chiatovich Creek, 7000 ft.; 2-1/2 mi. E and 1 mi. S Grapevine Peak, 6700 ft.; Charleston Park, Kyle Cañon, 8000 ft. California (Orr, 1940:103): Johnson Canyon, 6500 ft.; nr. Woodfords, 5500 ft. Nevada (Hall, 1946:612): Calvada; Hardscrabble Canyon; Paradise Valley. Idaho (Davis, 1939:363): S. Fork Owyhee River, 12 mi. N Nevada line; Crane Creek, 15 mi. E Midvale; Lemhi. Montana: 4 mi. W Hamilton (Jellison, MS); 2 mi. N Moise Lake (ibid.). Alberta: Cardston (Anderson, 1947:105).
Sylvilagus nuttallii nuttallii (Bachman).
1837. Lepus nuttallii Bachman, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 7:345, type locality probably eastern Oregon near mouth of Malheur River.
1904. Sylvilagus nuttallii, Lyon, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 45:323, June 15.
Marginal records.—British Columbia: Anarchist Mtn., Osoyoos (Cowan, 1940:9). Washington: Kettle Falls (Dalquest, 1941:408). Idaho: Couer d' Alene (Rust, 1946:322); Lewiston (Davis, 1939:361); Fiddle Creek (ibid.). Nevada (Hall, 1946:612): 5800 ft., Quinn River Crossing; 1/2 mi. S Granite Cr., Granite Mts.; Smoke Creek, 9 mi. E California line; 4-1/2 mi. S Flanigan. California: Truckee (Orr, 1940:101); Beckwith (ibid.); Weed (Orr, 1940:100); Yreka (ibid.). Oregon (V. Bailey, 1936:107): near Ashland; Bend; The Dalles. Washington: Grand Dalles (Taylor and Shaw, 1929:29); Yakima Valley (ibid.); Douglas (Nelson, 1909:203).
Sylvilagus nuttallii pinetis (J. A. Allen).
1894. Lepus sylvaticus pinetis J. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 6:348, December 7, type from White Mts., south of Mt. Ord, Apache County, Arizona, according to Warren (Mammals of Colorado, 1942:270).
1909. Sylvilagus nuttalli pinetis, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:207, August 31.
Marginal records.—Colorado (Nelson, 1909:210): Arkins; Golden; Greenhorn Mts. New Mexico: Sierra Grande (Nelson, 1909:211); Willis (ibid.); Zuni Mts. (V. Bailey, 1932:60). Arizona: type locality. Utah (Durrant, MS): 4-1/2 mi. NW Bluff; Block Canyon, 19 mi. SE Moab, 5400 ft.; 5 mi. NE La Sal P. O., 8000 ft.
Total length, 350-420; tail, 45-75; hind foot, 75-100; ear from notch (dry), 55-70; weight of S. a. vallicola, 7 ♂ 912 (835-988), 2 ♀ 1096, 1191 grams. Long hind legs, long ears, sparseness of hair on the ears, shortness of hair on the feet, prominent (upturned) supraorbital process of the skull and much inflated tympanic bullae are characters of this wide-spread species. Embryos in 19 Californian females averaged 3.6 (2-6) per female.
Sylvilagus audubonii arizonae (J. A. Allen).
1877. [Lepus sylvaticus] var. arizonae J. A. Allen, Monogr. North Amer. Rodentia, p. 332, August, type from Beals Spring, Yavapai Co., Arizona.
1909. Sylvilagus auduboni arizonae, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:222, August 31.
1896. Lepus arizonae major Mearns, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 18:557, June 24, type from Calabasas, Pima County, Arizona.
1904. Lepus laticinctus Elliot, Field Columb. Mus., publ. 87, zool. ser., 3:254, January 7, type from Oro Grande, Mohave Desert, San Bernardino County, California.
1904. Lepus l[aticinctus]. rufipes Elliot, Field Columb. Mus., publ. 87, zool. ser., 3:254, January 7, type from Furnace Cr., Inyo Co., California.
