Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background The ‘Zacatuche’, ‘Teporingo’, or Volcano rabbit ( Romerolagus diazi ) belongs to the family Leporidae, is an endemic species restricted to the Central part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, and is considered ‘endangered’ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Methods and Results This study reports, for the first time, the complete mitochondrial genome of R. diazi and examined the phylogenetic position of R. diazi among other closely related co-familiar species using mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs). The mitogenome of R. diazi was assembled from short Illumina 150 bp pair-end reads with a coverage of 189x. The AT-rich mitochondrial genome of R. diazi is 17,400 bp in length and is comprised of 13 PCGs, two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. The gene order observed in the mitochondrial genome of R. diazi is identical to that reported for other leporids. Phylogenetic analyses based on PCGs support the basal position of Romerolagus within the Leporidae, at least when compared to the genera Oryctolagus and Lepus . Nonetheless, additional mitochondrial genomes from species belonging to the genera Bunolagus , Sylvilagus , and Pronolagus , among others, are needed before a more robust conclusion about the derived vs basal placement of Romerolagus within the family Leporidae can be reached based on mitochondrial PCGs. Conclusions This is the first genomic resource developed for R. diazi and it represents a tool to improve our understanding about the ecology and evolutionary biology of this iconic and endangered species.

Herbivores show a larger microbial diversity in their guts than omnivores or carnivores. Bacterial symbionts expand the host digestion capacity by fermenting cellulose and hemicellulose. Comparisons between populations in different distribution areas can reveal how environmental conditions affect microbiota, helping to design conservation strategies. The Volcano rabbit ( Romerola gus diazi ) is the smallest lagomorph in Mexico. It is classified as endangered by Mexican legislation and as critically endangered by the IUCN, in the Red List. Here we extend our previous microbiome study to another region in Mexico from a high site near an active volcano, the Popocatépetl. In both areas, the most abundant bacterial genera included Acinetobacter , Enterobacter , Streptomyces , Bacteroides , Pseudomonas , Janthinobacterium , Flavobacterium , and Duganella . Among Archaea, Methanosarcina , Halobaculum , Thermococcus , Halorubrum , and Methanobrevibacter were prevalent. Fungal genera such as Fusarium , Ascochyta , Pyricularia , Aspergillus , and Colletotrichum were also identified. Potential functions were identified including carbohydrate, amino acid and nucleotide metabolism. The most abundant enzymes were transferases, hydrolases and oxidoreductases. The PERMANOVA test between areas for Bacteria (p = 0.26), Archaea (p = 0.21) and Fungi (p = 0.48) indicated no significant differences in the taxonomic composition or coding sequences (p = 0.5), although there were differences in relative abundances. Additionally, for archaea, genera that had not been reported previously in Volcano rabbit fecal microbiomes such as Halomicroarcula , Halomicrobium , Haloplanus , and Sulfolobus were identified, with Sulfolobus found exclusive in Izta-Popo. The Volcano rabbit fecal microbiome showed unique bacterial and archaeal profiles. Overall, these microbial communities are likely to contribute to the digestion of plant fibers, phenolic compounds, and other dietary components, underscoring their importance for the health and conservation of these endangered species.

Lagomorpha (lagomorphs), the order of mammals including pikas, hares, and rabbits, is distributed on all continents. The order currently is hypothesized to comprise 12 genera and 108 species, split into two families: Ochotonidae (pikas) and Leporidae (rabbits and hares). Molecular and morphological attempts have been undertaken to resolve the phylogeny of lagomorphs, although chronological relationships are still to be established. The aim of this research was to unravel lagomorph phylogeny using ultraconserved elements. We focused on Romerolagus , in light of its largely unknown phylogenetic relationships and sparse fossil record, to assess times of divergence for the genus. We obtained samples from at least one species in each of 11 genera (except Caprolagus ) comprising the order and captured and sequenced ultraconserved elements (UCEs). A Maximum-Likelihood phylogenetic analysis was carried out on the 4,195 loci captured, resulting in 59,112 informative sites. We further used BEAST2 v2.6.3 on the CIPRES computing cluster to estimate the timing of cladogenesis in lagomorph evolution. Our results confirm that lagomorphs and rodents split about 65 million years ago. The former further split into its constituent families, Leporidae and Ochotonidae, about 60 million years ago. Pronolagus rupestris and Nesolagus timminsi were retrieved as basal sister taxa; the most recent common ancestor of that clade and remaining leporids was estimated to have existed about 47 million years ago. Romerolagus diazi is sister to remaining Leporidae excluding Pronolagus and Nesolagus , a topology that generally matches previously published phylogenies, although our results suggest a most recent common ancestor of Romerolagus and remaining ingroup leporids at ca. 4.8 Ma (95% highest posterior density [HPD] interval: 5.9 – 3.8 Ma), with an internal diversification in the Middle to Late Pleistocene (0.9 Ma; 95% HPD 1.8 – 0.2 Ma). Our final results yielded a robust phylogeny with high support values for every clade of the order Lagomorpha and unraveled previously unresolved phylogenetic relationships. In addition, we further conclude that the method we used, UCEs, may serve to complete the entire phylogeny of mammals by using existing museum specimens.

