The teporingo (Romerolagus diazi), commonly known as “tepolito”, “zacatuche” or “volcano rabbit”, is a species of placental mammal that belongs to the family Leporidae of the order Logomorpha, characterized by having two pairs of incisor teeth.
The zacatuche is an endemic species of Mexico. The name zacatuche comes from the Nahuatl word zacatl, which means "rabbit of the grass"; like totchli (tepolito) that means “rabbit of the rocks”. From the latter it is believed that the word teporingo derives.
Source: By Geni - Photo by user: geni, CC BY-SA 4.0, The distribution of the teporingo is restricted in the central portion of the Transversal Neovolcanic axis on the middle slopes of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl, and to the mountains that surround the Basin of Mexico.
It is a relatively small rabbit, being the second smallest of the logomorphs after the pygmy rabbit. The legs are short and its ears are small and rounded. In adult specimens, the tail goes almost unnoticed.
The species can reproduce throughout the year. However, breeding peaks are observed in the summer. The gestation period usually lasts between 38 to 40 days, with an average of 2.1 offspring per gestation. Newborn specimens come out with their eyes closed and open after 4 to 8 days.
They live in burrows made of grass and dry plant material in groups of two to five individuals. They are diurnal habits, observing greater activity between 10 to 14 hours. In the face of danger, they emit a high-pitched warning sound.
These rabbits are food for many wild predators, being a fundamental part of the trophic chain. Furthermore, as herbivores they contribute to the composition and structure of plant communities. Despite this, habitat fragmentation, along with poaching, have diminished or diminished the population to the point of being in danger of extinction.
characteristics
The zacatuche is a relatively small rabbit in the Leporidae family, a family that includes rabbits and hares. It is the second smallest species of lagomorphic mammal after the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis).
Individuals have short legs and hair-covered pads (pads). The front legs have five digits and the hind legs have four digits. The rabbit's ears are small and rounded.
Its body reaches a length of 26.8 to 40 centimeters. The tail is so short that it is imperceptible to the eye. Generally, the adult weighs 400 grams; but even so, some individuals exceed 500 grams.
As for its coat, it is short and abundant. The color of the coat is sandy yellow, mixed with black and gray on the back and on the sides. Between the tip and the base it is black, and in the middle zone, the coloration is yellowish.
Another distinctive feature of the species is a kind of triangular mark on the nape, with golden-yellowish hair. This mark possibly corresponds to visual communication mechanisms between individuals.
The female has three pairs of mammary glands: one pair on the chest, one on the abdomen, and one pair on the groin. Its teeth are made up of 28 pieces, distributed in 2/1 incisors, 3/2 premolars, and 3/3 molars.
Danger of extinction
Teporingo populations are seriously affected by the destruction and modification of their habitat as a result of livestock activities (grazing), agricultural activities (crops), forest fires, poisoning by pesticides and fertilizers.
Additionally, the establishment and growth of new human settlements entails the fragmentation of their natural environment; as well as road construction, logging, and poorly planned tourism practices.
Hunting is another threat, despite the fact that R. diazi is listed in Appendix 1 of CITES and it is illegal to hunt it under Mexican law. In fact, it was declared an Endangered Species since 1966.
Within the protection measures of the species, captive breeding programs have been proposed, especially habitat management, related to the burning and overgrazing of zacatón (zacates). Likewise, a ban on hunting and trade of R. diazi has been implemented.
Currently, the Zoquiapan and Izta-Popo National Park and the Ajusco are protected areas that cover most of the distribution of the species.
Habitat and distribution
The volcano rabbit lives between 2,800 to 4,250 meters above sea level, in pine forests densely covered with grass. The substrate consists of basaltic rock, dark soils characterized by being volcanic igneous rocks. Summer in this area is hot and rainy, while winter is cold and dry.
The local climate is temperate, sub-humid and has an annual average temperature of 11 ° C. Annual precipitation averages at around 1,000 millimeters.
The burrow is a shallow hole approximately 11 cm deep (maximum 5 meters) and 15 cm in diameter. In general, the accesses are covered by grasslands or grasslands.
