A determination of the species and subspecies of the rabbits of the genus Sylvilagus and their distribution in Virginia

Employing the use of skins collected during the study and those examined from various collections, the author has attempted to delimit the ranges of the species and subspecies of the cottontails known to inhabit the state of Virginia. The ranges have been outlined as follows: Sylvilagus floridanus mallurus, ranging from the coast in the east, westward practically through the mountains; S. f. mearnsii is limited to the western corner of the state; S. f. hitchensi, known only from Smith's Island and Fisherman's Island off the Atlantic coast to Northampton County; S. transitionalis, limited to the higher elevations of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains; and S. palustris palustris, known to occupy the lowlands, marshes, and swamps of Nansemond, Norfolk, and Princess Anne Counties. In addition, life history notes and observations have been added. In Virginia, the height of the breeding season was found to be in March and April with breeding continuing practically throughout the year, except perhaps December and January. An average of 4.7 young per litter was found by embryonic count in a small series of females taken in Virginia. In the males it was found that there was a steady increase in the weight of the testes during the period checked (January, February, March). The sex ratio of 234 specimens available for this summary was found to be 53 to 47 or 111 males per 100 females. No significant difference was found between the yearly average weights of S. f. mallurus and S. f. mearnsii but the difference between these two races and S. transitionalis was significant. Practically all specimens collected were infested with fleas and all, except the winter specimens, had ticks. Mites also were found in varying numbers, as was nematodes and coccidia. In summarizing the incidence of tularemia, it was found that it was not a major a disease but frequent enough to cause considerable apprehension among a good many sportsmen and those handling or dressing wild rabbits.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wildlife Conservation

Department dc:contributor.department

Wildlife Conservation

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute

Year dc:date.issued

1943

Author dc:creator

• Llewellyn, Leonard M.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/112595

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/112595