What Are the Keys to the Adaptive Success of European Wild Rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) in the Iberian Peninsula?
The European wild rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) plays an important ecological role in the ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula. Recently, rabbit populations have drastically reduced, so the species is now considered endangered. However, in some places, this animal is considered a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/8/2453 |
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| author | Pablo Jesús Marín-García Lola Llobat |
| author_facet | Pablo Jesús Marín-García Lola Llobat |
| author_sort | Pablo Jesús Marín-García |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The European wild rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) plays an important ecological role in the ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula. Recently, rabbit populations have drastically reduced, so the species is now considered endangered. However, in some places, this animal is considered a pest. This is the conservation paradox of the 21st century: the wild rabbit is both an invasive alien and an endangered native species. The authors of this review aimed to understand the keys to the adaptive success of European rabbits, addressing all aspects of their biology in order to provide the keys to the ecological management of this species. Aspects including nutrition, genetics, immunity interactions with the environment, behaviour, and conflict with human activities were reviewed. Ultimately, rabbits are resilient and adaptable. The main adaptations that explain the rabbit’s adaptive success are its nutrition (wide adaptation to food and good nutritional use of caecotrophy), immune system (powerful and developed), and other aspects related to genetics and behaviour. Rabbits’ relationship with humans has led them to colonise other places where they have become pests. Despite these adaptations, populations in native places have been drastically reduced in recent years. Since it serves as a bastion of the Mediterranean ecosystem, a specific conservation program for this species must be carried out. Therefore, a study of the rabbit’s response to diseases and nutrition (especially protein), as well as the interaction between them, is of special interest. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:04:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8a3cee158c314d738ab90bf3a2286270 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:04:26Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-8a3cee158c314d738ab90bf3a22862702023-11-22T06:32:23ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-08-01118245310.3390/ani11082453What Are the Keys to the Adaptive Success of European Wild Rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) in the Iberian Peninsula?Pablo Jesús Marín-García0Lola Llobat1Institute for Animal Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, SpainDepartment of Animal Production and Health, Veterinary Public Health and Food Science and Technology (PASAPTA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46113 Valencia, SpainThe European wild rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) plays an important ecological role in the ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula. Recently, rabbit populations have drastically reduced, so the species is now considered endangered. However, in some places, this animal is considered a pest. This is the conservation paradox of the 21st century: the wild rabbit is both an invasive alien and an endangered native species. The authors of this review aimed to understand the keys to the adaptive success of European rabbits, addressing all aspects of their biology in order to provide the keys to the ecological management of this species. Aspects including nutrition, genetics, immunity interactions with the environment, behaviour, and conflict with human activities were reviewed. Ultimately, rabbits are resilient and adaptable. The main adaptations that explain the rabbit’s adaptive success are its nutrition (wide adaptation to food and good nutritional use of caecotrophy), immune system (powerful and developed), and other aspects related to genetics and behaviour. Rabbits’ relationship with humans has led them to colonise other places where they have become pests. Despite these adaptations, populations in native places have been drastically reduced in recent years. Since it serves as a bastion of the Mediterranean ecosystem, a specific conservation program for this species must be carried out. Therefore, a study of the rabbit’s response to diseases and nutrition (especially protein), as well as the interaction between them, is of special interest.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/8/2453rabbitalienendangeredpreservationecosystem |
| spellingShingle | Pablo Jesús Marín-García Lola Llobat What Are the Keys to the Adaptive Success of European Wild Rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) in the Iberian Peninsula? Animals rabbit alien endangered preservation ecosystem |
| title | What Are the Keys to the Adaptive Success of European Wild Rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) in the Iberian Peninsula? |
| title_full | What Are the Keys to the Adaptive Success of European Wild Rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) in the Iberian Peninsula? |
| title_fullStr | What Are the Keys to the Adaptive Success of European Wild Rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) in the Iberian Peninsula? |
| title_full_unstemmed | What Are the Keys to the Adaptive Success of European Wild Rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) in the Iberian Peninsula? |
| title_short | What Are the Keys to the Adaptive Success of European Wild Rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) in the Iberian Peninsula? |
| title_sort | what are the keys to the adaptive success of european wild rabbit i oryctolagus cuniculus i in the iberian peninsula |
| topic | rabbit alien endangered preservation ecosystem |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/8/2453 |
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