| Summary: | We provide the first whole genome sequences from three specimens of the mountain hare subspecies the heath hare ( Lepus timidus sylvaticus ), along with a sample subset of two mountain hares ( Lepus timidus timidus ) and two brown hares ( Lepus europaeus ) from Sweden. The heath hare has a unique grey winter pelage as compared to other mountain hares (white) and brown hares (mostly brown), and face regional extinction, likely due to competitive exclusion from the non-native brown hare. Whole genome resequencing from the eight hare specimens was mapped to the Lepus timidus pseudoreference genome and used for detection of 11,363,883 polymorphic nucleotide positions. We show that genomic data can be useful for addressing local adaptations and conservation status of mountain hares and brown hares in Sweden, including unique subspecies. The genomic data described could be used to assess adaptations of hares in for example pigmentation, cold durability and pathogen resistance in local, regional or distribution-wide range. A particular value is to develop an integrated monitoring tool for assessing the conservation status of the heath hare in southern and central Sweden. This could be done by integrating genetic data, harvest data, pellet inventories and camera trapping. In addition to general conservation, the long-term preservation of the heath hare, as well as understanding of the nature of interactions between mountain hares and brown hares, is important from a resource perceptive since hares are a game species in Sweden and elsewhere and, as such, a source of meat and recreation. Funding provided by: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004357 Award Number: NV-05813-21
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