Annamite striped rabbit

Until 1996, the only known species belonging to the genus Nesolagus was the Sumatran striped rabbit (Nesolagus netscheri), a species restricted to the Sumatran mountain range of Bukit Barisan and known since the late 19th century. There are no described subspecies of the rabbit. The extinct species Nesolagus sinensis is presumed to be the direct ancestor of the Annamite striped rabbit. Its fossils have been found in Chongzuo, Guangxi, China, which borders Vietnam. == Description ==

The Annamite striped rabbit is a short-eared, short-tailed rabbit with black or dark brown stripes running along its body against the buff base color of its fur. A single dark stripe runs along the rabbit's body from its nose to the base of its tail. Stripes run up from under the eyes along the ears, forking near the eyes. It has a rust-colored rump and is white on its underside. No typical measurements are available for the species due to the absence of a complete specimen, besides one measurement of a skull that describes its greatest length as . It resembles the Sumatran striped rabbit morphologically, but has a cranium that is roughly 12% larger. Compared to the Sumatran striped rabbit, the Annamite striped rabbit additionally has a narrow, small foramen lacerum (a triangular hole in the base of the skull) and a small frontal supraorbital process (the part of the skull directly above the eyes) that has a shorter posterior projection and completely lacks an anterior projection. Further research on the Annamite striped rabbit has been suggested to determine if any variations occur across its distribution. == Distribution and habitat ==

The Annamite striped rabbit's distribution includes the northern, central, and southern Molecular analysis indicates that the two diverged from a common ancestor about eight million years ago, in the Pliocene epoch. N. timminsi apparently coexists with the Burmese hare (Lepus peguensis) in a sympatric relationship. Annamite striped rabbits live in wet evergreen forest habitats, and have been found at altitudes ranging from above sea level. These habitats are characterized by palm species in the genera Licuala and Lanonia that require a consistently wet climate, and the Dalat pine, which prefers shorter dry seasons. While the species could potentially live closer to sea level, there are few extant habitats at such low elevations. It is not found in drier evergreen forests, but in wet regions has been recorded in heavily logged rice fields and degraded forests. Most of its suitable habitat exists in Vietnam, and it is only seen in Laos along the country's eastern border. A population of Annamite striped rabbits was discovered in the southern Annamites in 2021, in Lâm Đồng province, Vietnam, separated from the northern and central Annamite populations by a stretch of dry forest. == Behavior and ecology ==

The Annamite striped rabbit is nocturnal and herbivorous. Records from camera traps indicate that it is a solitary animal, with one study reporting only one pair of rabbits found in 104 recorded events. Because many of the larger carnivores have been depleted throughout its distribution, the only likely predator of the rabbit is the leopard cat. It is unknown if any parasites or diseases affect the species. == Threats and conservation ==

The Annamite striped rabbit is primarily threatened by hunting, as it is often caught in snare traps set both by subsistence hunters and poachers. Hunting by dogs likely also has an impact on the species. Agricultural cultivation and extensive road building throughout Laos and Vietnam have caused habitat loss and degradation, but hunting remains the primary threat. In 2024, the species' recovery was evaluated as "largely depleted" in a Green Status assessment, where it was noted that while the species is still present in many parts of its habitat, the small population in the species' southern distribution will likely be locally extinct within 10 years. However, anti-hunting interventions had a positive effect on Annamite striped rabbit populations, and the species' health could be further improved through habitat conservation and captive breeding programs. Capturing the species to establish a captive breeding colony has been described as simple compared to other, larger endangered species in the region, as Annamite striped rabbits surprised by a headlamp in the dark will freeze in position. ==References==