The paradox of endangered European rabbits regarded as pests on the Iberian Peninsula: trends in subspecies matter

Ph Vaquerizas,V Piorno,F Castro,B Arroyo,R Villafuerte,M Delibes-Mateos

doi:10.3354/esr01058

Abstract

The European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus faces a paradoxical situation in its native range on the Iberian Peninsula. While many populations have declined sharply due to a new variant of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV-b), others remain healthy. The latter populations, which flourish mostly on farmland, cause significant crop damage. We explored if this difference could be related to the existence of the 2 rabbit subspecies (O. c. algirus and O. c. cuniculus) that coexist allopatrically on the Iberian Peninsula. Potential differences in population trends between rabbit subspecies may also be relevant in assisting the conservation of endangered rabbit-dependent predators which mainly occur in the distribution area of O. c. algirus. To test this, we assessed rabbit trends after the outbreak of RHDV-b by an online questionnaire to the senior administrative officers of all provincial official game departments throughout peninsular Spain (n = 47). A generalized negative trend was reported by officers in the distribution area of O. c. algirus, while a more stable or even positive trend was reported in the distribution area of O. c. cuniculus. We point to the need for establishing a long-term rabbit population monitoring programme on the Iberian Peninsula to further confirm the observed patterns, but also to contribute to evidence-based management decision-making. Our results suggest a need to apply different management systems for each rabbit subspecies.

Highlights

A variety of factors such as environment, competition and disease affect the dynamics of animal populations
Most officers (75.9%, 22 out of 29) in the Oryctolagus cuniculus cuniculus distribution area considered that rabbit populations were stable or had increased since the initial RHDV-b outbreak in 2011
In the distribution area of O. c. algirus, all officers (n = 10) responded that rabbits had declined after the initial RHDV-b outbreak, with 70% considering that declines were marked (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

A variety of factors such as environment, competition and disease affect the dynamics of animal populations. We explored whether the population trends of the 2 known subspecies of the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Using questionnaires throughout all provinces in peninsular Spain, we assessed whether recorded population trends differ in areas where each rabbit subspecies is found, as well as in the contact zone between both.

Results

Conclusion