Background Gammaherpesviruses co-evolve with their hosts, resulting in species-specific associations and restricted host tropism. In lagomorphs, six herpesviruses (LeHV-1 to LeHV-6) have been identified, with LeHV-4 being associated with mortality in European rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ), while the others cause asymptomatic infections. LeHV-5 has been hypothesized to contribute to high morbidity and mortality in Iberian hares ( Lepus granatensis ) when in presence of concomitant infections such as myxomatosis. However, herpesvirus infections in wild and domestic lagomorphs remain poorly understood. Methods Here, we conducted the first large-scale screening for herpesviruses in lagomorphs. Using a generalist PCR, we analyzed over 1,000 DNA samples from European rabbits, hares ( Lepus spp.), cottontails ( Sylvilagus spp.), pikas ( Ochotona spp.), pygmy rabbits ( Brachylagus idahoensis ), volcano rabbits ( Romerolagus diazi ), Amami rabbits ( Pentalagus furnessi ), and riverine rabbits ( Bunolagus monticularis ). Results Herpesviruses were detected in 75 samples (7.24%), revealing a putative novel virus in pikas, with ~ 80% similarity to known gammaherpesviruses. We further show circulation of LeHV-5 in European and mountain hares for the first time. Conclusions These findings expand the current knowledge of herpesvirus diversity in lagomorphs. Given their potential role in immunosuppression and disease interactions, particularly with myxoma virus, further research is needed to assess their impact on host health and population dynamics.

Processes such as climate fluctuations together with recent volcanism have driven the diversification and local persistence of biodiversity within the Mexican highlands. We reconstruct the phylogeographic pattern and historical demography of the volcano rabbit,  Romerolagus diazi , an endemic lagomorph in central Mexico, to elucidate the effect of the climate-volcanism interaction on its evolutionary history. We sequenced two mtDNA regions for 152 individuals from 45 sample sites located at the volcanic fields Sierra Chichinautzin and Sierra Nevada. We surveyed the genetic diversity, and reconstructed and dated an intraspecific phylogeny. The effective population size trough time was estimated, and an Ecological Niche Model was projected onto the past. Results showed a well-supported phylogeny with five monophyletic lineages with a north to south geographic pattern at Sierra Nevada, and east to west at Sierra Chichinautzin. Dating estimates indicated that those lineages might have started their diversification ca. 1.4 Ma, which agrees with the geological dating reported for the volcanic fields rising. We detected changes in demographic history and potential distribution, with a global population expansion during the Last Glacial Maximum and a retraction during the Last Interglacial period. The molecular evidence showed that the volcano rabbit had a dynamic evolutionary history molded by geological and climatic events during the Pleistocene. The volcanic events that shaped Sierra Chichinautzin and Sierra Nevada generated regions that allowed the colonization, isolation and posterior in-situ diversification of their populations. Additionally, the climatic fluctuations of the latest glacial-interglacial cycles promoted altitudinal populations shifts, with a sky-island dynamic that allowed their persistence.

The volcano rabbit ( Romerolagus diazi ) is a lagomorph endemic to the central mountains of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and is classified as threatened at extinction risk. It is a habitat specialist in bunchgrass communities. The annual wildfires that occur throughout its distribution range are a vulnerability factor for the species. However, the effects of wildfires on volcano rabbit populations are not fully understood. We evaluated the occupancy and change in the volcano rabbit relative abundance index in the burned bunchgrass communities of the Ajusco-Chichinautzin Mountain Range during an annual cycle of wildfire events. Additionally, we assessed the factors that favor and limit occupation and reoccupation by the volcano rabbit using the relative abundance index in burned plots as an indicator of these processes. The explanatory factors for the response of the volcano rabbit were its presence in the nearby unburned bunchgrasses, the height of three species of bunchgrass communities, the proportion of different types of vegetation cover within a 500 m radius around the burned plots, heterogeneity of the vegetation cover, and the extent of the wildfire. Statistical analyses indicated possible reoccupation in less than a year in burned bunchgrass communities adjacent to unburned bunchgrass communities with volcano rabbits. The relative abundance index of volcano rabbits was not favored when the maximum height of the Muhlenbergia macroura bunchgrass community was less than 0.77 m. When the vegetation around the burned plots was dominated by forest (cover >30% of the buffer) and the fire was extensive, the number of latrines decreased per month but increased when the bunchgrass and shrub cover was greater around the burned plots. While the statistical results are not conclusive, our findings indicate a direction for future projects, considering extensive monitoring to obtain a greater number of samples that contribute to consolidating the models presented.

