Rabbits In Australia Research Articles

Pindone residues in rabbit tissues: implications for secondary hazard and risk to non-target wildlife

Context Pindone is used to control rabbits in Australia and New Zealand, but the secondary non-target risks presented by pindone-poisoned rabbits are poorly known. Aims We aimed to generate new data on residual concentrations of pindone in poisoned rabbits for use in a review of the secondary poisoning risks posed to non-target animals in New Zealand. Methods Laboratory rabbits were offered pellet bait containing 0.25 g kg–1 pindone in three trials to simulate a range of bait uptake scenarios: single exposure and low or high chronic exposure. Residual pindone concentrations measured in body tissues of laboratory rabbits that had ingested known exposures of pindone were compared with those in wild rabbit carcasses collected after three pindone-baiting operations. Residues in the faeces of some laboratory rabbits were also measured. Key results Highest concentrations of pindone residues were in the liver and fat tissue of poisoned rabbits, with consistently lower concentrations in muscle tissue. A dose–response relationship between pindone exposure and liver residue concentrations was found only at the highest chronic exposures. Rabbit carcasses collected after field-baiting operations had generally higher pindone residue concentrations than did laboratory rabbits that had ingested known lethal amounts of bait. Unmetabolised pindone was excreted in rabbit faeces. Conclusions The occurrence of the highest residual pindone concentrations in rabbit liver was consistent with the known tissue distribution of anticoagulants in mammals; however, the co-occurrence of similar-range pindone concentrations in rabbit fat has not been previously described. Re-ingestion of soft faecal pellets (caecotrophy) in rabbits that have eaten pindone bait may function as a secondary exposure to increase or prolong their oral exposure to pindone. Some rabbits poisoned following field pindone-baiting operations are likely to have consumed well in excess of a lethal amount of bait. Implications Concentrations of residual pindone in fat and liver of poisoned rabbits suggest that secondary poisoning hazard to some non-target predators and scavengers is high. The lack of field-based assessments of the non-target impacts of pindone is a marked information gap that needs to be addressed.

Distribution and prevalence of the Australian non-pathogenic rabbit calicivirus is correlated with rainfall and temperature.

BackgroundAustralia relies heavily on rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) for the biological control of introduced European wild rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus, which are significant economic and environmental pests. An endemic non-pathogenic rabbit calicivirus termed RCV–A1 also occurs in wild rabbits in Australian and provides partial protection against lethal RHDV infection, thus interfering with effective rabbit control. Despite its obvious importance for rabbit population management, little is known about the epidemiology of this benign rabbit calicivirus.MethodsWe determined the continent-wide distribution and prevalence of RCV-A1 by analysing 1,805 serum samples from wild rabbit populations at 78 sites across Australia for the presence of antibodies to RCV-A1 using a serological test that specifically detects RCV-A1 antibodies and does not cross-react with co-occurring RHDV antibodies. We also investigated possible correlation between climate variables and prevalence of RCV-A1 by using generalised linear mixed effect models.ResultsAntibodies to RCV-A1 were predominantly detected in rabbit populations in cool, high rainfall areas of the south-east and south-west of the continent. There was strong support for modelling RCV-A1 prevalence as a function of average annual rainfall and minimum temperature. The best ranked model explained 26% of the model structural deviance. According to this model, distribution and prevalence of RCV-A1 is positively correlated with periods of above average rainfall and negatively correlated with periods of drought.ImplicationsOur statistical model of RCV-A1 prevalence will greatly increase our understanding of RCV-A1 epidemiology and its interaction with RHDV in Australia. By defining the environmental conditions associated with the prevalence of RCV-A1, it also contributes towards understanding the distribution of similar viruses in New Zealand and Europe.

The Australian Public is Still Vulnerable to Emerging Virulent Strains of West Nile Virus.

The mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV) is responsible for outbreaks of viral encephalitis in humans and horses with particularly virulent strains causing recent outbreaks in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North America. In Australia, a strain of WNV, Kunjin (WNVKUN), is endemic in the north and infection with this virus is generally asymptomatic. However, in early 2011, following extensive flooding, an unprecedented outbreak of WNVKUN encephalitis in horses occurred in South-Eastern Australia, resulting in more than 1,000 cases and a mortality of 10–15%. Despite widespread evidence of equine infections, there was only a single mild human case reported during this outbreak. To understand why clinical disease was seen in horses without similar observations in the human population, a serosurvey was conducted using blood donor samples from areas where equine cases were reported to assess level of flavivirus exposure. The seroprevalence to WNVKUN in humans was low before the outbreak (0.7%), and no significant increase was demonstrated after the outbreak period (0.6%). Due to unusual epidemiological features during this outbreak, a serosurvey was also conducted in rabbits, a potential reservoir host. Out of 675 animals, sampled across Australia between April 2011 and November 2012, 86 (12.7%) were seropositive for WNVKUN, with the highest prevalence during February of 2012 (28/145; 19.3%). As this is the first serological survey for WNVKUN in Australian feral rabbits, it remains to be determined whether wild rabbits are able to develop a high enough viremia to actively participate in WNV transmission in Australia. However, they may constitute a sentinel species for arbovirus activity, and this is the focus of on-going studies. Collectively, this study provides little evidence of human exposure to WNVKUN during the 2011 outbreak and indicates that the Australian population remains susceptible to the emergence of virulent strains of WNV.

Increased virulence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus associated with genetic resistance in wild Australian rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The release of myxoma virus (MYXV) and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) in Australia with the aim of controlling overabundant rabbits has provided a unique opportunity to study the initial spread and establishment of emerging pathogens, as well as their co-evolution with their mammalian hosts. In contrast to MYXV, which attenuated shortly after its introduction, rapid attenuation of RHDV has not been observed. By studying the change in virulence of recent field isolates at a single field site we show, for the first time, that RHDV virulence has increased through time, likely because of selection to overcome developing genetic resistance in Australian wild rabbits. High virulence also appears to be favoured as rabbit carcasses, rather than diseased animals, are the likely source of mechanical insect transmission. These findings not only help elucidate the co-evolutionary interaction between rabbits and RHDV, but reveal some of the key factors shaping virulence evolution.

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease: virus persistence and adaptation in Australia

In Australia, the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) has been used since 1996 to reduce numbers of introduced European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) which have a devastating impact on the native Australian environment. RHDV causes regular, short disease outbreaks, but little is known about how the virus persists and survives between epidemics. We examined the initial spread of RHDV to show that even upon its initial spread, the virus circulated continuously on a regional scale rather than persisting at a local population level and that Australian rabbit populations are highly interconnected by virus-carrying flying vectors. Sequencing data obtained from a single rabbit population showed that the viruses that caused an epidemic each year seldom bore close genetic resemblance to those present in previous years. Together, these data suggest that RHDV survives in the Australian environment through its ability to spread amongst rabbit subpopulations. This is consistent with modelling results that indicated that in a large interconnected rabbit meta-population, RHDV should maintain high virulence, cause short, strong disease outbreaks but show low persistence in any given subpopulation. This new epidemiological framework is important for understanding virus–host co-evolution and future disease management options of pest species to secure Australia's remaining natural biodiversity.

Recovery of South Australian rabbit populations from the impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease

Context Recovery of Australian rabbit populations from the impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) contrasts with more prolonged suppression of wild rabbits in Europe, and has been widely discussed in the scientific community, but not yet documented in formal scientific literature. The underlying causes of recovery remain unclear, but resistance to RHDV infection has been reported in laboratory studies of wild-caught rabbits. Aims We document numerical changes in two South Australian wild rabbit populations that were initially suppressed by RHDV, and examine serological data to evaluate several alternative hypotheses for the cause of recovery. Methods Rabbit numbers were assessed from spotlight transect counts and dung mass transects between 1991 and 2011, and age and RHDV antibody sero-prevalence were estimated from rabbits shot in late summer. Key results Rabbit numbers were heavily suppressed by RHDV between 1995 and 2002, then increased 5- to 10-fold between 2003 and 2010. During the period of increase, annual RHDV infection rates remained stable or increased slightly, average age of rabbits remained stable and annual rainfall was below average. Conclusions Rabbit populations recovered but neither avoidance of RHDV infection, gradual accumulation of long-lived RHD-immune rabbits, nor high pasture productivity were contributing factors. This leaves increased annual survival from RHDV infection as the most likely cause of recovery. Implications Previously documented evidence of resistance to RHDV infection may be of little consequence to post-RHD recovery in rabbit numbers, unless the factors that influence the probability of infection also shape the course of infection and affect survival of infected rabbits.

