Search Results (61)

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a widely distributed and highly adaptive small carnivore known by its generalist diet, which includes small mammals, invertebrates, and fruits. Despite its ecological relevance, how habitat heterogeneity affects its diet across the Mediterranean, a biodiversity hotspot shaped by long-term human disturbance, remains insufficiently synthesized. In this review, we synthesized and analyzed published studies that reported habitat-specific data on the red fox diet in the Mediterranean. Only 12 studies met the selection criteria, and no study directly compared two different habitats. The studied areas covered three dominant habitats: forests, scrublands (garrigue), and agroecosystems, and diet items were grouped in 7 categories: birds, carcasses, fruits, invertebrates, lagomorphs, small mammals, and reptiles. Overall diet composition varied significantly, with invertebrates and fruits being the most frequent diet items. In turn, lagomorphs and reptiles were the least frequent. In turn, diet composition varied little across habitats, indicating that diet variation follows specific local resource abundance regardless of habitat type. Despite the analytical limitations associated with the limited availability of habitat-explicit studies. The results highlight the pronounced dietary plasticity of the red fox and its capacity to integrate resource availability across heterogeneous Mediterranean landscape mosaics. This trophic adaptability and top predator role support various ecosystem functions such as controlling invertebrate and small mammal populations, dispersing seeds, and cycling nutrients, reinforcing the potential of the red fox as functional bioindicator in the Mediterranean. Therefore, sustainable land management, especially in agricultural areas, and restoration efforts for degraded areas should consider the beneficial roles of generalist carnivores like the red fox. Full article

Members of the microsporidial genus Encephalitozoon have the capacity to infect both mammals and birds, and E. cuniculi is most commonly found in rabbits. With a seroprevalence ranging up to 85%, E. cuniculi can be a problem in pet rabbits as well as in food production and laboratory animal science. While most infections are likely subclinical, there are three main clinical presentations: neurological, renal, and ocular. Typical clinical signs including vestibular disease and phacoclastic uveitis may develop with initial or relapsing infection, while renal infection is usually progressive and associated with non-specific clinical signs. High-sensitivity/specificity ante mortem diagnostic options are lacking, and serological testing most often provides adjunct rather than definitive information such that physical examination and other diagnostics are used more so for ruling out other differentials and comorbidities, rather than confirming infection. In the veterinary community, treatment regimens are variable given the lack of thorough studies and a consensus. The aim of this document is to present the available literature to give a concise review of this organism and its infection of rabbits as well as to propose guidelines and protocols for diagnostics and treatment regimens. In addition, the current challenges and recommendations for further studies are discussed. Full article

A two-year-old, intact female, domestic fawn-colored dwarf lop rabbit was presented with apathy and anorexia. Clinical examination revealed hypothermia, tachycardia, and abdominal pain. Routine hematology, biochemistry, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations were performed. Radiographic evaluation demonstrated pneumoperitoneum, generalized small intestinal distention and marked focal dilation of the descending colon by amorphous and partially mineralized material. Ultrasonography confirmed the presence of free gas along with abdominal effusion. Exploratory laparotomy revealed focal perforation of the descending colon associated with mural abscess formation containing fecal material and pus. The severity of the lesions and multiple adhesions to adjacent organs (urinary bladder and uterus) led to the decision for intraoperative euthanasia. This case report describes clinical, imaging and surgical findings of pneumoperitoneum related to septic peritonitis secondary to colonic perforation in a domestic rabbit. Full article

In this research, 59 samples from 31 animals (19 European rabbits, 11 Iberian hares, and 1 cat) and an axenic culture of the Leishmania infantum isolate (MCAN/ES/97/10445, zymodeme ZM/MON-1) used as a reference were studied based on the analysis of kinetoplast minicircle (kDNA) restriction fragments by combining polymerase chain reaction and length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP). This analysis was performed in parallel with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and capillary electrophoresis (CE), as well as in silico digestion of the abovementioned reference. These analyses did not reveal differences between the L. infantum isolates detected in the different samples of wild lagomorphs (rabbits and hares) from various areas of the Community of Madrid or with the axenically cultured promastigotes of the L. infantum isolate (MCAN/ES/97/10445, zymodeme ZM/MON-1) used as a reference. Consequently, it was proven that with the implemented approaches, only one isolate of L. infantum was responsible for infection in wild leporids and that these animals sustained the pathogen’s life cycle, both in the area of the human leishmaniasis outbreak that has been occurring in the Community of Madrid since 2009 and outside of it. Additionally, this isolate has been circulating since at least the 1990s. Full article

