Abstract
European hares (Lepus capensis) and cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) represent near extremes in the locomotory pattern encountered among leporids. Animals of both species were collected and four major hindlimb locomotor muscles were examined histochemically for succinic dehydrogenase and myosin adenosine triphosphatase activities. Muscle fibres were classified as fast-twitch glycolytic, fast-twitch oxidative glycolytic, or slow-twitch oxidative, and the percent composition and transverse area of the fibre types were obtained. Hare muscles had a much greater oxidative capacity than cottontail muscles as shown by 32–55% more fast-twitch oxidative glycolytic fibres than cottontail muscles. This correlates with the capacity of hares for high-speed endurance running and their inhabiting open, expansive environments. Cottontail muscles had a large proportion (45–54%) of fast-twitch glycolytic fibres of large transverse area resulting in the muscles being composed primarily of fast-twitch glycolytic fibres. This reflects the capacity of rabbits for quick bursts of activity and this type of locomotor pattern may restrict cottontails to densely covered deciduous habitats.
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