First assessment of the potential introduction by hunters of eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) in Spain
M. Delibes-Mateos A B L , F. Castro B C , V. Piorno D , E. Ramírez E , J. A. Blanco-Aguiar E F , F. Aparicio B , L. E. Mínguez E , C. C. Ferreira G H , C. Rouco I , C. A. Ríos-Saldaña J K , P. Recuerda I and R. Villafuerte BA Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Apartado 1095, 41080, Sevilla, Spain.
B Instituto de Estudios Sociales Avanzados (IESA–CSIC), Campo Santo de los Mártires 7, 14004, Córdoba, Spain.
C Departamento de Didáctica de las Ciencias Sociales y Experimentales, Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
D Parque Nacional das Illas Atlánticas, Consellería de Medio Ambiente e Ordenación do Territorio–Xunta de Galicia, Rúa Oliva 3, 36202, Vigo, Spain.
E Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC–CSIC–UCLM–JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain.
F CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
G UFZ–Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Conservation Biology, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
H Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B8, Canada.
I Department of Zoology, Campus de Rabanales, University of Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain.
J BioCórima A. C., Blvd. Dr Jesús Valdés Sánchez km 10, Col. Presa de las Casas, Arteaga, Coahuila, 25350, Mexico.
K Instituto Tecnológico de Linares, carretera nacional km 157, Linares, Nuevo Leon, 67700, Mexico.
L Corresponding author. Email: mdelibesmateos@gmail.com
Wildlife Research 45(7) 571-577 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR17185
Submitted: 20 December 2017 Accepted: 31 July 2018 Published: 1 October 2018
Abstract
Context: Humans have introduced lagomorph species in areas outside their native ranges for their meat, fur or value as game species. Assessing the rate of success of lagomorph introductions is vital to address the ecological damage they may cause. Cases of failed lagomorph introductions in apparently suitable areas may also shed light on mechanisms that may deter invasion, which are useful in developing strategies for population control. In Spain, it has been suggested that hunters introduced the non-native eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) to compensate for the recent drastic declines of the native European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
Aims: Our main goals were to investigate (1) whether Sylvilagus rabbits have indeed been introduced by hunters across Spain, and (2) whether the species has become established in Spanish ecosystems.
Methods: We interviewed 311 hunters or naturalists across Spain. The questionnaires inquired about the characteristics of game management in each locality, including the frequency of rabbit restocking, and particularly whether Sylvilagus rabbits had been released in the surveyed localities. In addition, we sampled 192 rabbit populations (n = 3974 individuals) across Spain by using molecular analysis to determine whether Sylvilagus rabbits were present in these areas.
Key results: Our interview results suggest that Sylvilagus rabbits may have been released in 6% of the 311 localities surveyed. However, molecular analyses failed to confirm their persistence, because all samples belonged to O. cuniculus.
Conclusions: We infer that Sylvilagus rabbits failed to establish themselves in Spain, although interviewees reported their introduction. Several reasons may explain the unsuccessful establishment of this species, such as a low propagule pressure, competition with native species, predation, inability to cope with local pathogens and unsuitable climatic conditions.
Implications: The risk of future introductions of non-native game species can be reduced through the implementation of stricter regulations of animal releases into the wild. Long-term monitoring networks should be developed to help identify non-native game species before they become established and spread to neighbouring areas, thereby preventing any ecological or economic impacts these species may cause.
Additional keywords: game management, hunting, interview survey, invasive species, lagomorph, Oryctolagus cuniculus.
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