The Distribution of the Stickfast Fleas, Echidnophaga Myrmecobii Rothschild and E. Perilis Jordan, on the Wild Rabbit, Oryctolagus Cuniculus (L.).

1979 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
RCH Shepherd ◽  
JW Edmonds
Keyword(s):  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Flea Species ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Head Region ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Body Regions

Rabbits were examined for E. myrmecobii and E. perilis. Each skin was divided into several regions. E. myrmecobii were found on the head and body regions and E. perilis on the forepaws and hind feet, irrespective of the sex and age of the host. E. perilis were also found on the scrota1 region of breeding bucks. The numbers of each species of flea per rabbit built up through the summer and autumn months to peak in March. The seasonal patterns of increase and decrease were generally similar for each flea species. There were always more female than male fleas. The female : male ratios were lowest when flea numbers were high. Female E. myrmecobii were more commonly found on the head region of both male and female rabbits, whereas female E. perilis were more common on the hind feet of rabbits. Female rabbits were more heavily infested by both E. myrmecobii and E. perilis than were males.

scholarly journals The differential transmissibility of myxoma virus strains of differing virulence grades by the rabbit flea Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale)

1975 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Mead-Briggs ◽  
J. A. Vaughan
Keyword(s):  
Host Resistance ◽  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Myxoma Virus ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Virus Strains ◽  
Sampling Times

SUMMARYLaboratory studies showed that few rabbit fleas (Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale)) transmitted myxomatosis after removal from wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus (L)) that had been infected for fewer than 10–12 days, irrespective of the virulence of the myxoma virus strain involved. Rabbits infected with fully virulent (Grade I) strains died within 10–15 days and few fleas from these hosts became infective; averaging all the samples taken, 12% of the fleas were infective. Also, few fleas acquired infectivity on individual rabbits which recovered from infection with attenuated strains; the mean was 8% infective. Rabbits which died between 17 and 44 days after infection had higher proportions of infective fleas at all sampling times; the mean was 42% infective. Male and female fleas transmitted virus with equal efficiency.For rabbits infected with any of the attenuated virus strains the mean percentage of infective fleas was inversely related to the survival time of the host. Rabbits infected with moderately attenuated strains (Grades IIIA and IIIB) had, on average, the highest proportion of infective fleas; hence such strains have a selective advantage and have become predominant under natural conditions in Britain. The changes that might occur if there is an increase in host resistance to myxomatosis are discussed.

Observations upon some common cestode parasites of the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus

Parasitology ◽  
1940 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. M. R. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuations ◽  
Image Position ◽  
First Time

1. Between November 1936 and February 1937, ninety-six rabbits were examined, whilst between August 1937 and July 1938, 446 rabbits were examined for cestode parasites. The rabbits were obtained from the same area.2. The rabbits were infected with the following cestodes to the extent given, for the two periods respectively:3. Two species of the genus Hymenolepis are recorded for the first time from the rabbit, and they are briefly described.4. The seasonal fluctuations in the incidence of the above cestodes are discussed.5. The span of life of both Cittotaenia pectinata and C. denticulata is seen to be not greater than 10 months, and evidence is given to show that the intermediate host of C. denticulata is available between April and December, and that of C. pectinata from August to April.6. Evidence of host and age resistance is demonstrated in Cysticercus pisiformis.

A Comparison of Spontaneous and Odor-induced Chin Marking in Male and Female Domestic Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus domestica)

Ethology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 103 (11) ◽  
pp. 893-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita Martínez-Gómez ◽  
Madai Guarneros ◽  
René Zempoalteca ◽  
Robyn Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Domestic Rabbits

scholarly journals PCR Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in European Wild Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from Portugal

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1926
Author(s):  
Catarina Coelho ◽  
Madalena Vieira-Pinto ◽  
Anabela Vilares ◽  
Maria João Gargaté ◽  
Manuela Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Zoonotic Parasite ◽  
Central Portugal ◽  
Sag2 Gene ◽  
Rabbit Meat ◽  
Meat Samples

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.

Influence of host weight, sex and reproductive status on helminth parasites of the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, in Navarra, Spain

1999 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Molina ◽  
J.C. Casanova ◽  
C. Feliu
Keyword(s):  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Reproductive Status ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Mean Intensity ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Testicular Weight ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Reproductive Females

A study was carried out in Navarra (northern Spain) on the influence of the weight, sex and reproductive status (lactant, pregnant or lactant + pregnant females and testicular weight for males) of the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on two cestodes species: Andrya cuniculi and Mosgovoyia ctenoides and four intestinal nematodes: Graphidium strigosum, Trichostrongylus retortaeformis, Nematodiroides zembrae and Dermatoxys hispaniensis. A significantly higher prevalence of A. cuniculi was detected in lactant + pregnant females compared with non-breeding females. Trichostrongylus retortaeformis and N. zembrae showed a significantly higher mean intensity in lactant and lactant + pregnant females than in non-reproductive females. Trichostrongylus retortaeformis presented a higher mean intensity in females than in males, and the mean intensity of the same parasite species was significantly lower in active and inactive males compared with lactant and lactant + pregnant females. There were no significant differences between sexes in the prevalence of helminth parasites. No significant correlation was detected between host weight and the intensity (of infection) of helminths studied. No significant differences in the prevalence and mean intensity of the two cestode species were observed in the three weight categories studied (kittens, juveniles and adults). The prevalence of G. strigosum and mean intensity of T. retortaeformis were significantly higher in older heavier animals than in juveniles.

Selection of antigens for use in a virus-vectored immunocontraceptive vaccine: PH-20 as a case study

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael K. Holland ◽  
Jason Andrews ◽  
Hannah Clarke ◽  
Clayton Walton ◽  
Lyn A. Hinds
Keyword(s):  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Myxoma Virus ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Overall Efficiency ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Sperm Antigen

The European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has become the major agricultural and environmental pest species in Australia. Current methods of rabbit control are lethal procedures which are increasingly questioned for their overall efficiency, applicability, specificity, cost and humaneness. New initiatives are required. One such initiative is virus-vectored immunocontraception. In this approach, the lagomorph-specific myxoma virus will be genetically engineered to include genes encoding components of rabbit gametes which can induce an immune response that causes infertility. Central to such a strategy is the ability to identify antigens capable of inducing an immunocontraceptive response. A strategy for identifying such antigens has been described previously. A case study of one sperm antigen, PH-20, is reported here. The issues involved in developing this antigen to the stage where it could be considered as a candidate for insertion into a recombinant myxoma virus with the ultimate goal of testing for immunocontraceptive efficacy are discussed. Techniques for inserting genes into myxoma virus have been described previously. The knowledge gained from research with this particular antigen are broadly applicable to other antigens used for both immunocontraceptive vaccines in general and, specifically, for virus-vectored immunocontraception.

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