2015/10/01 by Alisa J. Winkler, Dale A. Winkler, Terry Harrison · 2 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Evolution and Paleontology Studies #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation #Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
paper · doi:10.1080/08912963.2015.1023302
openalex publication_date 2015/10/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
The forelimb elements of the leporid Serengetilagus praecapensis, from the famous Laetoli sites in Tanzania, occur in three stratigraphic levels. Most come from the Upper Laetolil Beds, the middle unit. Size frequency distributions of limb dimensions demonstrate one highly variable population with no clear trends through time. Statistical analyses cannot be used to support the presence of more than one species. Sexual dimorphism also is not apparent in the samples, but may have contributed to the variability in sizes. Anatomical traits of the forelimb ally Serengetilagus praecapensis with smaller, less cursorial leporids like the modern European rabbit Oryctolagus. Serengetilagus praecapensis has a predicted body mass in the range of 1.2–1.6 kg. Like some smaller modern rabbits, its forelimb suggests the capability for burrowing.