Oryctolagus (/ˌɔːrɪkˈtɑːləɡəs/) is a genus of lagomorph that today contains the European rabbit and its descendant, the domestic rabbit, as well as several fossil species.

The generic name derives from Ancient Greek: ὀρυκτός (oryktos, “dug up”) and λαγώς (lagōs, “hare”).

Evolution

Oryctolagus first appeared at the end of the Miocene, around 6.5 MYA. Fossil remains from the middle Pliocene led to the recognition of two species, Oryctolagus lacosti in southern France and northwestern Italy and Oryctolagus laynensis in the Iberian Peninsula. This latter form is thought to be the origin of the extant species.

Species

Lower jaw of O. lacosti.
  • †Oryctolagus laynensis - Spain, Late Pliocene
  • †Oryctolagus lacosti - France, Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene
  • †Oryctolagus giberti - Spain, France, and Portugal, Early Pleistocene
  • †Oryctolagus valdarnensis - Italy, Early Pleistocene