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1
Twigg, Laurie E., Tim J. Lowe, Garry S. Gray, Gary R. Martin, Amanda G. Wheeler, and William Barker. "Spotlight counts, site fidelity and migration of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)." Wildlife Research 25, no. 2 (1998): 113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr97065.
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Regardless of their sex and age, the persistence of 76 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) translocated onto 5 different sites with relatively low rabbit densities was identical to that of resident rabbits. Emigration and exploratory movements by rabbits from 12 discrete populations were positively correlated with rabbit density and mainly undertaken by adult rabbits. Adult males moved significantly more often and further than adult females. Two peaks in immigration were observed; a large peak (usually in January) immediately following the breeding season, and a second but smaller peak in March which preceded the start of the next breeding season. Again, significantly more adult males than females immigrated. The proportion of rabbits seen in spotlight counts was positively correlated with rabbit density, which suggests that biases in population estimates could result in some situations. No clear patterns on the effects of a variety of weather variables on spotlight counts could be established, but increasing rainfall, wind speed and moonlight may have reduced rabbit activity.
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Mutze, Greg, Brian Cooke, and Scott Jennings. "Estimating density-dependent impacts of European rabbits on Australian tree and shrub populations." Australian Journal of Botany 64, no. 2 (2016): 142. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt15208.
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Introduced European rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, can severely damage Australian native vegetation but the problem is difficult to quantify because simple methods to estimate rabbit impacts are lacking. Management decision-making is often uncertain because of unknown relationships between rabbit density and damage. We tested simple quantitative sampling methods using belt transects to detect differences in critical characteristics of perennial vegetation communities affected by rabbit browsing: damage to individual juvenile shrubs and trees, and loss of recruitment cohorts. Rabbit density and relative abundance of larger herbivores were estimated from dung pellet density. The prevalence of identifiable rabbit browse on juvenile plants increased with increasing rabbit density and was higher for plant species considered by previous authors to be highly palatable than for moderately palatable or unpalatable species. At densities of ≥0.5 rabbits ha–1, highly palatable plant species were severely damaged as juveniles and cohorts in 0.3–1.0 m height classes and 5–20 mm basal diameter classes were missing. Similar damage became apparent in moderately palatable species at 2 rabbits ha–1 but was rarely seen in unpalatable species. Within species, size cohort evenness was inversely related to the proportion of surviving juveniles with identifiable rabbit damage. The effect of rabbits on native vegetation condition can be recorded in a simple manner suitable for identifying density-damage relationships and changes in vegetation condition over time. It is particularly useful in setting target densities below which rabbits must be managed to maintain natural plant recruitment and ecosystem function in conservation reserves and pastoral grazing properties of southern Australia.
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Neves, Fabiana, Joana Abrantes, Tereza Almeida, Paulo P. Costa, and Pedro J. Esteves. "Evolutionary Insights into IL17A in Lagomorphs." Mediators of Inflammation 2015 (2015): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/367670.
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In leporids, IL17A had been implicated in the host defense against extracellular pathogens, such asFrancisella tularensisthat infects hares and rabbits and causes the zoonotic disease tularemia. Here, we studied IL17A from five lagomorphs, European rabbit, pygmy rabbit, brush rabbit, European brown hare, and American pika. We observed that this protein is highly conserved between these species, with a similarity of 97–99% in leporids and ~88% between leporids and American pika. The exon/intron structure, N-glycosylation sites, and cysteine residues are conserved between lagomorphs. However, at codon 88, one of the interaction sites between IL17A and its receptor IL17RA, there is an Arg>Pro mutation that only occurs in European rabbit and European brown hare. This could induce critical alterations in the IL17A structure and conformation and consequently modify its function. The differences observed between leporids and humans or rodents might also represent important alterations in protein structure and function. In addition, as for other interleukins, IL17A sequences of human and European rabbit are more closely related than the sequences of human and mouse or European rabbit and mouse. This study gives further support to the hypothesis that European rabbit might be a more suitable animal model for studies on human IL17.
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Peacock, David E., and Ron G. Sinclair. "Longevity record for a wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from South Australia." Australian Mammalogy 31, no. 1 (2009): 65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am08108.
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A population of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has been monitored since November 1996 through mark–recapture as part of a longitudinal epidemiological study into two Australian rabbit biocontrol agents, rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) and myxomatosis. A female rabbit, first captured as a subadult in late November 1999, was recaptured 18 times before its final capture at the end of February 2007. The longevity of this rabbit, being from its calculated birth date to the date it was last captured, was 7.6 years. A review of the literature indicates this to be the longest lifespan recorded for a European rabbit in the wild.
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Moreno, Sacramento, Juan F. Beltrán, Irene Cotilla, Beatriz Kuffner, Rafael Laffite, Gloria Jordán, José Ayala, et al. "Long-term decline of the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in south-western Spain." Wildlife Research 34, no. 8 (2007): 652. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr06142.
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The European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a species native to the Iberian Peninsula, where it was once extremely abundant. It is considered the most important prey item for the peninsula’s assemblage of Mediterranean vertebrate predators, which includes two endangered specialist rabbit feeders, the Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) and the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). However, rabbit population trends in Spain have not been accurately documented. In the present study, we analysed trends in a population of European rabbits monitored over 23 years in the Doñana National Park, home to one of the most diverse and densest predator communities in Europe. Rabbit abundance and population trends were estimated using roadside counts. Results show that the rabbit population declined sharply by ~60% during the first wave of epizootic rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) in 1990. Since then, rabbit numbers have declined at a relatively constant rate and the species has become progressively scarcer in the area. The current population is less than 10% of that before the arrival of RHD. However, after the RHD epizootic we observed increasing intra-annual population recruitment. We hypothesise that density-dependent factors caused by enzootic viral diseases (myxomatosis, RHD) and higher predation of rabbits are the main factors preventing recovery of rabbit numbers. The effects of a decline in the prey species on the ecology of sympatric rabbit predators are discussed, and measures to improve ongoing rabbit conservation efforts are suggested.
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Rouco, C., P. Ferreras, F. Castro, and R. Villafuerte. "The effect of exclusion of terrestrial predators on short-term survival of translocated European wild rabbits." Wildlife Research 35, no. 7 (2008): 625. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr07151.
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Many translocation methods have been tested in southern Europe in recent decades to increase the translocation success of the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) for both conservation and game purposes. The main problem experienced during such translocations is the high short-term (7 days) mortality attributed to predation during the days immediately following rabbit release. In this study, we test the effect of the exclusion of terrestrial predators on the survival of translocated rabbits for recovery purposes. Four translocation plots (4 ha with 18 artificial warrens each) were constructed, two of them with a fence to exclude terrestrial predators. In all, 724 rabbits were released to the translocation plots in five batches and forced to remain inside warrens for 7 days. Following liberation, exclusion of predators did not increase rabbit survival in the short term. Contrary to expectations, three months after release, survival of rabbits in the unfenced plot was slightly, but not significantly, higher than in the fenced plot (0.57 and 0.40 respectively). Although predator control is a frequent management practice associated with rabbit translocations, our results suggest that it may not favour rabbit survival rate as much as the adaptation of rabbits to the release site.
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Mutze, Greg, Brian Cooke, Mark Lethbridge, and Scott Jennings. "A rapid survey method for estimating population density of European rabbits living in native vegetation." Rangeland Journal 36, no. 3 (2014): 239. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj13117.
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European rabbits are severe environmental pests in Australia but reporting of density-damage relationships has been hindered by a lack of simple methods to estimate the density of rabbit populations in native vegetation. A methodology for quantifying rabbit densities suitable for use in sparse populations of rabbits in conjunction with surveys of the condition of native vegetation is proposed. Dung pellets were counted in 11 629 regularly-spaced quadrats of 0.1 m2 in semiarid, coastal and cool-temperate areas of southern Australia. Mean pellet counts in latrines and the relationship between dung counts outside of latrines and the proportion of quadrats falling on latrines were quantified. This allowed density of dung pellets to be estimated by using a correction factor for latrines instead of attempting to count all pellets within quadrats that included parts of latrines. Rabbit density was calculated from pellet density based on mean pellet size, pellet breakdown rate and estimates of rabbits’ dry matter intake and digestive efficiency. Results were validated against estimates of rabbit density from long-term studies using a combination of spotlight transect counts and burrow entrance counts. The proposed methodology allows estimates of rabbit density in native vegetation to be obtained from just a few hours work and can be used in conjunction with surveys of the condition of native vegetation to quantify rabbit impacts. This methodology is seen as particularly useful in providing a tool to allow rabbit densities to be estimated and then compared with the thresholds, determined separately, at which damage occurs for given ecosystems.
