Aspects of the biology of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in coastal eastern Australia

B J Richardson; S Phillips; R Andrew Hayes; S Sindhe; B D Cooke

doi:10.1071/WR06117

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Aspects of the biology of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in coastal eastern Australia

Journal article

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Aspects of the biology of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in coastal eastern Australia

B J Richardson, S Phillips, R Andrew Hayes, S Sindhe and B D Cooke

Wildlife Research, Vol.34(5), pp.398-407

2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/WR06117

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Abstract

Environmental Sciences

Biological Sciences

wild rabbits

RHDV

A population of wild rabbits in a high-rainfall area near Sydney, New South Wales, was studied for 8 years to investigate the population biology of the rabbit in a high-rainfall area, to examine factors affecting the length of the breeding season, and to describe the biology of RHDV and a RHDV-like virus in the population. The breeding season was short, starting in June and ending in October, though some conceptions occurred in every month of the year. Supplementary feeding with grain, germinated wheat or high-protein rabbit pellets did not extend the breeding season, so predictions that the length of the breeding season and occurrence of anaemia were influenced by a lack of protein in the diet were not upheld. Myxomatosis appeared in late summer each year as in inland southern Australia. Studies of the immunostatus of the population showed that, even in the years before RHDV was released in Australia, 80-100% of adult animals were seropositive when tested with ELISA specifically designed to detect antibodies to RHDV, arguably owing to the presence of a RHDV-like virus. The proportion of seropositive animals fell when annual rainfall was below 600 mm and rose when it was above 700 mm. Presumably, in areas where rainfall is usually low the proportion of the population infected with the putative RHDV-like virus would slowly drop to a low level, providing a possible basis for the different epidemiological patterns found for RHDV in different parts of Australia.

Details

Title: Aspects of the biology of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in coastal eastern Australia
Authors: B J Richardson (Author) - University of Western Sydney
S Phillips (Author) - University of Western Sydney
R Andrew Hayes (Author) - University of Western Sydney
S Sindhe (Author) - University of Western Sydney
B D Cooke (Author) - University of Western Sydney
Publication details: Wildlife Research, Vol.34(5), pp.398-407
Publisher: C S I R O Publishing
Date published: 2007
DOI: 10.1071/WR06117
ISSN: 1035-3712
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Industries Research Centre; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449194202621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Ecology; Zoology

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