The Sardinian pika (Prolagus sardus) is an extinct species of pika that was endemic to the islands of Sardinia, Corsica and neighbouring Mediterranean islands until its extinction likely in Roman times. Unlike living pikas, which all belong to the genus Ochotona, the Sardinian pika was the last surviving member of the genus Prolagus, a genus of pika once widespread throughout western Eurasia and North Africa during the Miocene and Pliocene epochs. Anatomy The full skeletal structure of the Sardinian pika was reconstructed in 1967, thanks to the numerous finds of bones in Corbeddu Cave, which is near Oliena, Sardinia. Some years later, from these remains, the same researchers led by paleontologist Mary R. Dawson from the US were able to create a plaster reconstruction with good accuracy. The Sardinian pika was probably much stockier and more robust than extant species of pikas, and it probably resembled a sort of cross between a large wild rabbit and a pika. The first articulated skeletons of P. sardus were reported in 2016. Prolagus sardus weighed about 504-525 g. This is more than its ancestor Prolagus figaro, which is the only other member of Prolagus that was found in Sardinia and weighed about 398-436 g, and is larger than most mainland species of Prolagus. Compared to mainland species of Prolagus, P. sardus has increased hypsodonty (high crowned teeth) and enamel folding complexity, as well as shifts in the positions of occlusal surface elements on the lower third premolar. These likely represent adaptions to the arid and open landscapes of the Corsica-Sardinia landmass. The Sardinian pika experienced anagenic evolution, with an increasing body size and shifting dental morphology over time. Ecology Abundant fossil and subfossil remains of P. sardus are known from several localities across Corsica and Sardinia hint at the once broad geographical range of this Prolagus species: it lived from sea level up to at least 800 m (2,624 ft.) in a variety of habitats (grasslands, shrublands) whereby it could dig burrows. Its diet was strictly vegetarian. The abundance of mass accumulations of broken bones (bone beds) suggest that the population density was high. The Sardinian pika was likely preyed on by the two native species of terrestrial carnivores, the Sardinian dhole, and mustelid Enhydrictis galictoides, which were specialized for hunting small prey. Other likely predators include birds of prey such as the endemic owl species Bubo insularis. Evolution and extinction The ancestor