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Pennell, Christopher G. L., M. Philip Rolston, A. David M. Latham, Wade J. Mace, Ben Vlaming, Chikako van Koten, M. Cecilia Latham, Samantha Brown, and Stuart D. Card. "Novel grass–endophyte associations reduce the feeding behaviour of invasive European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)." Wildlife Research 43, no. 8 (2016): 681. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr16114.
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Context Small mammalian herbivores, such as European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), can have significant unwanted impacts on agriculture and horticulture and can attract birds of prey and avian scavengers to airports, increasing the risk of bird strike. Sustainable wildlife management tools that have high efficacy and animal welfare are needed to mitigate these impacts. Aim We assessed perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) cultivars associated with selected Epichloë endophytes, originally developed for bird management at airports, to determine their feeding-deterrent properties towards invasive rabbits. Methods A pellet feed trial using caged domestic rabbits and a pen trial using wild rabbits were conducted to assess rabbit responses to food pellets with novel endophyte-infected or uninfected grass seed and to plots planted with endophyte-infected or uninfected grasses, respectively. Key results Caged rabbits ate significantly less food pellets containing endophyte-infected grass straw than pellets containing endophyte-free grass straw. Wild rabbits consumed significantly less herbage from plots planted with endophyte-infected grasses than those of the equivalent endophyte-free grass cultivars. Temporal patterns of rabbit feeding behaviour support the hypothesis that deterrence in rabbits resulted from post-ingestion feedback associated with grass–endophyte secondary metabolites. Conclusions Although more research is required on the exact mechanism of action in rabbits, our results suggest novel endophyte-infected grass associations may substantially reduce rabbit feeding behaviour and possibly rabbit numbers in areas where these grasses are sown. Implications Novel grass–endophyte associations have great potential for deterring problem wildlife at airports and other amenity areas.
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Berman, D., M. Brennan, and P. Elsworth. "How can warren destruction by ripping control European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on large properties in the Australian arid zone?" Wildlife Research 38, no. 1 (2011): 77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr09178.
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Context For over 100 years, control efforts have been unable to stop rabbits causing damage to cattle production and native plants and animals on large properties in arid parts of Australia. Warren destruction by ripping has shown promise, but doubts about long-term success and the perceived expense of treating vast areas have led to this technique not being commonly used. Aims This study measured the long-term reduction in rabbit activity and calculated the potential cost saving associated with treating just the areas where rabbits are believed to survive drought. We also considered whether ripping should be used in a full-scale rabbit control program on a property where rabbits have been exceptionally resilient to the influence of biological and other control measures. Methods Rabbits were counted along spotlight transects before warrens were ripped and during the two years after ripping, in treated and untreated plots. Rabbit activity was recorded to determine the immediate and long-term impact of ripping, up to seven years after treatment. The costs of ripping warrens within different distances from drought refuge areas were calculated. Key results Destroying rabbit warrens by ripping caused an immediate reduction in rabbit activity and there were still 98% fewer rabbits counted by spotlight in ripped plots five months after ripping. Seven years after ripping no active warrens were found in ripped plots, whereas 57% of warrens in unripped plots showed signs of rabbit activity. The cost of ripping only the areas where rabbits were likely to seek refuge from drought was calculated to be less than 4% of the cost of ripping all warrens on the property. Conclusions Destroying rabbit warrens by ripping is a very effective way of reducing rabbit numbers on large properties in arid Australia. Ripping should commence in areas used by rabbits to survive drought. It is possible that no further ripping will be required. Implications Strategic destruction of warrens in drought refuge areas could provide an alternative to biological control for managing rabbits on large properties in the Australian arid zone.
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Rizwan, Muhammad, Rana Manzoor Ahmad, Abdul Majid Khan, Misbah Khalid, and Muhammad Wajid. "Craniometric Analysis of European Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) Breeds to Trace out Intraspecific and Inter Gender Morphometric Variations." Journal of Bioresource Management 8, no. 3 (August 2, 2021): 41–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.35691/jbm.1202.0194.
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The family Liproidae expresses the significant variation of morphometric features at species level. In already available literature on the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) the idea is proposed that there can be variation in the morphometric character of different breeds of Oryctolagus cuniculus but there are negligible scientific research base evidences for it. So in this study interbreed craniometric comparison of the European rabbit is carried out to trace out their intergender and intraspecific morphometric variations. The study material consists of 32 sexually mature rabbits belong to two breeds of European rabbit that are New Zealand rabbit (eight males and eight females) and American Dutch rabbit (eight males and eight females) collected from different districts of the Punjab, Pakistan. There were 29 different measurements taken from the skull and mandible of both breeds by using digital and manual verniar calipers. The results of this study have revealed that there is significant interbreed variation in the nasal length measurement of the New Zealand and American Dutch rabbit. This significant interbreed difference in nasal length is observed in both female as well as male rabbits (p=0.0059 and 0.0069 respectively). The current study also depicts that inter gender craniometric variations exist in the New Zealand as well as American Dutch rabbit. The standard deviation of the foramen magnum index of the both included breeds is comparatively higher than all the other included morphometric features. This study provides the baseline data on interbreed craniometric variations in the Oryctolagus cuniculus.
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Coelho, Catarina, Madalena Vieira-Pinto, Anabela Vilares, Maria João Gargaté, Manuela Rodrigues, Luís Cardoso, and Ana Patrícia Lopes. "PCR Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in European Wild Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from Portugal." Microorganisms 8, no. 12 (December 4, 2020): 1926. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8121926.
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Wildlife plays an important role in the epidemiological cycle of Toxoplasma gondii. The European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) can be a source of infection to wild and domestic hosts, including human beings. Additionally, as an herbivorous animal, the European wild rabbit may also be a sentinel of environmental contamination with T. gondii and, consequently, an indicator of the potential transmission of this parasite. The purpose of the present work was to detect T. gondii DNA in European wild rabbit from central Portugal, as well as the possible implications for public health. Heart and diaphragm samples were obtained from 28 rabbits hunted in central Portugal. Nested PCR separately amplified the 5′ and 3′ ends of the surface antigen 2 (SAG2) gene. T. gondii DNA was detected in 19 out of the 28 sampled animals, resulting in a prevalence of 67.9%. These results show that T. gondii infection occurs in European wild rabbit and therefore may pose a potential risk for humans if consumed as raw or undercooked meat. Measures should be taken in order to prevent infection by this zoonotic parasite and for the conservation of wildlife. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study performed by means of PCR on T. gondii in European wild rabbit meat samples.
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Jahnke, Marlene, Edward C. Holmes, Peter J. Kerr, John D. Wright, and Tanja Strive. "Evolution and Phylogeography of the Nonpathogenic Calicivirus RCV-A1 in Wild Rabbits in Australia." Journal of Virology 84, no. 23 (September 22, 2010): 12397–404. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jvi.00777-10.
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ABSTRACT Despite its potential importance for the biological control of European rabbits, relatively little is known about the evolution and molecular epidemiology of rabbit calicivirus Australia 1 (RCV-A1). To address this issue we undertook an extensive evolutionary analysis of 36 RCV-A1 samples collected from wild rabbit populations in southeast Australia between 2007 and 2009. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the entire capsid sequence, six clades of RCV-A1 were defined, each exhibiting strong population subdivision. Strikingly, our estimates of the time to the most recent common ancestor of RCV-A1 coincide with the introduction of rabbits to Australia in the mid-19th century. Subsequent divergence events visible in the RCV-A1 phylogenies likely reflect key moments in the history of the European rabbit in Australia, most notably the bottlenecks in rabbit populations induced by the two viral biocontrol agents used on the Australian continent, myxoma virus and rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). RCV-A1 strains therefore exhibit strong phylogeographic separation and may constitute a useful tool to study recent host population dynamics and migration patterns, which in turn could be used to monitor rabbit control in Australia.
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Varela, Fernando. "Myxomatosis and Radioactivity in Carlos Saura’s La caza (The Hunt, 1966)." Environmental Humanities 14, no. 1 (March 1, 2022): 129–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1215/22011919-9481473.
