Bone histology of the Late Pleistocene <i>Prolagus sardus</i> (Lagomorpha: Mammalia) provides further insights into life-history strategy of insular giant small mammals

Abstract Fossils provide an excellent opportunity to study and understand the evolution of insular environments free human-made perturbations. Here, we evaluated life-history traits strategy extinct giant Prolagus sardus (Mammalia: Lagomorpha) by examining microscopically its fossilized bone tissues (osteohistology, skeletochronology, quantitative geometry). For this task, a complete ontogenetic series femora retrieved from Late Pleistocene Grotta della Medusa (NW Sardinia, Italy) were analysed. Our results reveal that: (i) P. sardus’ pups weaned at large size; (ii) species’ maturation was delayed in life cycle; (iii) lived longer than expected for size. Hence, should have slow pace triggered low levels extrinsic mortality habitat. On other hand, tissue differences between Ochotona found vascularization, slow- growing presence, cortical medullary growth trajectories. The obtained concur with eco-evolutionary responses described date lagomorphs, as well new empirical evidence about phenomenon known ‘insular gigantism’ pattern small-sized mammals genuine ecosystems.