Key to the South African Leporidae (Mammalia: Lagomorpha)

Abstract

An identification scheme for the South African Leporidae based on results from detailed morphometric analyses, comparative karyology, interspecific variation in cross-sections through the principal upper incisors, sperm morphology, elec-trophoretic analyses of blood proteins and qualitative pelage characteristics is presented. The key provides for the identification of three species of Pronolagus; P. rupestris, P. crassicaudatus and P. randensis and two species of Lepus; L. capensis and L. saxatilis. Bunolagus is retained as a monotypic genus.