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Abstract The myxoma virus (MYXV) was used in Australia in 1950 to control, albeit temporarily, the overpopulation of the invasive European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). A different strand of the virus was released in France two years later, resulting in the drastic decline of European rabbits in the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. The MYXV’s disease, myxomatosis, is a highly contagious and normally fatal infection in a rabbit species lacking resistance, such as the European rabbit. As myxomatosis was spreading across the European continent, Spain started to invest in nuclear energy. The use of myxomatosis as a bioweapon and the creation of nuclear energy capable of radioactive pollution are also at the core of Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura’s La caza (The Hunt, 1966). This article argues that The Hunt provides an important examination on extinction and biopolitics at both local and global levels through its portrayal of myxomatosis and radioactivity.
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Kontsiotis, Vasileios J., Dimitrios E. Bakaloudis, and Vasilios Liordos. "Impact of European wild rabbits foraging in different habitat and vegetation types in an insular environment." Mammalia 82, no. 2 (February 23, 2018): 193–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2016-0132.
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AbstractEuropean wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are prolific herbivores, affecting natural and agricultural ecosystems. We installed 10 experimental units, each consisting of two fenced plots, one excluding all herbivores and one allowing rabbit access only, to estimate the impact of rabbit grazing in three vegetation types occurring in two dominant habitat types on Lemnos Island, Greece. Plant productivity was significantly higher in barley crops than on both fallow land and Mediterranean scrublands. Rabbit grazing caused significant reduction of productivity in barley crops and Mediterranean scrublands, but not on fallow land. Selective feeding and seasonal food availability may have shaped patterns of rabbit impact.
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Olsen, Jerry, Brian Cooke, Susan Trost, and David Judge. "Is wedge-tailed eagle, Aquila audax, survival and breeding success closely linked to the abundance of European rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus?" Wildlife Research 41, no. 2 (2014): 95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr14033.
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Context Some ecologists argue that nesting success and abundance of wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax) are strongly linked to the abundance of introduced wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Consequently, concerns were expressed about eagle population viability when the biological control agent rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) heavily reduced rabbit numbers. However, observations following the spread of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) in Australia and Spain (where Aquila adalberti is an equivalent of A. audax) question this assertion. Eagle numbers did not fall even though rabbits declined regionally by up to 90% in both countries. Aims To reconsider the assumption of a strong link between rabbit abundance and wedge-tailed eagle breeding and population maintenance. Dispelling misconceptions, if any, about the eagles’ dependence on rabbits would benefit the future management of both eagles and rabbits. Methods We reviewed the literature associated with claims that eagles were heavily dependent on rabbits and asked whether these views could be substantiated given the lack of changes in eagle abundance following the spread of RHD. Data on eagle egg-clutch size and nesting success were also reviewed. Conclusions There is little evidence that eagles depend heavily on rabbits as prey. Instead, as rabbits decline, more kangaroos, reptiles and birds are eaten, partly because more native prey becomes available. Eagles have a high proportion of rabbits in their diets mainly where degradation of natural ecosystems, including that caused by rabbits, results in native prey being rare or unavailable. There has been minimal variation in average clutch size following major perturbations in rabbit population size. Implications Rather than perpetuating the idea that high populations of rabbits are needed for wedge-tailed eagle conservation, resources would be better re-directed into understanding continental-scale eagle population dynamics. This would provide a more rational framework to assist decisions on future biological control agents for rabbits.
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King, DR, AJ Oliver, and SH Wheeler. "The European Rabbit Flea, Spilopsyllus Cuniculi, in South-Western Australia." Wildlife Research 12, no. 2 (1985): 227. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9850227.
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Spilopsyllus cuniculi, a vector of myxomatosis, was introduced by various methods at several sites in the south-west of Western Australia in May 1969 for the biological control of rabbits. It spread rapidly and within 14 months all rabbits collected within about 5 km of one of the release sites were infested with fleas. Further introductions of the flea during the past decade have resulted in a wide distribution for it throughout the south-west of the state. Flea numbers fluctuate seasonally and are highest in reproductively active female rabbits in winter and spring. Since the introductions of the flea, the timing of epizootics of myxomatosis has changed and their effect on rabbit populations has increased.
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Carvalho, Carina Luisa, Fábio Alexandre Abade dos Santos, Teresa Fagulha, Paulo Carvalho, Paula Mendonça, Madalena Monteiro, and Margarida Dias Duarte. "Myxoma virus and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 coinfection in a European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus), Portugal." Veterinary Record Case Reports 8, no. 1 (March 2020): e001002. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vetreccr-2019-001002.
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Myxoma virus (MYXV) and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) are two major pathogens that affect the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Between August 2017 and August 2019, 1166 wild rabbits (971 legally hunted and 195 found dead) were tested by PCR-based methods for MYXV and RHDV2 within the scope of an ongoing surveillance programme on wild leporids in Portugal. Despite never having been reported before and being considered a rare event, coinfection by RHDV2 and MYXV was detected in one juvenile wild rabbit found dead in the Évora district located in Alentejo. The relative frequency of coinfection in the group of diseased rabbits (found dead in the field) was 0.52 per cent (1/195). The positivity percentage of each single virus was much higher, namely, 14.36 per cent (28/195) for MYXV and 55.38 per cent (108/195) for RHDV2, within the 2 years of sample collection considered.
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Latham, A. David M., Graham Nugent, and Bruce Warburton. "Evaluation of camera traps for monitoring European rabbits before and after control operations in Otago, New Zealand." Wildlife Research 39, no. 7 (2012): 621. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr12050.
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Context European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are reaching plague proportions again in some parts of New Zealand as the effect of rabbit haemorrhagic disease begins to wane. Effective monitoring techniques are required to quantify the success of alternative methods of controlling rabbits, such as poisoning. Aim To evaluate camera traps as a method of estimating the percentage of rabbits killed in a poison control operation, and to compare results obtained from cameras with those from traditional monitoring methods (spotlight transects and vantage-point counts). Methods We deployed cameras and conducted vantage-point counts and spotlight transects to compare a priori statistical power. We then used these monitoring methods to estimate percentage kill from a case study rabbit-control operation using sodium fluoroacetate (compound 1080). Key results Cameras had good statistical power to detect large reductions in rabbit numbers (>90%) and the percentage kill estimated using cameras was comparable with spotlight transects and vantage-point counts. Conclusions Cameras set up at fixed sampling locations can be an effective method of quantitatively assessing rabbit population control outcomes. We recommend that ≥6 cameras per 100 ha should remain active for at least 5 days before and 5 days following control, so as to obtain reliable estimates of percentage kill. Implications Cameras may be preferable to conventional monitoring methods where there is insufficient area to walk or drive transects, terrain is too rugged or scrubby for transects, and there are no or few vantage points from which to count rabbits.
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Virgós, Emilio, Sara Cabezas-Díaz, Aurelio Malo, Jorge Lozano, and Daniel López-Huertas. "Factors shaping European rabbit abundance." Acta Theriologica 48, no. 1 (March 2003): 113–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf03194271.
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Emam, Ahmed Mostafa, Sandra Afonso, Pedro González-Redondo, G. M. K. Mehaisen, A. A. A. Azoz, N. A. Ahmed, and N. Fernand. "Status and origin of Egyptian local rabbits in comparison with Spanish common rabbits using mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis." World Rabbit Science 28, no. 2 (June 30, 2020): 93. http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2020.12219.
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<p>Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and cytochrome b (cyt b) gene sequences were used to determine the status of genetic diversity and phylogeny for 132 individuals from local rabbit breeds in Egypt and Spain. The Egyptian local rabbit breeds were Egyptian Red Baladi (ERB), Egyptian Black Baladi (EBB) and Egyptian Gabali Sinai (EGS). However, the Spanish local rabbit breed was Spanish common rabbit (SCR). Previous breeds were compared with European Wild Rabbit taken from Albacete, Spain (EWR). A total of 353 mutations, 290 polymorphic sites, 14 haplotypes, 0.06126 haplotype diversity and -1.900 (<em>P</em><0.05) for Tajima’s D were defined in this study. Haplotype A mostly occurred in 83.3% of Egyptian rabbits and 11.7% of EWR, while haplotype B occurred in 63.8% of Spanish rabbits and 36.2% of the EGS breed. A total of 47 domestic and wild <em>Oryctolagus cuniculus</em> published sequences were used to investigate the origin and relation among the rabbit breeds tested in this study. The most common haplotype (A) was combined with 44.7% of published sequences. However, haplotype B was combined with 8.5%. Haplotypes of Egyptian, SCR and EWR were scattered in cluster 1, while we found only one EGS haplotype with two haplotypes of EWR in cluster 2. Our results assumed that genetic diversity for ERB, EBB and SCR was very low. Egyptian breeds and SCR were introduced from European rabbits. We found that ERB and EBB belong to one breed.</p>
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Calvete, Carlos, Enrique Pelayo, and Javier Sampietro. "Habitat factors related to wild rabbit population trends after the initial impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease." Wildlife Research 33, no. 6 (2006): 467. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr05107.
