The distribution and abundance of the ectoparasites of the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), in New South Wales, Australia

Parasitology ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. T. Williams

In the winters of 1969 and 1970 a total of 64 rabbits was shot at 11 sites covering diverse climatic regions in the western, central and eastern districts of New South Wales. The ectoparasites of these rabbits were identified and counted. The flea Echidnophaga myrmecobii was most frequently found in western districts; the louse Haemadipsus ventricosus was prevalent in the central districts; the mite Listrophorus gibbus was very abundant on rabbits from the eastern districts, whilst the mite Cheyletiella parasitivorax was prevalent on rabbits from central and eastern districts.The probable consequences of these variations are discussed in relation to their possible effects on the epidemiology of myxomatosis.This investigation was carried out as part of the study of the biology of the wild rabbit undertaken by the Division of Wildlife Research, CSIRO, under the general supervision of Mr K. Myers. The author is indebted to P. Haycock and Miss S. Stephens for invaluable technical assistance. Messrs I. Parer, M. Stranger, G. Richards, H. Bults, J. Libke and P. Haycock shot the rabbit samples.

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Molsher ◽  
Alan Newsome ◽  
Chris Dickman

The diet of feral cats (Felis catus) was studied at Lake Burrendong, central-eastern New South Wales, from July 1994 to June 1997. Mammals were the major prey in 499 scats that were analysed. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were the staple prey, while carrion was an important secondary food. Invertebrates, other mammalian prey, vegetation, birds and reptiles were generally minor components of the diet. Few significant seasonal differences in diet were found; however, invertebrates contributed less and possums more to the diet in winter and summer respectively. A significant dietary response was found to changes in rabbit abundance, but not for the other prey types. Cats continued to prey heavily on rabbits even after a 90% decline in rabbit abundance occurred, which coincided with the advent of Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD). House mice (Mus domesticus) increased in importance in the diet ten months post-RCD. Although the abundance of cats was correlated with the abundance of some prey species, other factors may have influenced the observed patterns; these are discussed.


1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 315 ◽  
Author(s):  
JC Mcilroy ◽  
EJ Gifford

Populations of non-target birds and mammals on a semi-cleared grazing property near Braidwood, New South Wales, did not appear to be affected by a trail-baiting campaign against rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, using pellet bait and 1080 poison. Rabbit numbers were reduced by about 90% and those of the fox, Vulpes vulpes, another exotic pest, by about 75%. Populations of both pest species began recovering soon after the campaign, indicating the need for continued control measures.


1986 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 150 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Parer ◽  
BS Parker

Warren destruction by ripping reduced the number of warrens on a property in western New South Wales to a very low level. After the cessation of ripping the number of warrens remained low for three years. In the following years rainfall was above average and during this period the number of warrens increased considerably.


1995 ◽  
Vol 163 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer K Peat ◽  
Brett G Toelle ◽  
Elizabeth J Gray ◽  
Michelle M Haby ◽  
Elena Belousova ◽  
...  

1993 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
IW Lugton

The diets of 212 foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the far south-west of New South Wales were determined between 1985 and 1989 and compared with other Australian studies. Mammalian remains, at an overall occurrence of 99.1%, formed the basis of the diet during the autumn and winter months. The most frequently occurring mammals were rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) (34.9%), sheep (Ovis aries) (30.7%) and macropods (Macropus spp.) (20.3%). Insects occurred in 31.1% of stomachs and formed a substantial proportion of the diet. Fresh newborn lamb was identified in only 3.8% of all stomachs, but evidence of lamb consumption was 10 times greater (35.2%) from foxes collected near lambing flocks. Other studies around lambing flocks have also shown a high occurrence of fresh lamb in fox stomachs and there is circumstantial evidence that predation of lambs by foxes can be common. It was concluded that lamb predation is likely to be severe where the fox population density is high, where older foxes predominate, and where alternative preferred foods are scarce. More research is required to confirm these observations.


1982 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 427 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Parer

In a natural population of rabbits, studied for 5 years, 307 dispersal movements by young rabbits were detected. Most movements occurred at the beginning of summer and more males moved than females. With the exception of one year there was no significant relationship between the ages of dispersing rabbits and the distances moved. Three rabbits, less than 1 month old, moved more than 1500 m. During a drought year the orientation of the movements was towards Lake Urana. Adult rabbits rarely changed warrens.


1968 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Stodart

A total of 2881 rabbits were shot during 1962-64 in regular samples from four sites representing different climatic regions in eastern Australia. Samples of the faeces were examined for coccidial oocysts. Seven species of Eimeria (E. stiedae, E. media, E. perforans, E. irresidua, E. magna, E. piriformis, and E. exigua) were recorded. Dried lens weight and paunched (eviscerated) body weight of the rabbits were used as estimates of age. A decrease in oocyst output with increasing age of the rabbit was apparent when progeny of particular breeding seasons were followed and when all data were grouped together at the subalpine site. Linear regression analysis showed that the decrease was greatest at the subalpine site, where the young had high oocyst counts, less in the subtropical and Mediterranean climates, and virtually absent at the arid site. The rate of the decrease varied between species; it was greatest for E. magna and was slight and variable in occurrence for E. piriformis. Adult rabbits transported from the arid site to infected pasture in Canberra were found from 1 to 10 weeks after release to have an oocyst count comparable to that of young rabbits at the subalpine site. Cage-reared progeny of the rabbits from the arid site were more susceptible to accidental infection than cage-reared progeny of rabbits from the temperate southern tablelands of New South Wales.


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