Tracking shifting range margins using geographical centroids of metapopulations weighted by population density

Spatially explicit metapopulation models are being used with increasing frequency to forecast changes in species’ abundance in response to future climate and other environmental changes. However, to date, they have not quantified shifts in the margins of the metapopulation range – an important dynamic for understanding species responses to climate change. Here we describe a method for calculating shifts in a metapopulation's range-margin based on the geographical centroid of spatially distributed patches, where the population abundance of each patch or each landscape grid cell is used to weight its geographical (X–Y) coordinate. We evaluated our approach against a detailed virtual example and two real-world applications (threatened mountain hare in Britain and invasive European rabbits in Australia). We also investigated smoothing techniques to better portray overall trends in range changes through time. These procedures were implemented in a new user-friendly software tool, which can process the output file of the popular RAMAS Metapop software. We develop a scenario analysis to show how our weighted-centroid approach can be used to recommend species management options that are most important to long-term population viability (e.g., to choose between increasing connectivity, habitat quality or translocation) under different demographic scenarios. We show that calculating a smoothed time series of weighted centroids from a spatially explicit metapopulation model provides: (i) a useful way to identify the demographic momentum, or momentum of population shift, of the metapopulation (rather than just spatial aggregation or individual-patch behaviour) of a species through geographic space in response to climate change; and (ii) an informative metric of range movement that complements predictions of change in range area or total population size, and extirpation or founding of patches.

How (and Why) to Eat Invasive Species

The article discusses the consumption of invasive species as a means of eradicating them. An overview of several invasive species the author has served at his restaurant, Miya's Sushi, is presented which includes a soup made from European green crabs, called La Soupe des Mean Greenies, a dish made from cannonball jellyfish and Australian rabbits, called Peanut Butter, and Jelly, and a dish made from feral hogs, called Oinkimo.

The non-pathogenic Australian rabbit calicivirus RCV-A1 provides temporal and partial cross protection to lethal Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus infection which is not dependent on antibody titres

The endemic non-pathogenic Australian rabbit calicivirus RCV-A1 is known to provide some cross protection to lethal infection with the closely related Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV). Despite its obvious negative impacts on viral biocontrol of introduced European rabbits in Australia, little is known about the extent and mechanisms of this cross protection. In this study 46 rabbits from a colony naturally infected with RCV-A1 were exposed to RHDV. Survival rates and survival times did not correlate with titres of serum antibodies specific to RCV-A1 or cross reacting to RHDV, but were instead influenced by the time between infection with the two viruses, demonstrating for the first time that the cross protection to lethal RHDV infection is transient. These findings are an important step towards a better understanding of the complex interactions of co-occurring pathogenic and non-pathogenic lagoviruses.

In situ hybridisation assay for localisation of rabbit calicivirus Australia-1 (RCV-A1) in European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) tissues

Recently, a new lagovirus enzootic in Australian wild rabbits was identified and described as rabbit calicivirus Australia-1 (RCV-A1). Unlike the closely related Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV), which causes fulminant hepatitis and rabbit death, RCV-A1 does not appear to induce any clinical disease. RCV-A1 has been postulated to act as an imperfect natural vaccine to RHDV thus reducing RHDV-induced rabbit mortality, which is detrimental for bio-control of rabbits in Australia. This study was carried out to determine in which cells RCV-A1 replication occurs. An in situ hybridisation (ISH) protocol was developed using a RCV-A1 specific probe to localise the virus in rabbit tissues. The results were compared to those obtained with a quantitative RT-PCR assay that had previously been developed to measure RCV-A1 RNA in rabbit tissues. The histology of the tissues was also examined. ISH showed that virus replication, inferred by the presence of detectable RNA, was limited to a small number of epithelial cells towards the tip of the villi in the duodenum. Quantitative RT-PCR detected RCV-A1 RNA in jejunum, ileum and lymphoid tissue at day 3, 4 and 7 post-infection, but no hybridisation was detected in these tissues.