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The European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is an introduced pest species in Australia and New Zealand. Rabbits have a devastating negative impact on agricultural production and biodiversity in these countries, and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) is currently included in control strategies for rabbit populations. On the other hand, the European wild rabbit is a key native prey species in the Iberian Peninsula. Since the arrival of RHD, however, rabbit populations have undergone dramatic decreases and several predator species at risk of extinction are currently dependent on the rabbit population density. Therefore, from the point of view of biodiversity conservation, evaluating habitat correlates and trends of rabbit populations after the first RHD epizootic is of great interest to improve the long-term control or promotion of wild rabbit populations. We estimated the relationship between habitat factors and long-term population trends as well as the relationships between habitat factors and rabbit abundance 2 and 14 years after the arrival of RHD in several Iberian rabbit populations. We observed that only 26% of surveyed populations seemed to experience an increase in rabbit abundance over the last 12 years and that this increase was higher in the low-rabbit-abundance areas of l992, leading to high rabbit abundance in 2004. Our results suggested that short- and long-term impacts of RHD were related to habitat quality. The initial impact of RHD was higher in more suitable habitats, but increasing long-term population trends were positively related to good habitat quality.
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Zheng, Tao, Anna M. Napier, John P. Parkes, Joseph S. O'Keefe, and Paul H. Atkinson. "Detection of RNA of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus from New Zealand wild rabbits." Wildlife Research 29, no. 6 (2002): 683. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr01071.
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Rabbit numbers have returned to high levels in some areas of New Zealand following the initial spread of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). We undertook to determine whether possible infection with an RHDV-related virus was interfering with the initiation of new outbreaks of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD). RHDV RNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcription (RT-PCR) using RHDV-specific primers from tissue samples of wild rabbits that had been shot in the field. RHDV RNA was detected in 11 of 19 rabbits from an area of Otago where the rabbit population had greatly expanded and in 2 of 8 rabbits from the West Coast where outbreaks of RHD had not been previously reported. Among the 13 rabbits positive for RHDV RNA, 10 had detectable antibodies against RHDV. The nucleotide sequences of the isolates — a segment of the RHDV capsid gene — shared about 99% identity with that of the Czech strain V351 and that of a 1997 New Zealand wild isolate, but shared only about 84% identity with that of a European benign rabbit calicivirus. These results provide evidence for persistent infection of RHDV in rabbits.
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Elsworth, P., D. Berman, and M. Brennan. "Changes in small native animal populations following control of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) by warren ripping in the Australian arid zone." Wildlife Research 46, no. 4 (2019): 343. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr18088.
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Context European rabbits have a great impact on native vegetation and small vertebrates in Australia. Rabbits consume vegetation and promote invasive plants and invasive predators, and compete directly and indirectly with native animals suppressing those populations. Aims We explored the changes in small native vertebrates and invertebrates following the removal of rabbits. Methods Warren ripping was undertaken on a property in south-western Queensland at four sites and the results of pitfall trapping were compared with four nearby paired control sites. Invertebrates and small mammals were counted in pitfall traps, and bird surveys were conducted in all treatment and control sites. Key results Following a rabbit-control program, we observed a four-fold increase in the number of dunnarts trapped in treatment plots, whereas no change was observed in control plots. The spring following the rabbit-control program also saw an increase in some lizards in treatment plots. Conclusions The presence of rabbits in arid-zone Australia can suppress native animal populations. Implications Many species of small native mammals and lizards rely on food sources that fluctuate greatly with environmental conditions. The presence of rabbits altering the landscape, supporting introduced predators, reducing vegetation and, therefore, insects, adds increased pressure for insectivorous species. Rabbit control through warren ripping in arid-zone Australia is an effective method to reduce rabbit numbers, and allowed for an increase in small vertebrates in treated areas.
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Maženský, D., and S. Flešárová. "Anatomical Arrangement of the Subclavian Artery Branches in the Rabbit and European Hare." Folia Veterinaria 61, no. 4 (December 20, 2017): 22–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/fv-2017-0034.
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Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the anatomical arrangements of the branches arising from the subclavian arteries in the domesticated rabbit and hare. The study was carried out on ten adult rabbits and ten adult European hares using the corrosion cast technique. After the euthanasia, the vascular network was perfused with saline. The arterial system of the entire body was injected by Batson’s corrosion casting kit No. 17. After polymerization of the medium, the maceration was carried out in KOH solution. The arrangement of the origins of the branches of the bilateral subclavian arteries were more variable in the hare. The number of branches arising from the subclavian artery were more regular in the rabbit on the right side and in the hare on the left side. In the rabbit, we found in two cases, the origins of the branches of the left subclavian artery from the aortic arch. The anatomical found between the rabbit and the hare may possibly be associated with their different ways of life.
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Guerrero–Casado, J., J. Letty, and F. S. Tortosa. "European rabbit restocking: a critical review in accordance with IUCN (1998) guidelines for re–introduction." Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 36, no. 2 (December 2013): 177–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.32800/abc.2013.36.0177.
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European rabbit restocking is one of the most frequent actions in hunting estates and conservation projects in Spain, France and Portugal where rabbit is a keystone species. The aim of this work was to review current knowledge regarding rabbit restocking in accordance with the IUCN (1998) guidelines for re–introduction in order to identify gaps in knowledge and highlight the techniques that improve the overall success rate. Eight of 17 items selected from these guidelines were identified as partly studied or unknown, including important items such as the management and release of captive–reared wild rabbits, the development of transport and monitoring programs, the application of vaccine programs, and post–release long–term studies. Researchers should therefore concentrate their efforts on bridging these knowledge gaps, and wildlife managers should consider all the factors reviewed herein so as to establish accurate management guidelines for subsequent rabbit restocking programs.
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Robley, Alan J., Jeff Short, and Stuart Bradley. "Do European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) influence the population ecology of the burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur)?" Wildlife Research 29, no. 5 (2002): 423. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr01007.
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The influence of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on the survival of medium-sized native mammals remains unclear despite 60 years of speculation. Most medium-sized native species that might have been affected by the presence of rabbits are extinct, rare, or endangered. This limits the opportunity to study their interaction with introduced herbivores. We studied the effect of changes in rabbit density on aspects of the ecology of burrowing bettongs (Bettongia lesueur) reintroduced to mainland Australia on Heirisson Prong, Shark Bay, Western Australia. The rabbit population at the site grew to a 10-year high concomitant with a dry summer and low and declining pasture cover. Rabbit browsing led to widespread defoliation of, and subsequent death of, many palatable shrubs. Despite these adverse conditions, reproduction, recruitment and rate of increase of bettongs did not vary with changes in rabbit density, nor did the survival of adult males and females. This work casts doubt on the idea that competition with an introduced herbivore, such as the rabbit, was an important factor in the decline of the burrowing bettong. It highlights the need to understand the ecologies and life histories of native and introduced species in order to manage for the long-term persistence of native species.
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Dellafiore, C. M., C. Rouco, S. Muñóz Vallés, and J. B. Gallego Fernández. "Seasonal habitat use by the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in a coastal dune system in SW Spain." Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 37, no. 2 (December 2014): 233–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.32800/abc.2014.37.0233.
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We studied habitat use by the wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in a coastal sand dune system in the south–western Iberian peninsula. Our goals were to define the use of this habitat by rabbits in relation to food and shelter availability between seasons. Rabbit density, food availability and refuge abundance were analysed using multiple regression analyses. We found that, independently of season, habitat selection was principally related to cover by the woody shrub Retama monosperma which rabbits use both as a food resource and as protection against predators. Although it is an invasive native plant, the benefits that R. monosperma provides.
