Role of Predators, Terrain Ruggedness, and Plant Composition for the Abundance of the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus)

Abstract

We studied factors that affect the abundance of feces of the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagusfloridanus) in an ecological reserve in Mexico City. We measured the abundance of fecal pellets as an estimator of cottontail abundance, as well as different factors that may affect their abundance: predator presence, terrain ruggedness, soil depth, and plant cover. We found that predator presence was the most important factor reducing the abundance of cottontails, whereas terrain ruggedness was the second most important because the cottontail cannot climb effectively. Plants were less significant than expected but Manfreda scabra had a substantial positive effect on cottontail abundance.