Genic variation in populations of Mexican lagomorphs

Abstract

Genic variation among representatives of Mexican lagomorphs as revealed by allozymic variation at 31 presumptive loci of Lepus californicus, L. callotis, L. flavigularis, Romerolagus diazi, and Sylvilagus floridanus, was assessed using horizontal gel electrophoresis. Results indicated that the most genically variable species is the widespread L. callotis, whereas the least variable is the endangered L. flavigularis. Genetic distances and phenograms showed that jackrabbits are highly similar to each other and that Romerolagus is genically more similar to Sylvilagus than to Lepus.