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Reemers, Sylvia, Leon Peeters, Joyce van Schijndel, Beth Bruton, David Sutton, Leo van der Waart, and Saskia van de Zande. "Novel Trivalent Vectored Vaccine for Control of Myxomatosis and Disease Caused by Classical and a New Genotype of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus." Vaccines 8, no. 3 (August 5, 2020): 441. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines8030441.
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Myxoma virus (MV) and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) are the major causes of lethal viral diseases in the European rabbit. In 2010, a new RHDV genotype (RHDV2) emerged in the field that had limited cross-protection with the classical RHDV (RHDV1). For optimal protection of rabbits and preventing spread of disease, a vaccine providing protection against all three key viruses would be ideal. Therefore, a novel trivalent myxoma vectored RHDV vaccine (Nobivac Myxo-RHD PLUS) was developed similar to the existing bivalent myxoma vectored RHDV vaccine Nobivac Myxo-RHD. The new vaccine contains the Myxo-RHDV1 strain already included in Nobivac Myxo-RHD and a similarly produced Myxo-RHDV2 strain. This paper describes several key safety and efficacy studies conducted for European licensing purposes. Nobivac Myxo-RHD PLUS showed to be safe for use in rabbits from five weeks of age onwards, including pregnant rabbits, and did not spread from vaccinated rabbits to in-contact controls. Furthermore, protection to RHDV1 and RHDV2 was demonstrated by challenge, while the serological response to MV was similar to that after vaccination with Nobivac Myxo-RHD. Therefore, routine vaccination with Nobivac Myxo-RHD PLUS can prevent the kept rabbit population from these major viral diseases.
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Foran, BD, WA Low, and BW Strong. "The Response of Rabbit Populations and Vegetation to Rabbit Control on a Calcareous Shrubby Grassland in Central Australia." Wildlife Research 12, no. 2 (1985): 237. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9850237.
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The effect of rabbit control methods on rabbit populations and subsequent changes in vegetation were assessed over 2 years on a calcareous shrubby grassland in central Australia. Warren ripping and fumigating decreased mean population levels to four rabbits per kilometre of spotlight transect, and 1080 poisoning decreased mean levels to 9 km-1, compared to the untreated levels of 20 km-l. Release of European rabbit fleas did not have any significant effect on rabbit populations. In the untreated rabbit populations, 68% of the fluctuation in numbers was accounted for by total rainfalls in the previous summer and the previous winter, and by a forage greenness rating. Experimental control of rabbits combined with exclosures indicated that grazing by high numbers of rabbits reduced the frequency of Enneapogon spp. at one site whereas levels rose in all other sites during the two years of good rainfall. The frequency of several species, such as Chenopodium cristatum, Phyllanthus rhytidospermus and Portulaca oleracea, was highly correlated with rabbit density in the previous year, suggesting that rabbit grazing promotes their increase. Grazing'by rabbits alone depressed standing biomass in the following season by 300 kg ha-1 from a maximum 1200 kg ha-1 within the exclosures. Cattle grazing further decreased biomass by 150 kg ha-1. Seedlings of Acacia kempeana were almost absent in those areas open to rabbit grazing, but they were reasonably dense where rabbits were excluded. However, the vegetation response over the 2 years of experiment was due mainly to seasonal changes rather than rabbit control, and does not justify the expense of rabbit control at this stage. Substantial improvement in vegetation composition over the longer term may alter this conclusion.
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White, Piran C. L., Geraldine Newton-Cross, Michael Gray, Roland Ashford, Catherine White, and Glen Saunders. "Spatial interactions and habitat use of rabbits on pasture and implications for the spread of rabbit haemorrhagic disease in New South Wales." Wildlife Research 30, no. 1 (2003): 49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr01106.
Full textAbstract:
Successful control of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations in Australia has been achieved with the use of disease, initially myxomatosis and more recently rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD). Predicting the effectiveness of disease as a control agent depends on understanding the spatial and social organisation of its host population. We radio-tracked 37 rabbits from adjacent burrow systems during May and June 1999. Surface-dwelling rabbits had larger home ranges and core areas and a higher proportion of vegetation cover in their ranges than warren-based rabbits. Interactions between rabbit dyads from the same warren showed greater range overlap than those involving rabbits from different warrens and those involving itinerants. Static interaction was high and positive for intra-warren dyads, but low and negative for inter-warren, warren–surface and surface–surface dyads. These patterns of range use and interaction behaviour create a hierarchical contact and transmission structure within the rabbit population that is likely to vary according to external factors such as population density, resource availability, season, climate and the environment. Quantifying these links between the environment and the transmission process is important to increase our understanding of RHD as an effective management tool for rabbit populations.
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Cooke, B. D., J. L. Chapuis, V. Magnet, A. Lucas, and J. Kovaliski. "Potential use of myxoma virus and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus to control feral rabbits in the Kerguelen Archipelago." Wildlife Research 31, no. 4 (2004): 415. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr03084.
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Rabbits have caused enormous damage to the vegetation on seven islands in the sub-Antarctic Kerguelen archipelago, including the main island, Grande Terre. Rabbit sera collected during 2001–02 were tested for antibodies against myxoma virus and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus with a view to considering the wider use of these viruses to control rabbits. The results confirmed work done 15–20 years earlier that suggested that myxoma virus has not spread across all parts of Grande Terre and occurs at low prevalence among rabbits. By contrast, on Ile du Cimetière, where European rabbit fleas were introduced in 1987–88, the prevalence of myxoma antibodies is high and the rabbit population is relatively low, supporting the idea that the fleas are effective vectors of myxoma virus. Consequently, there should be benefits in releasing fleas on Grand Terre to enhance disease transmission. Reactivity of some rabbit sera in RHD-specific ELISAs suggested that a virus similar to RHDV may be present at low prevalence on Grande Terre but most rabbits are likely to be susceptible and this virus could be considered for use as a future biological control agent.
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MATUSCHKA, F. R., T. W. SCHINKEL, B. KLUG, A. SPIELMAN, and D. RICHTER. "Relative incompetence of European rabbits for Lyme disease spirochaetes." Parasitology 121, no. 3 (September 2000): 297–302. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0031182099006241.
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To determine whether rabbits may serve as reservoir hosts for Lyme disease spirochaetes in Europe, we compared their competence as hosts for Borrelia afzelii, one of the most prevalent European spirochaetal variants, with that of the Mongolian jird. To infect rabbits or jirds, at least 3 nymphal or adult Ixodes ricinus ticks infected with spirochaetes fed to repletion on each animal. Whereas jirds readily acquired tick-borne Lyme disease spirochaetes and subsequently infected vector ticks, rabbits exposed to tick-borne spirochaetes rarely became infectious to ticks. Only the rabbit that was infectious to ticks developed an antibody response. To the extent that I. ricinus ticks feed on European rabbits, these mammals may be zooprophylactic by diverting vector ticks from more suitable reservoir competent hosts.
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Abade dos Santos, Fábio A., Carolina Magro, Carina L. Carvalho, Pedro Ruivo, Margarida D. Duarte, and Maria C. Peleteiro. "A Potential Atypical Case of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease in a Dwarf Rabbit." Animals 11, no. 1 (December 28, 2020): 40. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11010040.
Full textAbstract:
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) is a highly contagious infectious disease of European wild and domestic rabbits. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV, GI.1) emerged in 1986 in Europe, rapidly spreading all over the world. Several genotypes of RHDV have been recognised over time, but in 2010, a new virus (RHDV2/RHDVb, GI.2) emerged and progressively replaced the previous RHDV strains, due to the lack of cross-immunity conferred between RHDV and RHDV2. RHDV2 has a high mutation rate, similarly to the other calivirus and recombines with strains of RHDV and non-pathogenic calicivirus (GI.4), ensuring the continuous emergence of new field strains. Although this poses a threat to the already endangered European rabbit species, the available vaccines against RHDV2 and the compliance of biosafety measures seem to be controlling the infection in the rabbit industry Pet rabbits, especially when kept indoor, are considered at lower risk of infections, although RHDV2 and myxoma virus (MYXV) constitute a permanent threat due to transmission via insects. Vaccination against these viruses is therefore recommended every 6 months (myxomatosis) or annually (rabbit haemorrhagic disease). The combined immunization for myxomatosis and RHDV through a commercially available bivalent vaccine with RHDV antigen has been extensively used (Nobivac® Myxo-RHD, MSD, Kenilworth, NJ, USA). This vaccine however does not confer proper protection against the RHDV2, thus the need for a rabbit clinical vaccination protocol update. Here we report a clinical case of hepatitis and alteration of coagulation in a pet rabbit that had been vaccinated with the commercially available bivalent vaccine against RHDV and tested positive to RHDV2 after death. The animal developed a prolonged and atypical disease, compatible with RHD. The virus was identified to be an RHDV2 recombinant strain, with the structural backbone of RHDV2 (GI.2) and the non-structural genes of non-pathogenic-A1 strains (RCV-A1, GI.4). Although confirmation of the etiological agent was only made after death, the clinical signs and analytic data were very suggestive of RHD.
