View source for Biology:Mara (mammal)

{{Short description|Genus of rodents}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Dolichotinae
| fossil_range = [[Earth:Montehermosan|Montehermosan]]-Recent<br />~{{fossil range|6.8|0}}
| image = Dolichotis patagonum closeup.jpg
| image_caption = [[Biology:Patagonian mara|Patagonian mara]] ''(Dolichotis patagonum)''
| taxon = Dolichotinae
| range_map = MARA.PNG
| range_map_caption = Approximate range of the extant maras
| subdivision = See text
}}

'''Maras''', subfamily '''Dolichotinae''', are a group of rodents in the family [[Biology:Caviidae|Caviidae]].<ref name = MSW3>{{MSW3 Hystricognathi | id = 13400210 | page = 1555}}</ref> These large relatives of [[Biology:Guinea pig|guinea pig]]s are common in the [[Place:Patagonia|Patagonia]]n steppes of {{wipe|Argentina}}, but also live in Paraguay and elsewhere in [[Earth:South America|South America]]. There are two extant species, the [[Biology:Patagonian mara|Patagonian mara]] of the genus ''[[Biology:Dolichotis|Dolichotis]]'' and the [[Biology:Chacoan mara|Chacoan mara]] of the genus ''[[Biology:Pediolagus|Pediolagus]]''. Traditionally this species was also thought to belong to ''Dolichotis''; however, a 2020 study by the [[Organization:American Society of Mammalogists|American Society of Mammalogists]] found significant difference between the two mara species to warrant resurrecting the genus ''Pediolagus'' for it.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Campo |first1=D.H. |title=Integrative taxonomy of extant maras supports the recognition of the genera Pediolagus and Dolichotis within the Dolichotinae (Rodentia, Caviidae) |journal=Journal of Mammalogy |date=2020 |volume=101 |issue=3 |pages=817–834 |doi=10.1093/jmammal/gyaa038 |url=https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article/101/3/817/5836015|doi-access=free }}</ref> Several extinct genera are also known.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dolichotinae |url=http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=209050 |website=Fossilworks}}</ref>

== Description ==
[[File:Mara-ikebukuro-2010.ogv|thumb|left|A mara feeding at Sunshine City, Tokyo]]
Maras have stocky bodies, three sharp-clawed digits on the hind feet, and four digits of the fore feet. Maras have been described as resembling long-legged [[Biology:Rabbit|rabbit]]s; while standing, they can also resemble a small [[Biology:Ungulate|ungulate]]. Patagonian maras can run at speeds up to {{convert|29|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. The Patagonian species can weigh over {{convert|11|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in adulthood. The average weight of adult male Patagonian maras is {{convert|8.3|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and in adult females is {{convert|7.75|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name= Campos>Campos, C. M., Tognelli, M. F., & Ojeda, R. A. (2001). ''Dolichotis patagonum''. Mammalian species, 2001(652), 1–5.</ref> Meanwhile, the [[Biology:Chacoan mara|Chacoan mara]], though still large for a rodent, is much smaller, weighing around {{convert|1|to|3|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>Campo, D. H., Caraballo, D. A., Cassini, G. H., Lucero, S. O., & Teta, P. (2020). ''Integrative taxonomy of extant maras supports the recognition of the genera Pediolagus and Dolichotis within the Dolichotinae (Rodentia, Caviidae)''. Journal of Mammalogy, 101(3), 817–834.</ref>

Most maras have brown heads and bodies, dark (almost black) rumps with a white fringe around the base, and white bellies.

Maras may amble, hop in a rabbit-like fashion, gallop, or bounce on all fours. They have been known to leap up to {{Convert|6|ft|m|abbr=on}}.

Maras mate for life, and may have from one to three offspring each year. Mara young are very well-developed, and can start grazing within 24 hours. They use a [[Biology:Crèche (zoology)|crèche]] system, where one pair of adults keeps watch all the young in the crèche. If they spot danger, the young rush below ground into a burrow, and the adults are left to run to escape.<ref name= Campos/>

== Genera ==
*''[[Biology:Dolichotis|Dolichotis]]''
*''[[Biology:Pediolagus|Pediolagus]]''
*†''Eodolichotis''
*†''Pliodolichotis''
*†''Propediolagus''
*†''Rhodanodolichotis''

== Interaction with humans ==
Patagonian maras are often kept in [[Biology:Zoo|zoo]]s or as pets, and are also known as "Patagonian cavies" or "Patagonian hares". They can be quite social with humans if raised with human interaction from a young age, though they avoid people in the wild. Maras may even change their habits from coming out in day to becoming nocturnal, simply to avoid social interaction. In 2021 they had young in Leningrad Zoo of Saint Petersburg, Russia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=В Ленинградском зоопарке родились патагонские мары|url=https://spbdnevnik.ru/news/2021-10-21/v-leningradskom-zooparke-rodilis-patagonskie-mary|access-date=2021-10-21|website=spbdnevnik.ru|language=ru}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Patagonian Cavy.jpg|Patagonian mara at the Wildlife Ranch in San Antonio, Texas
File:Patagonian Cavies, Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne.jpg|A pair of Patagonian maras at the Melbourne Zoo
File:Dolichotis patagonum closeup.jpg|Close-up of a Patagonian mara
File:A mara at tropical wings.JPG|Mara at Tropical Wings
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120905133613/http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/SmallMammals/fact-mara.cfm Patagonian Mara - National Zoo| FONZ] (via archive.org)

{{Taxonbar|from=Q838738}}

[[Category:Cavies]]
[[Category:Extant Miocene first appearances]]

{{Sourceattribution|Mara (mammal)}}