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Trend of a population of Wild Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) in relation to Domestic Sheep Ovis aries aries (Linnaeus, 1758) grazing within a small insular protected area
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Siracusa, Agatino Maurizio Petralia, Ettore |
| Copyright Year | 2013 |
| Abstract | The wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Leporidae) if present at high density can cause significant damages to crops and natural vegetation. The aim of this study, carried out from 2002 to 2008 in the Natural Reserve "Complesso Immacolatelle e Micio Conti", in the foothills of Mount Etna, was to investigate the relationship between the wild rabbit and the presence of grazing domestic sheep Ovis aries aries (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Bovidae), considering also the possible synergistic effect of these two herbivores on the natural vegetation in a small protected area. Precipitation during the month of Sep- tember correlated statistically significantly with the density of rabbits. A comparison between the density values obtained during the period under study did not show statistically signifi- cant differences with the exception of 2006 and 2007 when, within the area, was present a flock of sheep (200-250 individuals), free to graze in the reserve. The abundance of rabbits in 2002-2005 and 2008 is equal to 6.97% more than the expected value; in the absence of the grazing sheep flock (2006-2007) instead the population assumed density values signifi- cantly higher than expected. Since grazing of rabbits, especially in summer, is critical for the subsequent composition of herbaceous vegetation, for the purposes of conservation and protection of natural or semi natural environments, especially with a small extension, it is desirable to properly assess and manage the presence of the wild rabbit, especially in areas where it is not original, for the effects it may have on plant communities and populations of arthropods, and to control sheep grazing as well to contain the caused damages. Oryctolagus cuniculus; Ovis aries aries; over grazing; small protected area. |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://www.biodiversityjournal.com/pdf/4(4)_557-564.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