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Flešárová, S., and D. Maženský. "Anatomical Comparison of the Renal Arteries in the Rabbit and European Hare." Folia Veterinaria 61, no. 4 (December 20, 2017): 12–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/fv-2017-0032.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractThe aim of this paper was to compare the level of origin of the renal arteries in the rabbit and hare. The study was carried out on ten adult rabbits and ten adult European hares using the corrosion cast technique. After the euthanasia, the vascular network was perfused with saline. Batson’s corrosion casting kit No. 17 was used as a casting medium. After polymerization of the medium, the maceration was carried out in KOH solution. We found variable levels of the origin of renal arteries in the rabbit, in the hare and between both species. In the rabbit, the right renal artery originated at the level of the second lumbar vertebra in 70 % of the cases and at the level of the first lumbar vertebra in 30 % of the cases, and the left-sided renal artery originated in 60 % of the cases at the level of the second lumbar vertebra and at the level of the third lumbar vertebra in 40 % of the cases. In the hare, the bilateral renal arteries originated at the level of the second lumbar vertebra. According to the results, it can be concluded that the origin level of the renal arteries from the abdominal aorta is more variable in the domesticated rabbit in comparison with the hare.
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Mutze, Greg, Nicki De Preu, Trish Mooney, Dylan Koerner, Darren McKenzie, Ron Sinclair, John Kovaliskli, and David Peacock. "Substantial numerical decline in South Australian rabbit populations following the detection of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2." Veterinary Record 182, no. 20 (March 8, 2018): 574. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.104734.
Full textAbstract:
Lagovirus europaeus GI.2, also commonly known as rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2, was first detected at two long-term monitoring sites for European rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, in South Australia, in mid-2016. Numbers of rabbits in the following 12–18 months were reduced to approximately 20 per cent of average numbers in the preceding 10 years. The impact recorded at the two South Australian sites, if widespread in Australia and persistent for several years, is likely to be of enormous economic and environmental benefit.
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Wheeler, SH, and DR King. "The European Rabbit in South- Western Australia II. Reproduction." Wildlife Research 12, no. 2 (1985): 197. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9850197.
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'The reproduction of the European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), at two intensive study sites in south-western Australia is compared with reproductive data from rabbits taken throughout the coastal and inland districts of the south-west region. South-western Australia has hot, arid summers and cool wet winters. Rabbit breeding in the region is characteristic of that in Mediterranean climates, with a winter breeding season which begins when pastures germinate with the initial winter rainfall (April-May) and ceases when the pastures dry out at the end of the year. Unseasonal cyclonic rain can promote pasture growth in summer, leading to limited breeding. At all times of year there were some fertile males, with fewest at the height of summer, followed by an increase before the winter breeding season. Near the coast, male fertility increased more rapidly than further inland. At our two study sites at Cape Naturaliste (on the coast) and Chidlow (55 km inland) the pattern was similar to that in the coastal district. Production of kittens was greater near the coast than further inland, because near the coast there was a high early peak in incidence of pregnancy, a second peak late in the year, and litters remained large throughout the breeding season. In the inland district, the early incidence of pregnancy was lower, there was no second peak, and litter sizes fell at the end of the year. Female reproduction at Cape Naturaliste was typical of that in the coastal district, but that at Chidlow was typical of the inland. The second peak of pregnancy at Cape Naturaliste was due to intensive breeding by subadults born earlier in the year. The differences in female reproduction and productivity between the coastal and inland districts are probably because pasture growth begins earlier and is better in the more fertile coastal areas than in the inland. That nutrition is better for rabbits in the coastal areas than in the inland is reflected in higher growth rates of kittens at Cape Naturaliste than at Chidlow. It is postulated, on the basis of the literature and the results of our studies, that the factor which determines whether rabbits will breed is the presence of growing vegetation, and that the intensity of breeding is influenced by a seasonal cycle in fertility.
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Cooke, BD. "Rabbit Burrows as Environments for European Rabbit Fleas, Spilopsyllus-Cuniculi (Dale), in Arid South-Australia." Australian Journal of Zoology 38, no. 3 (1990): 317. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9900317.
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The temperature and humidity of air within rabbit burrows was recorded for sites on either side of the margin of the distribution of the rabbit flea, Spilopsyllus cuniculi, in South Australia. The microclimate in the burrows differed significantly across this margin, and the differences in temperatures and humidities were large enough to have significant effects on flea populations. At sites where fleas occurred, the relative humidity of burrow air was above 70% and usually between 80 and 90% RH for at least 4-5 months during the winter and spring. This not only provided optimum conditions for the survival of flea larvae in the rabbits' nests, but also should have enabled the flea populations to achieve their full reproductive potential. High humidity of burrow air at these sites during summer would also favour the survival of free-living adult fleas. At those sites where fleas did not occur, the humidity of burrow air is generally unsuitable for the survival of larvae or free-living adult fleas.
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Moss, S. R., S. L. Turner, R. C. Trout, P. J. White, P. J. Hudson, A. Desai, M. Armesto, N. L. Forrester, and E. A. Gould. "Molecular epidemiology of Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus." Journal of General Virology 83, no. 10 (October 1, 2002): 2461–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/0022-1317-83-10-2461.
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Millions of domestic and wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have died in Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand during the past 17 years following infection by Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). This highly contagious and deadly disease was first identified in China in 1984. Epidemics of RHDV then radiated across Europe until the virus apparently appeared in Britain in 1992. However, this concept of radiation of a new and virulent virus from China is not entirely consistent with serological and molecular evidence. This study shows, using RT–PCR and nucleotide sequencing of RNA obtained from the serum of healthy rabbits stored at 4 °C for nearly 50 years, that, contrary to previous opinions, RHDV circulated as an apparently avirulent virus throughout Britain more than 50 years ago and more than 30 years before the disease itself was identified. Based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of British and European RHDV sequences, it is concluded that RHDV has almost certainly circulated harmlessly in Britain and Europe for centuries rather than decades. Moreover, analysis of partial capsid sequences did not reveal significant differences between RHDV isolates that came from either healthy rabbits or animals that had died with typical haemorrhagic disease. The high stability of RHDV RNA is also demonstrated by showing that it can be amplified and sequenced from rabbit bone marrow samples collected at least 7 weeks after the animal has died.
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Maženský, D., and S. Flešárová. "Origin Level of the Ventral Branches of the Abdominal Aorta in the Rabbit and European Hare." Folia Veterinaria 61, no. 2 (June 27, 2017): 22–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/fv-2017-0014.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractThe aim of this research was to describe the level of origin of the branches originating from the ventral surface of the abdominal aorta in the rabbit and hare. The study was carried out on ten adult rabbits and ten adult European hares using the corrosion cast technique. After euthanasia, the vascular network was perfused with saline. Batson’s corrosion casting kit No. 17 was used as a casting medium. After polymerization of the medium, the maceration was carried out in a KOH solution. We found variable levels of the origin of the celiac, cranial mesenteric and caudal mesenteric arteries in both species. In the rabbit, the celiac artery originated in the majority of cases at the cranial end of the first lumbar vertebra and in the hare at the middle part of the vertebral body of the same vertebra. The cranial mesenteric artery in the rabbit originated predominantly at the level of the first lumbar vertebra and in the hare at the level of the second lumbar vertebra. In the rabbit, the caudal mesenteric artery originated mainly at the level of the sixth lumbar vertebra and in the hare, at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra. We concluded that there were higher variabilities of the origins of the ventral branches of the abdominal aorta in domesticated rabbit in comparison with the European hare.
