关键词: 模鼠兔, 道森兔, 兔形目, 起源, 演化

Abstract: Lagomorpha is a significant component of the mammal and comprises two living families: Leporidae (rabbits and hares) and Ochotonidae. Since 1970s, our understanding of the origin, taxonomy, and phylogenetic relationships of Lagomorpha has greatly improved, largely due to the discovery of new fossils in China. Recent phylogenetic analyses indicate that Asia is likely the center of origin for Lagomorpha. Fossil evidence of stem lagomorph taxa has been found in Paleocene to lowest Eocene deposits in this region. One important finding is the presence of Mimotona in the early-middle Paleocene of the Qianshan Basin, Anhui, China, which is considered a primitive “morphotype” that may represent the ancestor of lagomorphs. The oldest known Lagomorpha, Dowsonolagus, has been discovered in the late early Eocene of the Erlian Basin, China. This finding further supports the hypothesis of an Asian origin for Lagomorpha. The view that rodents and lagomorphs share an exclusive common ancestry is widely accepted among morphological researchers, and recent molecular studies have provided additional support for this idea. Now, the close relationship between these two groups is well-established. Recently, in Nei Mongol, China, extensive and well-preserved lagomorph fossils have been collected from Eocene and Oligocene strata through comprehensive investigations. These newly discovered fossils offer exciting opportunities to unravel long-standing mysteries surrounding the evolution and history of lagomorphs.