Oryctolagus () 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 (, “dug up”) and (, “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.