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Twigg, Laurie E., Tim J. Lowe, Gary R. Martin, Amanda G. Wheeler, Garry S. Gray, Sandra L. Griffin, Catherine M. O'Reilly, Tania L. Butler, David J. Robinson, and Peter H. Hubach. "The ecology of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in coastal southern Western Australia." Wildlife Research 25, no. 2 (1998): 97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr97066.
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Demographic changes in three free-ranging rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations were monitored over 4 years in southern Western Australia. Peak densities followed periods of high rainfall and pasture biomass. The breeding season was prolonged, often extending from at least April to November, with some pregnancies occurring outside this period. Fecundity, determined by the autopsy of pregnant offsite rabbits and the known length of each breeding season, appeared to be relatively high, with the potential for 34–39 kittens doe-1 year-1; however, because not all females are pregnant in all months, the overall productivity of these populations was estimated at 25–30 kittens adult female-1 year-1. Exponential rates of increase varied from 0.13 to 0.30 during the breeding periods and –0.05 to –0.14 during the nonbreeding season. Kitten survival was generally low whereas some adults lived for more than 5 years. Two patterns of myxomatosis were observed: annual epizootics of the disease (3 of 4 years) and an epidemic that slowly spread over many months. European rabbit fleas were most abundant during winter–spring and attained highest densities on adult female rabbits.
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Ballinger, Andrea, and D. G. Morgan. "Validating two methods for monitoring population size of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)." Wildlife Research 29, no. 5 (2002): 431. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr01055.
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Two methods commonly used to monitor population sizes of the wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are spotlight transect counts and active burrow-entrance counts. The accuracy and precision of these techniques were assessed by comparing monitoring data with population estimates derived from intensive observation of a tagged rabbit population near Melbourne, Australia. Both monitoring methods proved capable of yielding population indices linearly related to population density and robust to seasonal changes in population dynamics. The influence of environmental and temporal variables on rabbit emergence, and hence on spotlight transect data, was also investigated. By using data collected over a wide range of weather conditions, 55% of the variation in evening emergence behaviour of rabbits could be predicted by environmental and temporal factors, with solar time, precipitation, air temperature and wind speed accounting for most of this. However, the precision of spotlight transect count data, which are routinely collected at a fixed time of night under mild weather conditions, was not improved by attempting to correct for the effects of weather and time on emergence; continuing to conduct counts under such conditions was supported as a reliable practice.
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Marín-García, Pablo Jesús, and Lola Llobat. "What Are the Keys to the Adaptive Success of European Wild Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in the Iberian Peninsula?" Animals 11, no. 8 (August 20, 2021): 2453. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11082453.
Full textAbstract:
The European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) plays an important ecological role in the ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula. Recently, rabbit populations have drastically reduced, so the species is now considered endangered. However, in some places, this animal is considered a pest. This is the conservation paradox of the 21st century: the wild rabbit is both an invasive alien and an endangered native species. The authors of this review aimed to understand the keys to the adaptive success of European rabbits, addressing all aspects of their biology in order to provide the keys to the ecological management of this species. Aspects including nutrition, genetics, immunity interactions with the environment, behaviour, and conflict with human activities were reviewed. Ultimately, rabbits are resilient and adaptable. The main adaptations that explain the rabbit’s adaptive success are its nutrition (wide adaptation to food and good nutritional use of caecotrophy), immune system (powerful and developed), and other aspects related to genetics and behaviour. Rabbits’ relationship with humans has led them to colonise other places where they have become pests. Despite these adaptations, populations in native places have been drastically reduced in recent years. Since it serves as a bastion of the Mediterranean ecosystem, a specific conservation program for this species must be carried out. Therefore, a study of the rabbit’s response to diseases and nutrition (especially protein), as well as the interaction between them, is of special interest.
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Peng, Chen, Sherry L. Haller, Masmudur M. Rahman, Grant McFadden, and Stefan Rothenburg. "Myxoma virus M156 is a specific inhibitor of rabbit PKR but contains a loss-of-function mutation in Australian virus isolates." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 113, no. 14 (February 22, 2016): 3855–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1515613113.
Full textAbstract:
Myxoma virus (MYXV) is a rabbit-specific poxvirus, which is highly virulent in European rabbits. The attenuation of MYXV and the increased resistance of rabbits following the release of MYXV in Australia is one of the best-documented examples of host–pathogen coevolution. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the restriction of MYXV infection to rabbits and MYXV attenuation in the field, we have studied the interaction of the MYXV protein M156 with the host antiviral protein kinase R (PKR). In yeast and cell-culture transfection assays, M156 only inhibited rabbit PKR but not PKR from other tested mammalian species. Infection assays with human HeLa PKR knock-down cells, which were stably transfected with human or rabbit PKR, revealed that only human but not rabbit PKR was able to restrict MYXV infection, whereas both PKRs were able to restrict replication of a vaccinia virus (VACV) strain that lacks the PKR inhibitors E3 and K3. Inactivation of M156R led to MYXV virus attenuation in rabbit cells, which was rescued by the ectopic expression of VACV E3 and K3. We further show that a mutation in the M156 encoding gene that was identified in more than 50% of MYXV field isolates from Australia resulted in an M156 variant that lost its ability to inhibit rabbit PKR and led to virus attenuation. The species-specific inhibition of rabbit PKR by M156 and the M156 loss-of-function in Australian MYXV field isolates might thus contribute to the species specificity of MYXV and to the attenuation in the field, respectively.
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Bolet, G., M. Monnerot, C. Arnal, J. Arnold, D. Bell, G. Bergoglio, U. Besenfelder, et al. "A programme for the inventory, characterisation, evaluation, conservation and utilisation of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) genetic resources." Animal Genetic Resources Information 25 (April 1999): 57–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1014233900003461.
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SummaryIn Europe, more than 60 breeds are described by the national associations of rabbit breeders. However, these breeds are scarcely used in the commercial production of rabbit meat in Europe, which is based mainly on commercial strains. A European programme, coordinated by the I. N. R. A., has been initiated to realise the inventory of all these breeds and to evaluate the zootechnical value and the genetic characteristics of some of them. Through the European association of rabbit breeders and the FAO national focal points, all the European countries have been asked to fill out a questionnaire describing their populations of rabbits. A data bank is being set up, which will be included in the FAO (DAD-IS) and EAAP data banks. A sample of 10 breeds has been chosen (Flemish Giant, French Lop, Belgian Hare, Vienna White, Champagne Argente, Thuringer, Fauve de Bourgogne, Chinchilla, Himalayan, British). Their zootechnical value (reproduction, growth and carcass traits) is being evaluated on three experimental farms, in comparison with a control breed. At the same time, their genetic polymorphism and the genetic distances between these 10 breeds are calculated on the basis of microsatellites, mitochondrial DNA, other genetic markers and protein polymorphism. Finally, a bank of frozen embryos from these 10 breeds is being constituted.
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Martínez-Padilla, Anabel, Javier Caballero-Gómez, Ángela Magnet, Félix Gómez-Guillamón, Fernando Izquierdo, Leonor Camacho-Sillero, Saúl Jiménez-Ruiz, Carmen del Águila, and Ignacio García-Bocanegra. "Zoonotic Microsporidia in Wild Lagomorphs in Southern Spain." Animals 10, no. 12 (November 26, 2020): 2218. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani10122218.
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Microsporidia are obligate intracellular protist-like fungal pathogens that infect a broad range of animal species, including humans. This study aimed to assess the presence of zoonotic microsporidia (Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozoon hellem, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi) in organ meats of European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) consumed by humans in Spain. Between July 2015 and December 2018, kidney samples from 383 wild rabbits and kidney and brain tissues from 79 Iberian hares in southern Spain were tested by species-specific PCR for the detection of microsporidia DNA. Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection was confirmed in three wild rabbits (0.8%; 95% CI: 0.0–1.7%) but not in hares (0.0%; 95% CI: 0.0–4.6%), whereas E. intestinalis DNA was found in one wild rabbit (0.3%; 95% CI: 0.0–0.8%) and three Iberian hares (3.8%; 95% CI: 0.0–8.0%). Neither E. hellem nor E. cuniculi infection were detected in the 462 (0.0%; 95% CI: 0.0–0.8%) lagomorphs analyzed. The absence of E. hellem and E. cuniculi infection suggests a low risk of zoonotic foodborne transmission from these wild lagomorph species in southern Spain. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of E. intestinalis infection in wild rabbits and Iberian hares. The presence of E. bieneusi and E. intestinalis in organ meats from wild lagomorphs can be of public health concern. Additional studies are required to determine the real prevalence of these parasites in European wild rabbit and Iberian hare.
