Factors affecting population density in the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), and their relevance to small mammals

1977 ◽  
pp. 33-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Gibb
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
In The Wild

scholarly journals Seasonality of Coxiella burnetii among Wild Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the Hyalomma lusitanicum (Acari: Ixodidae) in a Meso-Mediterranean Ecosystem

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
María Sánchez ◽  
Félix Valcárcel ◽  
Julia González ◽  
Marta G. González ◽  
Raquel Martín-Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Mediterranean Ecosystem ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Sylvatic Cycle ◽  
Almost Everywhere ◽  
In The Wild

(1) Background: Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii that have cases reported in humans and animals almost everywhere. The aim of this study was to describe the seasonality of Coxiella burnetii in the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the tick Hyalomma lusitanicum in a meso-Mediterranean ecosystem. (2) Methods: two populations of wild rabbits that differ in whether or not they share habitat with ungulates, mainly red deer (Cervus elaphus) were sampled for a year to collect ticks, blood and vaginal or anal swabs. Presence of C. burnetii DNA in swabs and the tick H. lusitanicum was determined by PCR and serum antibodies by ELISA. (3) Results: C. burnetii DNA was detected in 47.2% of 583 rabbits, in 65.5% of sera, and in more than half of the H. lusitanicum. There were small variations according to sex and age of the rabbits but significant according to the habitat (4) Conclusions: The results indicate that C. burnetii circulates freely between wild rabbits and H. lusitanicum and the sylvatic cycle in meso-Mediterranean environments relies in the presence of wild rabbits and H. lusitanicum above all if sharing habitat with red deer.

A study of the biology of the Wild Rabbt, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L) in confined populations. 3. Reproduction.

1962 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Myers ◽  
WE Poole
Keyword(s):  
Annual Cycle ◽  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Seasonal Breeding ◽  
Apparent Relationship ◽  
Minor Peak ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
A Minor

Evidence is presented for a reproductive cycle in the confined wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) ) at Albury. Females become sexually attractive and mate at intervals of 7 days or multiples of 7 days. The cycle appears to continue on into pregnancy, and is not interrupted by resorptions. With increase in density, fecundity decreases. There is an increase in the rate of resorption and an apparent suppression of oestrous behaviour, resulting in a lower number of young born per female. Resorption varies seasonally, with the highest litter loss occuring during winter. There is no apparent relationship between dominance per se and fertility. There is an obvious relationship between age and fertility. Older females have larger and more litters than younger females. There is no apparent direct relationship between dominance and rate of resorption. Resorption decreases with age. Young dominant females resorb at the same high rate as, and produce similarly to, the rest of their age group. Litter size increases from approximately 4.0 at the beginning of the season to about 6.0 at the end. There is no relationship between length of period of gestation and either age or size of litter. The incidence of seasonal breeding in the wild rabbit is explained by postulating an annual cycle in male fertility correlated with the solar cycle, with a single peak in spring, and a bimodal annual cycle in female fertility with a minor peak in the autumn and a major peak in the spring. These cycles are greatly affected by nutritional changes in pastures under varying rainfall and climatic regimes.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document