A study on the weight of odoriferous and other glands in relation to the social status and degree of sexual activity in the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.)

Abstract

For the Australian wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), in experimental enclosures, the weights of submandibular, anal, inguinal, Harder's, lachrymal, and thyroid glands were analysed statistically in relation to density of population, sex, sexual activity, social status, and weight of the rabbits. A statistically significant correlation between the sexual activity of males and the weight of their anal, iguinal, and submandibular glands was demonstrated. The same correlation could not be demonstrated for Harder's and thyroid glands. There were no differences in gland weights in females between populations of different densities, but in males the inguinal and submandibular glands were significantly heavier in low-density populations. A highly significant linear relationship between social status of male rabbits and the weight of their anal and inguinal glands was found. There was a less significant relationship in the case of Harder's and thyroid glands and none in the lachrymal. A linear relationship was not demonstrated for the submandibular gland but there was a difference between the dominant males and the rest. In females the weights of anal and inguinal glands were very significantly correlated with the social status of individuals. In the case of all other glands there was no correlation with social status. Social status was significantly correlated with body weight in males but not in females. There were statistically significant differences in the weights of the inguinal, thyroid, and lachrymal glands of males from enclosures with different densities of populations. The results suggest the importance of odoriferous glands in the social and territorial activities of the wild rabbit.