There is a dearth of knowledge about the evolutionary history of "Nuralagus rex" in relation to other lagomorphs. However, similarities between the dental morphology of "Nuralagus" and Eurasian members of the extinct genus "Alilepus" have led to speculation that "Alilepus" is closely related to and, possibly, the ancestor of "Nuralagus". The theory that "Alilepus" gave rise to "Nuralagus" is apparently contradicted; "Alilepus" fossils found in Spain have been dated to the Quaternary period, well after "Nuralagus" would have been isolated on Menorca. Furthermore, "Alilepus" remains in areas other than Spain have been determined to be much older than Spanish specimens, implying that the genus arrived in Spain after its inception. This opposes the idea that an ancestor of "Alilepus" living in Spain was also the ancestor of "Nuralagus". On the other hand, "Trischizolagus", an extinct genus of lagomorph thought to be a possible ancestor of the European rabbit, is known to have lived in Iberia between 3 and 6 million years ago, coinciding with the Messinian Crisis. Therefore, it is possible that "Trischizolagus" is the ancestor of "Nuralagus".