DISCOVER CUTTING EDGE LAGOMORPH RESEARCH AT QUEEN'S
At Queen's University Belfast, our lagomorph research focuses on studying rabbits, hares, and pikas, exploring their biology, ecology, and conservation.
Our research encompasses behavioural patterns, population dynamics, and environmental interactions, aiming to understand these species' roles in ecosystems and their responses to changing habitats. This research informs conservation strategies, improves wildlife management practices, and contributes to broader ecological knowledge. Additionally, our collaboration with international institutions enhances the impact and scope of our findings, fostering a comprehensive understanding of lagomorphs in both local and global contexts.
CONSERVATION
At Queen's University Belfast, our lagomorph conservation research is dedicated to protecting rabbits, hares, and pikas. Our researchers investigate their responses to environmental changes and human activities to develop effective conservation strategies. By understanding their population dynamics and ecological roles, we aim to safeguard these species and their habitats.
- Bidirectional hybridisation and introgression between introduced European brown hare, Lepus europaeus and the endemic Irish hare, L. timidus hibernicus
- Highest densities of mountain hares (Lepus timidus) associated with ecologically restored bog but not grouse moorland management
- European hare (Lepus europaeus) invasion ecology: Implication for the conservation of the endemic Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus)
- The evolutionary pathways for local adaptation in mountain hares
- A response to Hesford & MacLeod (2022): rejection of a model estimating high densities of mountain hares in the Peak District, England.
- Splitting hares: Current and future ecological niches predicted as distinctly different for two congeneric lagomorphs
LAGOMORPHS AS A MODEL MORPHOLOGICAL SYSTEM
Lagomorphs are a valuable model for morphological studies in biological research because of their distinctive and varied anatomical features. These small mammals display a wide range of adaptations that offer insights into evolutionary processes, ecological interactions, and developmental biology. Their unique dentition, which grows continuously and is adapted to a herbivorous diet, serves as an excellent model for studying dental evolution and regeneration.
Moreover, the diverse body sizes and shapes among lagomorph species, along with their different locomotion strategies—from the powerful, bounding leaps of hares to the more subdued movements of pikas—facilitate comparative studies on musculoskeletal adaptations and energy expenditure.
LAGOMORPHS AS A MODEL MORPHOLOGICAL SYSTEM
Overall, the morphological diversity and adaptability of lagomorphs make them an exemplary system for exploring the intricate relationships between form, function, and environment in mammals.
- Expertly Validated Models and Phylogenetically-Controlled Analysis Suggests Responses to Climate Change Are Related to Species Traits in the Order Lagomorpha
- LaGomiCs - Lagomorph Genomics Consortium: An International Collaborative Effort for Sequencing the Genomes of an Entire Mammalian Order
- Range expansion and comparative habitat use of insular, congeneric lagomorphs: invasive European hares Lepus europaeus and endemic Irish hares Lepus timidus hibernicus
LAGOVIRUSES AFFECTING LAGOMORPHS
Researchers at Queen’s also conduct research into viruses affecting lagomorphs, such as rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD). This viral infection poses significant threats to rabbit and hare populations, leading to drastic declines and altering ecosystem dynamics.
By studying the transmission, pathology, and immune responses of lagomorphs to these viruses, we aim to develop strategies for disease management and control. Our findings contribute to broader efforts in wildlife disease research, helping to protect lagomorph species and maintain ecological balance.