Family of Man

A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters I-XVIII By Taryn Simon Museum of Modern Art New York City May 2-September 3, 2012 A century after August Sander began his lifelong series of environmental portraits, People of the 201h Century, the nature of documentary fine art photography has evolved into a multifaceted, contextualized genre no longer reliant on traditional photography's unique moment in time. Taryn Simon's project A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters I-XIII, recently on view at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, exemplifies this contemporary approach. Simon's project consists of eighteen chapters (nine of which were on display at MoMA), each focusing on a group of people or animals that are usually connected genetically. Simon spent nearly four years, from 2008 to 2011, traveling throughout the world and photographing these genealogies and interconnected groups, including orphans in the Ukraine, invasive rabbits in Australia, a representative multigenerational family selected by the Chinese government, the descendants of a Nazi administrator, a Kenyan polygamist and practicing medical doctor and his offspring, as well as the families of a living man declared dead by land thieves in India, and the first female hijacker. Simon divides each group into three separately framed components: a grid of individual studio portraits shot against a neutral light brown background; a text panel consisting of brief descriptors for each of the portraits and a summary of the group; and lastly, a panel of ancillary photographs (mainly still lifes and landscapes), which Simon captured while on location making the portraits, and which provide context for the underlying genealogical portrait. In Simon's presentation at MoMA the portraits were small, only about 3 x 5 inches, thereby reducing the importance of any particular individual in favor of the larger whole and contributing to the significance of the accompanying text. The size of the photographs and their sheer quantity encourage the viewer to consider the more apparent connections across the large number of portraits: age, race, hair color, and even absence (Simon chose to leave a blank space for those who declined to or could not be photographed). Simon astutely frames her text to present it as its own panel, centered between the grid of portraits and her more limited selection of ancillary photographs, elevating its importance in the grouping and ensuring that her work is not just about looking. We are forced to read in order to understand the relationships across a group, the history of its interconnectedness, and the contemporary legacy Simon is presenting. In her seminal 1981 essay In, around, and afterthoughts (on documentary photography), feminist artist and writer Martha Rosier asked, How useful are documentary photographs if there is no follow no way of knowing what happened next in the story? (1) In A Living Man Declared Dead, Simon answers this question in two ways: first, in many of her genealogical portraits she is revisiting a public figure of some kind (most of her subjects have been previously portrayed in the news media), essentially following up, in Rosler's words, through the lens of each figure's offspring. Second, she expands upon the individual portraits with the text component and also with the inclusion of more subjective images such as landscapes and still lifes. Often, these latter images include interior or exterior spaces related to the subject, or objects that reinforce the narrative contained in the text. For example, in her series of images about female hijacker Leila K haled, Simon includes a photograph of a fragment of the plane that she hijacked, an image of a painting of Khaled by a Palestinian artist, and an aerial photograph of the city of Hail, which Khaled allegedly Forced the pilot to circle during the hijacking. …

A sensitive and specific blocking ELISA for the detection of rabbit calicivirus RCV-A1 antibodies

BackgroundAntibodies to non-pathogenic rabbit caliciviruses (RCVs) cross-react in serological tests for rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and vice versa, making epidemiological studies very difficult where both viruses occur. It is important to understand the distribution and interaction of the two viruses because the highly pathogenic RHDV has been used as a biocontrol agent for wild rabbits in Australia and New Zealand for the past 17 years. The presence of the benign RCV Australia 1 (RCV-A1) is considered a key factor for the failure of RHDV mediated rabbit control in cooler, wetter areas of Australia.ResultsA highly sensitive and specific blocking ELISA was developed for the detection of RCV-A1 antibodies. When sera from rabbits with a known infection history for either RCV-A1 or RHDV were tested, this assay showed 100% sensitivity and no cross-reactivity with RHDV sera (100% specificity).ConclusionsThis new ELISA not only allows the detection of RCV-A1 at a population level, but also permits the serological status of individual rabbits to be determined more reliably than previously described methods. This robust and simple to perform assay is therefore the tool of choice for studying RCV-A1 epidemiology in Australian wild rabbit populations.

