Historical ecology and current status of the European hare Lepus europaeus in South America: a new species in new countries

Abstract

ABSTRACT With a historical perspective, I reviewed the peer-reviewed scientific literature (and some gray literature, as needed) on European hare (Lepus europaeus) in the six countries already invaded by it: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. I covered the following topics: (a) Introduction, spread, and current distribution; (b) Life history, reproduction, and population dynamics; (c) Interactions with predators other than humans; (d) Interactions with scavengers; (e) Interactions with plants and herbivorous competitors; (f) Interactions with parasites and diseases; (g) Interactions with humans, including hunting, exports, and interference. Notoriously missing is the coverage of hare genetics and population dynamics and modeling. Another eyesore is the lack of an ecosystem approach to this invader, including not only biological aspects but the social-economic and cultural contexts that harbors it.