Control of Rabbits on Macquarie Island by Myxomatosis.

Abstract

Myxomatosis was successfully introduced into the rabbit population on Macquarie Island, Australia, in November 1978 as a biological control agent. Up to February 1981, success had not been achieved over the whole island, primarily because of the irregular distribution of Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale) (the introduction of which had begun in 1968) and the occurrence of rabbits in isolated and sedentary pockets. Continuing the introduction of the virus and vector should extend the control and permit the recovery of important subantarctic plant alliances.