Bunnies, Bilbies, and the Ethic of Ecological Remembrance

Bunnies, Bilbies, and the Ethic of Ecological Remembrance

Changes in Liver Gene Expression Indicate Genetic Pathways Associated with Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Infection in Wild Rabbits

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) is of worldwide significance for both, domestic and wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). While the loss of natural populations of wild rabbits in south-western Europe is of major conservation concern because rabbits are a key-stone species in natural ecosystems, the virus has been successfully used as a biological control of pest rabbits in Australia. However, rabbit numbers in Australia are currently rising again suggesting ongoing host adaptive changes. Accordingly, from both conservation and control perspectives it is important to know how rabbits are adapting and to work towards understanding the underlying genetic basis of this adaptation. Pathogenicity of a viral disease is not only influenced by the pathogen itself but likely also by the host's immune gene expression which is poorly understood for wild animals. Here we used cDNA microarrays to obtain a general picture of the genetic pathways expressed in the liver during acute RHD infections in wild rabbits. We found that typical immune response pathways are activated during RHD but also identified differences in our results from those that might have been anticipated from laboratory studies. The down-regulation of cell surface protein genes in wild rabbits that avoided infection also suggests that the lower expression of certain surface proteins could confer protection from RHDV infection. This study expands our understanding of the molecular mechanisms at the host-pathogen interface during RHDV infection and pathogenesis and constitutes a step towards determination of genetic mechanisms that may eventually prove important in host-pathogen co-evolution under natural conditions.

Serological assays to discriminate rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus from Australian non-pathogenic rabbit calicivirus

Serological cross reactivity between the virulent rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and the closely related but non-pathogenic rabbit calicivirus (RCV) makes it difficult to study the epidemiology of each virus and the interaction between them when both viruses co-circulate in wild rabbit populations. ELISA methods for the diagnosis of RHDV infection are well characterized, but no specific serological tests for RCV have been developed. Following the characterization of Australian non-pathogenic RCV-A1 strains, we used virus-like-particles (VLPs) and anti-RCV-A1 specific antibodies to establish a set of isotype ELISAs for detection of IgG, IgA and IgM in rabbit sera and secretory mucosal IgA in rectal swabs, and two competition ELISAs. These assays were used to discriminate between anti-RCV-A1 and anti-RHDV antibodies in rabbits. The isotype ELISAs were highly sensitive for detection of anti-RCV-A1 antibodies, but varying levels of cross reactivity from anti-RHDV antibodies occurred in the isotype ELISAs and one competition ELISA. However, the second competition ELISA specifically detected antibodies to RCV-A1 and showed no cross reactivity to anti-RHDV sera. These ELISAs provide important tools to monitor RCV-A1 infection when it occurs alone, and to discriminate between RHDV and RCV-A1 infection when they occur in the same rabbit population. When used in parallel with RHDV serology, they could be used to monitor the dynamics of these two closely related but pathogenically distinct viruses in wild and domestic rabbit populations.

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease: are Australian rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) evolving resistance to infection with Czech CAPM 351 RHDV?

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease is a major tool for the management of introduced, wild rabbits in Australia. However, new evidence suggests that rabbits may be developing resistance to the disease. Rabbits sourced from wild populations in central and southeastern Australia, and domestic rabbits for comparison, were experimentally challenged with a low 60 ID50 oral dose of commercially available Czech CAPM 351 virus - the original strain released in Australia. Levels of resistance to infection were generally higher than for unselected domestic rabbits and also differed (0-73% infection rates) between wild populations. Resistance was lower in populations from cooler, wetter regions and also low in arid regions with the highest resistance seen within zones of moderate rainfall. These findings suggest the external influences of non-pathogenic calicivirus in cooler, wetter areas and poor recruitment in arid populations may influence the development rate of resistance in Australia.

Why 0.02%? A review of the basis for current broadscale control of rabbits in New Zealand

Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations in many parts of New Zealand have begun to increase dramatically as the impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease wanes, and aerial poisoning control operations have resumed. Aerial 1080 poisoning of rabbits has historically used high prefeed and toxic bait sowing rates and low toxic loading. We review the extent to which this practice is based on a good mechanistic understanding of the process, or has evolved by trial and error to find a workable and affordable system. Current operational practices appear to have resulted from attempts to provide solutions to poor bait quality and concerns about the welfare of livestock. Current research on 1080 use on rabbits in Australia and possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand suggests that higher toxic loading and decreased sowing rates may be as effective as current practice, but with substantive reductions in the costs associated with control methods and the amount of toxin applied to the environment.

