This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (December 2014) |
Prolagus imperialis was an extinct species in the genus Prolagus. It was one of the species in this genus that were recently discovered. Prolagus imperialis may have resembled a pika.
Prolagus imperialis Temporal range: Early Pliocene
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Lagomorpha |
Family: | Ochotonidae |
Genus: | †Prolagus |
Species: | †P. imperialis
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Binomial name | |
†Prolagus imperialis Mazza, 1987
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Nomenclature edit
Prolagus imperialis was named after Poggio Imperiale, the place where its fossils were discovered.[1] Its name might mean "first rabbit of Poggio Imperiale".
Size edit
Prolagus imperialis is larger than the species which was discovered along with it, Prolagus apricenicus. Also, Prolagus imperialis is the largest of all Prolagidae, weighing about 5 kilograms.
References edit
- ^ Evolution of Island Mammals: Adaptation and Extinction of Placental Mammals on Islands