Marginal records.—Utah (Durrant, MS): 2 mi. SW Fish Springs; Holden; 7 mi. SW Tropic. Arizona (Nelson, 1909:225): Seligman; Ft. Verde; Dos Cabesos. Sonora (Burt, 1938:69): Tecoripa; La Libertad Ranch. Baja California: San Matias Pass (Nelson, 1909:225). California: Vallecito (Orr, 1940:126); Fairmont, Antelope Valley (ibid.); Little Lake, 3300 ft. (Orr, 1940:125); 5300-5639 ft., near Benton (ibid.). Nevada (Hall, 1946:614): Arlemont; 4 mi. E Smith Creek Cave.
Sylvilagus audubonii audubonii (Baird).
1858. Lepus audubonii Baird, Mamm. N. Amer., p. 608, July 14, type from San Francisco, San Francisco County, California.
1909. Sylvilagus auduboni, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:214, August 31.
Marginal records (Orr, 1940:115).—California: 600 ft., Paines Creek; Rackerby; Pleasant Valley; Snelling; 2 mi. S mouth Salinas River, northward not reaching coast again except at San Francisco, thence around shores of San Francisco Bay to mouth of Carquinez Straits and northward along western side of Sacramento Valley to Winslow, 5 mi. W Fruto.
Sylvilagus audubonii baileyi (Merriam).
1897. Lepus baileyi Merriam, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 11:148, June 9, type from Spring Creek, east side of Bighorn Basin, Bighorn County, Wyoming.
1908. Sylvilagus auduboni baileyi, Lantz, Trans. Kansas Acad. Sci., 22:336.
Marginal records.—Montana: Great Falls of the Missouri (Nelson, 1909:234). North Dakota: Wade on the Cannonball River (V. Bailey, 1927:138). South Dakota: Corral Draw (Nelson, 1909:234). Nebraska: Glen (ibid.). Kansas: 2-1/2 mi. S and 4 mi. W Oberlin (19035 KU); Wakeeney (1203 KU). Colorado (Nelson, 1909:234): Monon; The Cedars; Quenda [=Querida]; Salida. Wyoming: 1/2 mi. W Horse Creek P. O. (15948 KU). Colorado (Nelson, 1909:234): White Rock [2 mi. above Meeker, 6400 ft.]; 20 mi. SW Rangely. Utah (Durrant, MS): 8 mi. S Myton; 6 mi. NW Duchesne; 10 mi. E Mountain Home. Wyoming (Nelson, 1909:234): Ft. Bridger; Big Piney; Circle. Montana: Stillwater (ibid.). Phillips Creek, Montana (Nelson 1909:234) not found.
Sylvilagus audubonii cedrophilus Nelson.
1907. Sylvilagus auduboni cedrophilus Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 20:83, July 22, type from Cactus Flat, 20 mi. N Cliff, Grant County, New Mexico.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:230).—Arizona: San Francisco Mts. New Mexico: Gallup; Santa Rosa; Capitan; Ancho; Isleta; Burro Mts. Arizona: Springerville.
Sylvilagus audubonii confinis (J. A. Allen).
1898. Lepus arizonae confinis J. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 10: 146, April 12, type from Playa Maria, Baja California.
1909. Sylvilagus auduboni confinis, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:220, August 31.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:221).—Baja California: type locality; San Bruno, thence southerly over peninsula to tip.
Sylvilagus audubonii goldmani (Nelson).
1904. Lepus arizonae goldmani Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 17:107, May 18, type from Culiacán, Sinaloa.
1909. Sylvilagus auduboni goldmani Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:225, August 31.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:226).—Sonora: Ortiz; Camoa. Sinaloa: Bacubirito; type locality.
Sylvilagus audubonii minor (Mearns).
1896. Lepus arizonae minor Mearns, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 18:557, June 24, type from El Paso, El Paso County, Texas.
