@article{3d3e6d116ebc47fb88458807b50713e7,
title = "Lagomorpha as a Model Morphological System",
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.",
keywords = "Lagomorpha, Leporidae, Ochotonidae, evolution, model organism, morphofunction, morphology, phylogeny",
author = "Brian Kraatz and Rafik Belabbas and {\L}ucja Fostowicz-Frelik and Ge, {De Yan} and Kuznetsov, {Alexander N.} and Lang, {Madlen M.} and Sergi L{\'o}pez-Torres and Zeinolabedin Mohammadi and Racicot, {Rachel A.} and Ravosa, {Matthew J.} and Sharp, {Alana C.} and Emma Sherratt and Silcox, {Mary T.} and Justyna S{\l}owiak and Winkler, {Alisa J.} and Irina Ruf",
note = "Funding Information: We dedicate this paper to the late Mary R. Dawson (1931–2020) as a token of gratitude for her tremendous contribution to the morphological and evolutionary exploration on lagomorphs. We would like to thank the World Lagomorph Society and the organizers of the 6th World Lagomorph Conference, which was scheduled to occur in July of 2020 in Montpellier, France, but postponed due to the global pandemic of COVID-19. IR and BK had organized a session for that meeting titled Lagomorphs as a Model Morphological System. In lieu of that meeting and session, participants met virtually on July 06, 2020 to outline this review paper. We all look forward to gathering for a similar session in July of 2022 in Montpellier for the rescheduled World Lagomorph Conference. We thank reviewers for their thoughtful and helpful comments. Funding. ES was supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (ARC FT190100803). RR was funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, which is sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (Germany). Research discussed by MR herein was supported by the following United States National Science Foundation grants (BCS-1749453, BCS-1029149/1214767, and BCS-0924592/1214766). Funding Information: ES was supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (ARC FT190100803). RR was funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, which is sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (Germany). Research discussed by MR herein was supported by the following United States National Science Foundation grants (BCS-1749453, BCS-1029149/1214767, and BCS-0924592/1214766). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} Copyright {\textcopyright} 2021 Kraatz, Belabbas, Fostowicz-Frelik, Ge, Kuznetsov, Lang, L{\'o}pez-Torres, Mohammadi, Racicot, Ravosa, Sharp, Sherratt, Silcox, S{\l}owiak, Winkler and Ruf.",
year = "2021",
month = jul,
day = "1",
doi = "10.3389/fevo.2021.636402",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "9",
journal = "Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution",
issn = "2296-701X",
publisher = "Frontiers Media S. A.",
}