Body condition variation of wild rabbit population in the north-east Mediterranean island of Lemnos - Greece
2014
Kontsiotis, V.J., Democritus University of Thrace, Orestiada (Greece). Dept. of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources | Bakaloudis, D.E., Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece). Dept. of Wildlife Management and Freshwater Fisheries | Tsiompanoudis, A.C., Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece). Dept. of Wildlife Management and Freshwater Fisheries | Xofis, P., Technological Educational Institute of Kavala, Drama (Greece). Dept. of Forestry and Management of Natural Environment
European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a widely distributed species with a multiple role insustainability and local economy. In the current study we examine the body condition of the species in relation to habitat type, age, sex and seasonality on he island of Lemnos. Body condition was assessed based on a visual estimation of the amount of abdominal fat. A hight intra-annual variation in the body condition of the species has been observed, which is further affected by sex and age. The species appears to conserve and maintain high levels of energy reserves for two main reasons.The first is to ensure a better reproductive succes, as expressed by the relatively high amount of stored fat reserves at the onset of breeding season, and their depletion during it. The second is to ensure survival during periods where the shortage of food creates a rather hostile environment, as expressed by the increased level of reserves differs between male and female rabbits, reflecting their temporally different energy demands. Further, differencies in body conditions were observed between juvenile and adult individuals, reflecting their different needs in terms of body growth and maintenance. Our results could offer important insights for the development of a time specific management plan and measures to ensure either the control of the population or its conservation.
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