In vivo bone response and interfacial properties of titanium-alloy implant with different designs in rabbit model with time

Using implants for dental applications are well-accepted procedures as one of the solutions for periodontal defect repair. Suitable design and materials, their reaction with the surrounding hard tissues and interfacial biomechanical properties are still considered to be the primary criteria which need to be addressed systematically. In the present study, a thorough and systemic approach was made to identify a suitable implant, considering the above criteria after both in vitro and in vivo animal trials. Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) implants, with thread and without thread models, were implanted to the mid-metaphysial portion of the tibia of the right hind leg of three white Australian Chinchilla rabbit species and their effects and response to the surrounding bone were investigated. Parameters studied included hematological and biochemical features (serum alkaline phosphatase and calcium), both preoperatively and postoperatively, consecutively for 7 days and after 1-3 months. The interfacial integrity and compositional variation along the interface were studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) and histopathology from 1 to 3 months consecutively. Finally, biomechanical properties were studied with the help of push-out test. Bone remineralization started through the process of electro-physiological ionic exchanges, which helps in formation of osteoblastic cells in the area of bony injury. The SEM-EDAX results confirmed the initial stability for the Ti (with thread) implant, but the regeneration of new bone formation was faster in the case of Ti (Without thread) implant, and hence could be used for faster healing. These have also been substantiated through push-out and histopathlogical tests. From the physico-chemical and biomechanical observations, it was found that that smooth type implants were well accepted in the physiological condition although chances of elemental leaching from the surface were also observed. Increase of the surface roughness can help into the formation of physico-chemical bondage with the surrounding hard tissues.

Evolution and phylogeography of the nonpathogenic calicivirus RCV-A1 in wild rabbits in Australia.

Despite its potential importance for the biological control of European rabbits, relatively little is known about the evolution and molecular epidemiology of rabbit calicivirus Australia 1 (RCV-A1). To address this issue we undertook an extensive evolutionary analysis of 36 RCV-A1 samples collected from wild rabbit populations in southeast Australia between 2007 and 2009. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the entire capsid sequence, six clades of RCV-A1 were defined, each exhibiting strong population subdivision. Strikingly, our estimates of the time to the most recent common ancestor of RCV-A1 coincide with the introduction of rabbits to Australia in the mid-19th century. Subsequent divergence events visible in the RCV-A1 phylogenies likely reflect key moments in the history of the European rabbit in Australia, most notably the bottlenecks in rabbit populations induced by the two viral biocontrol agents used on the Australian continent, myxoma virus and rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). RCV-A1 strains therefore exhibit strong phylogeographic separation and may constitute a useful tool to study recent host population dynamics and migration patterns, which in turn could be used to monitor rabbit control in Australia.

Molecular detection of Cryptosporidium cuniculus in rabbits in Australia

In the United Kingdom, rabbits have been reported to harbour genotypes of Cryptosporidium (now recognized as C. cuniculus) identical to those from human patients exhibiting symptoms of cryptosporidiosis. The high density of rabbits in many regions of Australia, including both rural and urban as well as natural water catchments areas, and the absence of any information on Cryptosporidium from lagomorphs in this country stimulated the present study. We undertook an epidemiological study that genetically characterized Cryptosporidium from rabbits from four locations in Victoria by PCR-coupled sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of sequence data for loci within the small subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA (SSU; for specific identification) and the 60kDa glycoprotein gene (gp60; for genotypic/subgenotypic identification). Cryptosporidium was detected in 12 (6.8%) of 176 individual faecal samples. For SSU, all 12 sequences were identical to each other and to that of C. cuniculus. For pgp60, all corresponding sequences matched the known genotype Vb, and were classified as subgenotype VbA23R3 (n=11) and VbA26R4 (n=1), which are both new records. Present evidence indicates that genotype Vb is limited to rabbits; however, it would be premature to conclude that this genotype is not zoonotic. Future studies should focus on the zoonotic potential of C. cuniculus from rabbits and a wide range of yet unstudied animals. (Nucleotide sequences reported in this paper are available in the GenBank database under accession nos. HM852431–HM852433).