Iberian Hare Lepus Granatensis Research Articles

Survival, spatial behaviour and resting place selection of translocated Iberian hares Lepus granatensis in Northwestern Spain

Translocation of game species is a widespread tool for hunting and conservation, but for some species there is a lack of information, being this the case for the Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis). We studied the survival and spatial behaviour of 12 wild Iberian hares translocated in Northwestern Spain, in a hunting ground with a combination of arable land, vineyards and other habitats where game management and hare coursing were conducted. The average hare survival time was 102 days, with adults showing higher survival than juveniles, the overall survival probability being reduced during the hunting season. Presumed predation was the most important cause of death (ranging 45–77% of causalities), and 23% of hares were hunted. Hares showed a higher resting place selection at daytime for arable land, selecting however to settle in areas with a combination of habitats. The average core area considering all animals (MCP 50%) was 7.4 ha and the home range (MCP 95%) was 27 ha, and males showed significant higher values of home range compared to females. When compared to previous studies on wild hares, the survival of translocated hares in the present study was in general lower but there were similarities on spatial behaviour, and hunting was considered a major factor driving survival and spatial behaviour.

Survival, home range patterns, probable causes of mortality, and den-site selection of the Iberian hare (Lepus, Leporidae, Mammalia) on arable farmland in north-west Spain

Although the Iberian hare is important to Spanish ecosystems and a valued game species, little is known about the survival and spatial behaviour of the species, which are crucial for correct management decisions. This paper studies the survival, home range, probable causes of mortality and den-site selection for 23 wild Iberian hares Lepus granatensis. We used radio telemetry to monitor hares on arable farmland in north-west Spain where habitat management measures were taken, control of predators was carried out and hunting was not allowed. Survival for the period studied (300 days) was 13% and average home range size (MCP 95%) was 39.6 ha. Probable causes of death included predation by wild canids (52%), disease (13%), roadkills (9%), and unknown (26%) for hares we studied. The red fox Vulpes vulpes was the main predator, whereas no raptor predation was reported. Den-site selection was affected by habitat type and hares showed a high preference for uncultivated land. Home range size tended to decrease when hares selected uncultivated land, grassland and lucerne, which were transition zones between shrubland, forest, and cultivated lands.

Heavy flooding effects on home range and habitat selection of free-ranging Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) in Doñana National Park (SW Spain)

The Iberian hare Lepus granatensis is a common and abundant species throughout the Iberian Peninsula; however, studies documenting its ecology are scarce. Between August 1996 and September 1997, after a long drought, we studied the effects of a widespread flood on the Iberian hare ecology in ecotone pastures of Donana National Park. Hares were captured using vertical nets through part of 1996 and 1997. Fourteen adult hares (nine females and five males) were tagged with radiocollars and located by triangulation on a daily basis at least once a week. Habitat use was estimated using a geographical information system. The average home range size was 28 ha for males and 24 ha for females. No significant differences were observed between sexes. Significant differences were observed in the use of scrub areas and in dry pastures. During the dry and wet seasons, males and females were most often located in the pastures of the ecotone, rush stands and scrub. The dense bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) and seaside bulrush (Scirpus maritimus) communities were avoided. These results are the first on the spatial ecology of this species in its native habitat.

Modelling habitat use by Iberian hare Lepus granatensis and European wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus in a mountainous area in northwestern Spain

We developed broad-scale habitat use models for the distribution of the Iberian hare Lepus granatensis Rosenhaeur, 1856 and the relative abundance of the European wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) in a mountainous area in north-western Spain, the Baixa Limia Site of Community Importance (SCI). For the Iberian hare, the most parsimonious model included average altitude, average slope, scrub-pasture area and length of border between scrublands and forests. Four variables were consequential, 2 of them with a positive sign for the presence of the hare (average altitude and scrubland area) and 2 with a negative one (average slope and length of border between scrubland and forest). For the European wild rabbit the most parsimonious General Linear model obtained included average altitude and scrub-forest edge. Only 2 predictors were consequential, both with a negative sign on the relative abundance of wild rabbits: the average altitude and length of border between scrubland and forest. The models obtained indicated the need of management actions to favour open habitats with suitable vegetation structure, avoiding extensive reforestation. A revision of the current hunting plans in the protected area of Baixa Limia is required.

Reproduction parameters of the Iberian hare Lepus granatensis at the edge of its range

AbstractIn order to provide a basis for the sustainable exploitation of the heavily hunted Iberian hare Lepus granatensis, we compared its reproductive parameters at the northern edge of its range, where it occurs at low densities, with those reported in other studies elsewhere within the species' range. Monthly samples totalling 212 Iberian hares (104 males and 108 females) were collected in the province of Navarra during November 2001 ‐ December 2002. Reproductive parameters varied only slightly from season to season. Sexually competent males, defined by the presence of epididymal spermatozoa, were present in all bimonthly periods. Reproductively active adult females were also present in all the bimonthly periods, although a slight seasonality was detected: the highest incidence of pregnancy and lactation (100%) occurred in March‐April, while the lowest incidence of adult females that were neither pregnant nor lactating (15%) occurred in September‐December. Mean annual litter size was 2.09 and the theoretical value of annual young production per female was estimated to be 16.1, which is much higher than estimates reported in studies of L. granatensis in Portugal and southern Spain. In Navarra, which is at the northern limit of the species' range, densities are low due to intense hunting. However, the observed reproductive potential was surprisingly high and facilitates recruitment to the population which could, to a certain extent, make up for the high hunting pressure in the area.

Population parameters and reproductive biology of the Iberian hareLepus granatensis in southern Iberia

To analyse the population structure and reproductive biology of the Iberian hareLepus granatensis Rosenhauer, 1856, 498 hares (264 males and 234 females) were collected in monthly samples from October 1998 to September 1999. Females reached larger sizes than males, with approximately 400 g difference in body mass on reaching sexual maturity. The total sex ratio was 1∶1, with a bias in favour of males in winter. Sexually active males and females appeared in every month but August, when no sexually active female was found. Births occurred in every month and were more frequent between March and July. Seasonal variation in kidney fat index (KFI) followed a similar pattern in males and females, with an increase in mid-autumn and a decline at the end of winter. Reproductive activity appeared in every month, with a maximum from February to June. Reproductively hyperactive females (simultaneously pregnant and nursing) appeared in every month except in January, with a first peak in March and a second lower peak in May–June. Litter size fluctuated between 1 and 7 leverets. The most frequent gestations involved 1 or 2 foetuses. The mean annual litter size was 2.08 and the average number of litters per productive female per year was estimated to be 3.48. The maximum productivity was recorded between March and May. The total annual production of young per adult female was estimated to be 7.21. The minimum annual survival rate of young was 27.91%. On the basis of these results we propose to maintain the limit of the hunting period between October and December. We discuss the relationship between the low young/adult ratio obtained and the hunting method used.