AUTHOR=Kraatz Brian , Belabbas Rafik , Fostowicz-Frelik Łucja , Ge De-Yan , Kuznetsov Alexander N. , Lang Madlen M. , López-Torres Sergi , Mohammadi Zeinolabedin , Racicot Rachel A. , Ravosa Matthew J. , Sharp Alana C. , Sherratt Emma , Silcox Mary T. , Słowiak Justyna , Winkler Alisa J. , Ruf Irina TITLE=Lagomorpha as a Model Morphological System JOURNAL=Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution VOLUME=9 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ecology-and-evolution/articles/10.3389/fevo.2021.636402 DOI=10.3389/fevo.2021.636402 ISSN=2296-701X ABSTRACT=

Due to their global distribution, invasive history, and unique characteristics, European rabbits are recognizable almost anywhere on our planet. Although they are members of a much larger group of living and extinct mammals [Mammalia, Lagomorpha (rabbits, hares, and pikas)], the group is often characterized by several well-known genera (e.g., Oryctolagus, Sylvilagus, Lepus, and Ochotona). This representation does not capture the extraordinary diversity of behavior and form found throughout the order. Model organisms are commonly used as exemplars for biological research, but there are a limited number of model clades or lineages that have been used to study evolutionary morphology in a more explicitly comparative way. We present this review paper to show that lagomorphs are a strong system in which to study macro- and micro-scale patterns of morphological change within a clade that offers underappreciated levels of diversity. To this end, we offer a summary of the status of relevant aspects of lagomorph biology.