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Tsoleridis, Theocharis, Joseph G. Chappell, Elodie Monchatre-Leroy, Gérald Umhang, Mang Shi, Malcolm Bennett, Rachael E. Tarlinton, C. Patrick McClure, Edward C. Holmes, and Jonathan K. Ball. "Discovery and Prevalence of Divergent RNA Viruses in European Field Voles and Rabbits." Viruses 12, no. 1 (December 31, 2019): 47. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v12010047.
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The advent of unbiased metagenomic virus discovery has revolutionized studies of virus biodiversity and evolution. Despite this, our knowledge of the virosphere, including in mammalian species, remains limited. We used unbiased metagenomic sequencing to identify RNA viruses in European field voles and rabbits. Accordingly, we identified a number of novel RNA viruses including astrovirus, rotavirus A, picorna-like virus and a narmovirus (paramyxovirus). In addition, we identified a sobemovirus and a novel luteovirus that likely originated from the rabbit diet. These newly discovered viruses were often divergent from those previously described. The novel astrovirus was most closely related to a virus sampled from the rodent-eating European roller bird (Coracias garrulous). PCR screening revealed that the novel narmovirus in the UK field vole had a prevalence of approximately 4%, and shared common ancestry with other rodent narmoviruses sampled globally. Two novel rotavirus A sequences were detected in a UK field vole and a French rabbit, the latter with a prevalence of 5%. Finally, a highly divergent picorna-like virus found in the gut of the French rabbit virus was only ~35% similar to an arilivirus at the amino acid level, suggesting the presence of a novel viral genus within the Picornaviridae.
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Mutze, Greg, Ron Sinclair, David Peacock, John Kovaliski, and Lorenzo Capucci. "Does a benign calicivirus reduce the effectiveness of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in Australia? Experimental evidence from field releases of RHDV on bait." Wildlife Research 37, no. 4 (2010): 311. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr09162.
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Context. European rabbits are serious environmental and agricultural pests throughout their range in Australia. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) greatly reduced rabbit numbers in arid central Australia but had less impact in cooler, higher-rainfall areas. RHDV-like benign caliciviruses (bCVs) have been implicated in limiting the impact of RHDV in the higher-rainfall regions of Australia and also in Europe. Aims. Experimental releases of RHDV on bait were tested as a means of initiating disease outbreaks. Serological evidence of antibodies to bCVs was examined to determine whether they reduce mortality rates and/or spread of the released RHDV, and how that might influence the effectiveness of future RHDV releases for rabbit management. Methods. Four experimental releases were conducted in high-rainfall and coastal regions of southern Australia. Virus activity was implied from recapture rates and serological changes in marked rabbits, and genetic sequencing of virus recovered from dead rabbits. Changes in rabbit abundance were estimated from spotlight transect counts. Key results. Release of RHDV on bait produced disease outbreaks that challenged almost all animals within the general release area and spread up to 4 km beyond the release sites. Recapture rates were high in marked rabbits that possessed antibodies from previous exposure to RHDV and extremely low amongst rabbits that lacked any detectable antibodies. Rabbits carrying antibodies classified as being due to previous infection with bCVs had recapture rates that were dependent on circulating antibody titre and were ~55% of recapture rates in rabbits with clear antibodies to RHDV. Conclusions. This is the first quantified evidence that antibodies produced against bCVs provide significant protection against RHD outbreaks in field populations of rabbits. Implications. bCVs can greatly reduce the impact of RHDV on wild-rabbit populations in Australia and presumably elsewhere. RHDV can be effectively released on bait although further releases are likely to be of minor or inconsistent benefit for controlling rabbit numbers where bCVs are common.
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Henning, J., P. R. Davies, and J. Meers. "Seropositivity to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in non-target mammals during periods of viral activity in a population of wild rabbits in New Zealand." Wildlife Research 33, no. 4 (2006): 305. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr03061.
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As part of a longitudinal study of the epidemiology of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in New Zealand, serum samples were obtained from trapped feral animals that may have consumed European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) carcasses (non-target species). During a 21-month period when RHDV infection was monitored in a defined wild rabbit population, 16 feral house cats (Felis catus), 11 stoats (Mustela erminea), four ferrets (Mustela furo) and 126 hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) were incidentally captured in the rabbit traps. The proportions of samples that were seropositive to RHDV were 38% for cats, 18% for stoats, 25% for ferrets and 4% for hedgehogs. Seropositive non-target species were trapped in April 2000, in the absence of an overt epidemic of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) in the rabbit population, but evidence of recent infection in rabbits was shown. Seropositive non-target species were found up to 2.5 months before and 1 month after this RHDV activity in wild rabbits was detected. Seropositive predators were also trapped on the site between 1 and 4.5 months after a dramatic RHD epidemic in February 2001. This study has shown that high antibody titres can be found in non-target species when there is no overt evidence of RHDV infection in the rabbit population, although a temporal relationship could not be assessed statistically owning to the small sample sizes. Predators and scavengers might be able to contribute to localised spread of RHDV through their movements.
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Griffiths, David J., Cécile Voisset, Patrick J. W. Venables, and Robin A. Weiss. "Novel Endogenous Retrovirus in Rabbits Previously Reported as Human Retrovirus 5." Journal of Virology 76, no. 14 (July 15, 2002): 7094–102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jvi.76.14.7094-7102.2002.
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ABSTRACT Human retrovirus 5 (HRV-5) represented a fragment of a novel retrovirus sequence identified in human RNA and DNA preparations. In this study, the genome of HRV-5 was cloned and sequenced and integration sites were analyzed. Using PCR and Southern hybridization, we showed that HRV-5 is not integrated into human DNA. A survey of other species revealed that HRV-5 is present in the genomic DNA of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and belongs to an endogenous retrovirus family found in rabbits. The presence of rabbit sequences flanking HRV-5 proviruses in human DNA extracts suggested that rabbit DNA was present in our human extracts, and this was confirmed by PCR analysis that revealed the presence of rabbit mitochondrial DNA sequences in four of five human DNA preparations tested. The origin of the rabbit DNA and HRV-5 in human DNA preparations remains unclear, but laboratory contamination cannot explain the preferential detection of HRV-5 in inflammatory diseases and lymphomas reported previously. This is the first description of a retrovirus genome in rabbits, and sequence analysis shows that it is related to but distinct from A-type retroelements of mice and other rodents. The species distribution of HRV-5 is restricted to rabbits; other species, including other members of the order Lagomorpha, do not contain this sequence. Analysis of HRV-5 expression by Northern hybridization and reverse transcriptase PCR indicates that the virus is transcribed at a low level in many rabbit tissues. In light of these findings we propose that the sequence previously designated HRV-5 should now be denoted RERV-H (for rabbit endogenous retrovirus H).
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Cooke, B. D., and F. Fenner. "Rabbit haemorrhagic disease and the biological control of wild rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, in Australia and New Zealand." Wildlife Research 29, no. 6 (2002): 689. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr02010.
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This review considers the history of the discovery of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and its spread throughout the world in domestic and wild rabbits, which led eventually to its deliberate release into Australia and New Zealand for the control of a major pest, the introduced wild rabbit. The physical and genetic structure of RHDV is now well understood, and its pathogenic effects are also well known. The epidemiology of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) has been clearly documented in the field in European countries, Australia and New Zealand. Since its initial spread through largely naïve populations of wild rabbits it has established a pattern of mainly annual epizootics in most areas. The timing of epizootics is dependent on climatic variables that determine when rabbits reproduce and the appearance of new, susceptible rabbits in the population. The activity of RHDV is also influenced by climatic extremes that presumably affect its persistence and the behaviour of insect vectors, and evidence is growing that pre-existing RHDV-like viruses in some parts of Australia may interact with RHDV, reducing its effectiveness. The timing of epizootics is further modified by the resistance to RHD shown by young rabbits below 5 weeks of age and the presence of protective maternal antibodies that also protect against fatal RHD. RHD has reduced rabbit abundance, particularly in dry regions, but rabbits in cooler, high-rainfall areas have been able to maintain their populations. In Australia and New Zealand, RHD has raised the prospects for managing rabbits in low rainfall areas and brought substantial economic and environmental benefits.