The female builds the shelter from fragments of dry pine (Pinus sp.), Alder (Alnus arguta), grasses (Penstemon sp., Eryngium sp. And Gnaphalium sp.) And a large mass of hair. The species can also use abandoned burrows of animals such as gophers, squirrels, armadillos, and tlalcoyotes.
Source: By IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, species assessors and the authors of the spatial data., CC BY-SA 3.0, The zacatuche is an endemic species of Mexico; that is, its distribution is limited and it is not found naturally in any other part of the world. Its location is concentrated in the central portion of the Transversal Neovolcanic axis made up of: Pelado, Tláloc, Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl.
Reproduction
Teporingos reach sexual maturity at five to six months of age. When the male reaches sexual maturity, the testes descend into the scrotum, where they remain throughout the year. Therefore, the species can reproduce throughout the year. However, there is a notable peak of reproduction during the hot and rainy summer.
The gestation period is 38 to 40 days and the average litter size is 2.1 young. Newborns have scant fur and their eyes open between 4 and 8 days later. They are weaned between 21 and 28 days.
Also, newborn hatchlings display an externally visible fur-covered tail; this is the opposite of adults, in whom the tail is enclosed under the skin. Also, they are born with well developed claws. They can reach a length of 8.3 to 10.6 centimeters and weigh about 25 to 32 grams.
The young are born inside the burrows that the females make from dry plant matter and the mother's own fur, which is removed before delivery. After birth, they remain 14 days in it; and after a period of three weeks of age, they begin to become independent from their refuge.
Feeding
This animal feeds on the leaves and young shoots of herbaceous plants of Festuca amplisima, F. rosei, Muhlenbergia macroura, and Stipa ichu. Although they mainly like to eat grass, a type of grass that serves as grass and fodder.
At the same time they feed on oats, seeds of Sicyos angulatus (roasted cucumber), a type of creeper plant of the pumpkin family; and they also consume green bark of the Andean alder (Alnus acumiata), an arboreal species native to South America. Only in some cases, cannibalism can be observed.
The members of this species play an important role within the ecosystem, since they regulate the population density of the vegetation and, at the same time, disperse the seeds in remote areas through faeces.
Together, the excretions of the teporingos disperse spores of mycorrhizal fungi (which form mycorrhizae) and yeasts, which promote the growth of microorganisms that assimilate nutrients and favor plant growth.
Behavior
Teporingos live in groups of two to five individuals. During the day they play, fight and forage. They are especially active in the early morning and afternoon, between 10 am to 2 pm. Generally at noon they are observed resting.
The copulation takes place during the day. Labor is usually observed at night. Parental care in this species is scarce. After giving birth, the female approaches the den only at a call for help. After three weeks to two months, the calf becomes independent.
Source: By ProtoplasmaKid - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Usually it is a territorial species. The male defends his burrow from other males, although aggression is not usually observed, only persecution. Not so in the case of females. Aggression between females and female-males is frequent, at which point they attack and bite other individuals.
The displacement diameter is limited around its territory and shelters, moving a maximum of 2.5 km².
They usually remain immobile with their ears raised in the face of any threat. When alarmed, these rabbits emit high-pitched vocalizations. Faced with danger, they move a few meters, stopping several times before reaching their refuge.
The teporingo remains active all year round, even on cold and cloudy days. Its diurnal behavior makes it an easy prey for reptiles, snakes, birds, and domestic animals such as cats and dogs.
Like other logomorphs, the zacatuche ingests its own excrement to digest them again and assimilate as many nutrients as possible. This behavior is known as coprophagia.
References
- Teporingo, zacatuche, volcano rabbit, tepolito, volcano rabbit. National Commission of Protected Natural Areas. Terrestrial mammals.
- Romerolagus diazi. Taken from Wikipedia.
- Volcano rabbit. Taken from Wikipedia.
- Romerolagus diazi, Volcano Rabbit. Taken from iucnredlist.org
- Volcano Rabbit. Taken from biodiversity.gob.mx
- Cervantes, F., L. Consuelo & R. Hoffman. Mammalian Species. Romerolagus diazi. American Society of Mammologists. 1990 Oct. 360: 1-7.