Habitat specialists are particularly vulnerable to extinction when habitat conditions are altered. Information on the habitat use of such species is thus important because it provides insight into factors that influence distribution and abundance, which is crucial for conservation. Here, we aimed to identify factors that influence the patterns of presence and abundance of the Endangered volcano rabbit Romerolagus diazi, a rare leporid with a patchy distribution. Through exhaustive sampling of its range in the Sierra Chichinautzin and Sierra Nevada volcanic fields, Mexico, and using generalized linear models, we found that the probability of patch occupancy was higher where bunchgrass cover exceeded 75%, rock cover exceeded 5%, no cattle grazing was observed and human settlements were at least 7 km away. Patches with greater relative abundance were those with similar characteristics, but located at elevations > 3,600 m, and with rock cover < 15%. Cattle grazing was identified as a major threat to local populations of the volcano rabbit, particularly in the Sierra Chichinautzin. Because of the significance of bunchgrasses for this species, the protection of the mountain grasslands is required in both volcanic fields.

Endemic to the central mountains of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, the volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi), known locally as the zacatuche, is a threatened species at risk of extinction. In the Ajusco-Chichinautzin Mountain Range, the Pelado and Tlaloc volcanoes are core distribution areas for this species; however, suitable habitat within these areas is patchy. We analyzed the habitat of this species at the landscape level, taking into account biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic factors. We used geographic information systems for the habitat analysis and a linear mixedeffects model to identify the habitat patches available, analyze them in the FRAGSTATS program, and calculate their landscape metrics. To identify the habitat of the volcano rabbit, we used its relative abundance index in the context of land use and vegetation, elevation, slope, road and highway density, and distance to human settlements. The analyses indicated that the relative abundance index of this species decreases with increasing proximity to human settlements and with increasing road and highway density. At the landscape level, there are 957 patches of habitat available to the species, covering 75.44 km2. Most of the patches are 2,500 m2 in area and regular in shape (square); however, because they are small patches it is possible that they will disappear. The largest patches are located on the Pelado and Tlaloc volcanoes, and coincide with the core distribution areas of the volcano rabbit described in the literature.

The volcano rabbit is the smallest lagomorph in Mexico, it is monotypic and endemic to the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. It is classified as endangered by Mexican legislation and as critically endangered by the IUCN, in the Red List. consumes large amounts of grasses, seedlings, shrubs, and trees. Pines and oaks contain tannins that can be toxic to the organisms which consume them. The volcano rabbit microbiota may be rich in bacteria capable of degrading fiber and phenolic compounds. We obtained the fecal microbiome of three adults and one young rabbit collected in Coajomulco, Morelos, Mexico. Taxonomic assignments and gene annotation revealed the possible roles of different bacteria in the rabbit gut. We searched for sequences encoding tannase enzymes and enzymes associated with digestion of plant fibers such as cellulose and hemicellulose. The most representative phyla within the Bacteria domain were: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria for the young rabbit sample (S1) and adult rabbit sample (S2), which was the only sample not confirmed by sequencing to correspond to the volcano rabbit. Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Cyanobacteria were found in adult rabbit samples S3 and S4. The most abundant phylum within the Archaea domain was Euryarchaeota. The most abundant genera of the Bacteria domain were (Firmicutes) and (Proteobacteria), while predominated from the Archaea. In addition, the potential functions of metagenomic sequences were identified, which include carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. We obtained genes encoding enzymes for plant fiber degradation such as endo 1,4 -xylanases, arabinofuranosidases, endoglucanases and -glucosidases. We also found 18 bacterial tannase sequences.

Sexual dimorphism is a well-documented phenomenon observed at all levels of the animal kingdom, with the inclusion of both sexes in clinical trials and basic research becoming mandatory. Regarding parasitosis, in several animal species, the signs and virulence of the disease may change depending on the sex of the affected animal. In the cestodiasis caused by Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps, females are more susceptible to experimental infection than males. Cysticercosis by Taenia pisiformis in rabbits has acquired relevance due to its economic impact, namely affecting welfare and production. In America, specifically in Mexico, there are no formal reports on the infection with T. pisiformis metacestodes in populations of wild rabbits, despite being the country with more endemic species (about 15 species), among them, the volcanoes rabbits or the endangered teporingo (Romerolagus diazi). In this study, 31 wild rabbits were obtained by hunters of some regions of Morelos state during several hunting seasons, and sex, physiological stage, and number of metacestodes were recorded. A high frequency of infection by T. pisiformis metacestodes (67.7%) was found. Also, a higher susceptibility to this infection was observed in does (80% infected) compared to bucks (40%), finding 84.2% of metacestodes (235 metacestodes) in does and 15.8% of metacestodes (44 metacestodes) in bucks. The percentage of infection was higher in lactating compared with pregnant and non-pregnant does, with metacestodes lodging mainly in the uterus. Increasing our knowledge regarding parasitic infections can help us better understand transmission circles as well as the parasite-host interaction of these increasingly at risk rabbit species.