The Plio-Pleistocene record of Hypolagus (Lagomorpha, Leporidae) from the Czech and Slovak Republics with comments on systematics and classification of the genus

A proven record of Hypolagus (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) from twenty-two Plio-Pleistocene (Ruscinian-Biharian) localities of the Czech and Slovak Republics is presented; from eight localities the genus is reported or described for the first time. A detailed description and morphological analysis of the currently available dental and cranial material proved the presence of two species in the studied area and enabled to assessment of their intra-and interspecific variability, as well as the phylogenetic level of some paleopopulations. The complete history of research on the Central European Hypolagus is summarized, accompanied by nomenclatural revision and synonymy. A revision and designation of the type material is provided. The results are expressed in a description of Hypolagus petenyii Cermak & Fladerer sp. nov. from the Pliocene (Early Villanyian) locality of Beremend (Hungary). In the studied area: (1) the gracile and less advanced H. petenyii Cermak & Fladerer sp. nov., characterized by a simple P2 and p3, is recorded from the Pliocene (Late Ruscinian-Early Villanyian) localities of Menany 3, Ivanovce 1, Hajnacka I and Hostovce 2; (2) H. brachygnathus (Kormos, 1930), the larger and more robust species with a greater variability of more advanced P2 and p3, persisted throughout the Early Pleistocene (Biharian), with its last appearance in the Late Biharian locality Chlum 4. A taxonomical review and/or revision of Central European finds is provided and discussed in the context of phylogeny and systematics of Eurasian Archaeolaginae leporids.