1907. S[ylvilagus]. a[uduboni]. minor, Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 20:83, July 22.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:228, unless otherwise noted).—New Mexico: [12 mi. N] Tularosa. Texas: Kent; Haymond; Langtry. Durango (Nelson, 1909:229): Inde; Rancho Bailon; Río Campo. Arizona: San Bernardino Ranch. New Mexico: Red Rock; Lordsburg.
Sylvilagus audubonii neomexicanus Nelson.
1907. Sylvilagus auduboni neomexicanus Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 20:83, July 22, type from Fort Sumner, Guadalupe County, New Mexico.
Marginal records.—Kansas: 1 mi. E Coolidge (12976 KU); Rezeau Ranch, 5 mi. N Belvidere (13208 KU). Texas: Wichita Falls (Nelson, 1909:236); San Angelo (ibid.); Adam [=15 mi. E Adams] (Nelson, 1909:236); 28 mi. S Alpine (Borell and Bryant, 1942:39); 15 mi. S Alpine, (Hall and Kelson, 1951:57); 7 mi. NE Marfa (Blair, 1940:34); Toyahvale [= 10 mi. S of] (Nelson, 1909:236); McKittrick Canyon (Davis and Robertson, 1944:271). New Mexico: Roswell (V. Bailey, 1932:54); Emory Peak (ibid.).
Sylvilagus audubonii parvulus (J. A. Allen).
1904. Lepus (Sylvilagus) parvulus J. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 20:34, February 29, type from Apam, Hidalgo.
1909. Sylvilagus auduboni parvulus, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:236, August 31.
Marginal records (Nelson, 1909:237, unless otherwise noted).—Texas: Llano; San Diego; Rio Grande City. Tamaulipas: El Mulato (Dice, 1937:256); Miquihuana. San Luis Potosí: Rio Verde. Veracruz: Perote. Puebla: Chalchicomula. Guanajuato: Silao. Durango: Durango City. Coahuila: Monclova. Texas: Comstock.
Sylvilagus audubonii sanctidiegi (Miller).
1899. Lepus floridanus sanctidiegi Miller, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 51:389, October 5, type from Mexican Boundary Monument No. 258, shore of Pacific Ocean, San Diego County, California.
1909. Sylvilagus auduboni sanctidiegi, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:218, August 31.
Marginal records.—California (Orr, 1940:122): Sespe; Reche Canyon near Colton; San Felipe Canyon. Baja California (Nelson, 1909:220): Nachogüero Valley; Santo Tomas, thence northerly along coast.
Sylvilagus audubonii vallicola Nelson.
1907. Sylvilagus auduboni vallicola Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 20:82, July 22, type from San Emigdio Ranch, Kern County, California.
Marginal records (Orr, 1940:118, unless otherwise noted).—California: Fresno Flat (Nelson, 1909:218); Badger (ibid.); 2750 ft., Onyx; Tehachapi (Nelson, 1909:218); Mt. Pinos (Orr, 1940:119), northwesterly, seldom actually reaching coast, to central Monterey County thence easterly to point of beginning.
Sylvilagus audubonii warreni Nelson.
1907. Sylvilagus auduboni warreni Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 20:83, July 22, type from Coventry, Montrose County, Colorado.
Marginal records.—Utah: 5250 ft., Willow Creek (Durrant, MS). Colorado (Nelson, 1909:232): Rifle; Villa Grove; Medano Ranch. New Mexico: Hondo Canyon (Nelson, 1909:232); Cieneguilla (ibid.); Juan Tafoya (Bailey, 1932:59). Arizona (Nelson, 1909:232): Holbrook; Winslow. Utah: Canesville (sic) (Nelson, 1909:232); Wellington (Durrant, MS).
Total length, 530-540; tail, 67-71; hind foot, 105-110; length of ear from notch (dry), 63-67. Upper parts blackish brown or reddish brown; underparts with some white; under side of tail white; skull robust; posterior extensions of supraorbital processes joined for their entire length with side of braincase or, in some specimens, with a small foramen between the braincase and the base of the posterior extension of the supraorbital process. This big rabbit is a stronger runner than the smaller marsh rabbit and is easily distinguished from the smaller species by larger size and white, instead of brownish or grayish, underside of the tail.
