A Prolegomenon to the Systematics of South American Cottontail Rabbits (Mammalia, Lagomorpha, Leporidae: Sylvilagus): Designation of a Neotype for S. brasiliensis (Linnaeus, 1758), and Restoration of S. andinus (Thomas, 1897) and S. tapetillus Thomas, 1913.

Abstract

A critical issue with species names derived from Linnaeus’ 10th edition of the Systema Naturae is the lack of holotypes, which in many instances has led to taxonomic confusion and uncertainty, as well as an unstable taxonomy. In the particular case of the South American cottontail, currently known as Sylvilagus brasiliensis, Linnaeus listed the type locality as “America Meridionali,” or South America. As a result, S. brasiliensis was ascribed a widespread distribution in North and South America, over an area estimated as approximately 1.09 × 107 Km2, and containing upwards of 37 named subspecies.