Late Quaternary Biogeography of the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) in Eastern Washington

• Published in: Journal of mammalogy Vol. 72; no. 1; pp. 110 - 117
• Main Author: Lyman, R. Lee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Provo, UT American Society of Mammalogists 01-02-1991; Brigham Young University, Department of Zoology
• Subjects: Brachylagus idahoensis; Coulees; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Fauna; Forest habitats; Mammals; Marine and continental quaternary; Mesas; Paleontology; Rabbits; Specimens; Surficial geology; Taxa; Vegetation; Vertebrate paleontology; Wildlife habitats; United States; North America; Washington; USA, Washington; upper Pleistocene; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Quaternary; biogeography; Great Basin; Rodentia; Lagomorpha; upper Quaternary; Holocene
• ISSN: 0022-2372; 1545-1542; 1545-1542; 0022-2372
• DOI: 10.2307/1381985

The historic distribution of pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) is discontinuous between the Great Basin and eastern Washington. Available data indicate disjunction may have occurred during the latest Pleistocene and earliest Holocene. Extralimital records indicate that the range of the pygmy rabbit decreased in eastern Washington during the last 3,000 years as the extent of sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)-dominated steppe diminished. Relative abundances of pygmy rabbits and pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides) in eastern Washington also appear to reflect responses to changes in the distribution and abundance of sagebrush.