Sylvilagus aquaticus aquaticus (Bachman).
1837. Lepus aquaticus Bachman, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 7:319, type locality western Alabama.
1909. Sylvilagus aquaticus, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:270, August 31.
1895. Lepus aquaticus attwateri J. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 7:327, November 8, type from Medina River, 18 mi. S San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.
1899. Lepus telmalemonus Elliot, Field Columb. Mus., publ. 38, zool. ser., 1:285, May 25, type from Washita River, near Dougherty, Murray County, Oklahoma.
Marginal records.—Illinois: 6 mi. N Sesser (Cockrum, 1949:427). Indiana: Point Township (Harrison and Hickie, 1931:319). Tennessee: 5 mi. W Hornbeak (Kellogg, 1939:292); Henryville (A. H. Howell, 1909:63). Alabama: Huntsville (Nelson, 1909:273); Big Crow Creek near Stevenson (A. H. Howell, 1921:71). South Carolina: "about" 3 mi. SE Westminster (F. Sherman, 1939:259); "about" 5 mi. W Iva (ibid.). Georgia: Fulton County (ibid.); Lumpkin (Nelson, 1909:273). Alabama: Castleberry (ibid.). Louisiana: Covington (Lowery, 1936:32); Kleinpeter (ibid.). Texas (Nelson, 1909:273): Sourlake; Richmond; Medina River, 18 mi. SW San Antonio; Gurley. Oklahoma: 7 mi. NW Stillwater (Blair, 1939:129). Kansas: Crawford County (8826 KU). Arkansas: along White River near Springdale (Black, 1936:34). Missouri: 3 mi. SW Udall (Leopold and Hall, 1945:145). Arkansas: White River near Augusta (Dellinger and Black, 1940:190). Missouri: St. Francis River, W of Senath (Nelson, 1909:273).
Sylvilagus aquaticus littoralis Nelson.
1909. Sylvilagus aquaticus littoralis Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:273, August 31, type from Houma, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.
Range.—Swamps and marshes along Gulf Coast, wholly within Lower Austral Life-zone, below 50 ft., from Mobile Bay west to Matagordo Bay. Inland Marginal records.—Alabama: Blakely Island opposite Mobile (A. H. Howell, 1921:73). Mississippi: Bay St. Louis (Nelson, 1909:275). Louisiana: Rayne (Lowery, 1936:32); Hackberry (Nelson, 1909:275). Texas: Matagorda (Nelson, 1909:275).
1904. Lepus insonus Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 17:103, May 18, type from Omilteme, Guerrero. Known from type locality only.
1909. Sylvilagus insonus, Lyon and Osgood, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 62:34, January 28 (see Hershkovitz, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 100:335, May 26, 1950, for allocation of S. insonus to subgenus Sylvilagus instead of to subgenus Tapeti).
Total length, 435; tail, 42.5; hind foot, 95; ear from notch (dry), 61. Color grayish brown above and dingy (not white) below; tail dingy buffy below and dull rusty brown above. The collectors thought that the species was restricted to the forested parts of the Sierra Madre del Sur between 7000 and 10,000 feet altitude in the Mexican state of Guerrero.
Total length, 485-515; tail, 54-68; hind foot, 108-111; ear from notch (dry), 60-63. Pelage coarse; upper parts brownish gray; skull massive; posterior extensions of supraorbital processes varying from those that project free to those that have the tips, or tips and a considerable part of the processes, attached to the braincase.
Sylvilagus cunicularius cunicularius (Waterhouse).
1848. Lepus cunicularius Waterhouse, Nat. Hist. Mammalia, 2:132, type from Zacualpan (probably in state of México).
1909. Sylvilagus cunicularius, Nelson, N. Amer. Fauna, 29:239, August 31.
1890. Lepus verae-crucis Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 74, June, type from Las Vigas, Veracruz.