Background/Objectives: Intrathecal drug delivery is essential for treating CNS disorders, but the safety of commonly used excipients such as citric acid/sodium citrate (SC) remains unclear. This study aims to systematically evaluate the potential neuropharmacological effects of repeated intrathecal SC administration. Methods: Multimodal approaches were applied across murine and lagomorph models. Doses ranged from 1.833–14.664 μg/g in mice and 0.104–3.290 mg/rabbit. Behavioral, neurophysiological, and fiber photometry analyses were conducted to assess sensorimotor function, cortical activity, and calcium dynamics. Results: SC induced dose-dependent sensorimotor deficits, including hypolocomotion (45.7% reduced distance, p < 0.001) and impaired coordination (latency reduction 48.3–64.1%, p < 0.001). Mortality increased with dosage and repeated exposure. Neurophysiological data revealed biphasic cortical modulation: acute c-Fos suppression followed by delayed hyperactivity. Fiber photometry confirmed calcium chelation-mediated attenuation and subsequent potentiation of Ca²⁺ signals. Rabbits exhibited similar neurological symptoms, correlating with transient CSF calcium/magnesium depletion, though no structural neural damage was observed. Conclusions: These results provide the first comprehensive evidence that SC buffers can significantly disrupt neuronal calcium homeostasis and induce functional impairments upon intrathecal delivery. The findings emphasize the need for reassessing excipient safety in CNS-targeted formulations. Full article

Cellulose hydrogels derived from agave bagasse were formulated to promote the regeneration of gingival connective tissue in lagomorphs. Three treatment modalities were randomly implanted in the gingival diastema area in 16 rabbits. The general characteristics were analyzed and histopathological studies were carried out at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. A chi-squared test was performed using IBM-SPSS version 25, indicating that cellulose hydrogels implanted in lagomorph’s gingival tissue showed the presence of greater angiogenesis and fibrogenesis at the four evaluation intervals during 16 consecutive weeks. The presence of inflammatory infiltrates had no significant impact. No significant changes were observed in body weight and water and food intake. This suggests that hydrogels contribute to the regeneration and/or repair of oral connective tissue, showing angiogenesis and fibrogenesis in 50 to 100% of rabbits tested with hydrogel cellulose membrane. Regarding angiogenesis, in the specimens where membranes were implanted, its presence predominated in all variants (50%), followed by diffuse angiogenesis (37.5%), and finally the absence of angiogenesis (12.5%). Full article

Francisella tularensis is a vector-borne zoonotic bacterium that causes tularemia, a disease of great importance for animal and public health. Although wild lagomorphs are considered one of the major reservoirs of this bacterium, information about the circulation of F. tularensis in European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) populations in Europe is still very limited. In Spain, F. tularensis is present in northern central regions, with recurrent outbreaks occurring annually. However, southern Spain has been neglected in terms of monitoring and research. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of F. tularensis in wild lagomorphs in the Mediterranean ecosystems of southern Spain through using molecular techniques. Spleen samples from 774 European wild rabbits and 178 Iberian hares were collected on 135 hunting grounds between the 2017/2018 and 2022/2023 hunting seasons. A primer set targeting the 16S rRNA gene was used for the detection of F. tularensis DNA. None of the 952 (0.0%; 95%CI: 0.0–0.4) wild lagomorphs sampled showed presence of F. tularensis DNA. Our finding indicates the absence or very low circulation of the bacterium in wild rabbit and Iberian hare populations in the Mediterranean ecosystems of southern Spain, denoting a limited risk of transmission of this pathogen from wild lagomorphs to other sympatric species, including human beings, in this Iberian region. Full article

In 2022–2023, the first survey of clinicians regarding Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection of rabbits was undertaken. The purpose was to assess the current worldwide knowledge of clinicians regarding influence of breed and age, clinical presentations, use of various diagnostic tools, and treatment regimens and to explore how responses may differ by geographic location. Identifying mostly as exotic animal clinicians, 339 respondents participated, with nearly half from the United States and the remainder from 35 other countries. Neurological signs were most consistently reported as associated with Encephalitozoon cuniculi and the most recurrent clinical case presentation. Other responses showed differences by geographic location. For example, age predilection for disease varied, with 71.1% of international respondents indicating that infection was more common in young rabbits versus 28.9% who suggested it was more frequent in older rabbits. This was significantly different (p = 0.001) from the information from respondents from the United States, where 48.0% indicated that younger rabbits had an increased incidence versus 52.0% who indicated that older age increased occurrence. While some differences may be related to the practice composition and the training level of respondents, many responses were in alignment with the existing literature. Future inquiries should focus more on these discrepancies to aid in generating guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of this infectious disease. Full article

A recombinant vaccine for rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2, a highly pathogenic virus, was granted emergency use authorization in the United States after the detection and spread of the virus starting in 2018. The goal of the current study was to assess pet rabbits (n = 29) through physical examination and routine clinical pathology testing using repeated assessments post-vaccination. In addition, seroconversion was also monitored after the initial vaccination and booster vaccination. Neither owners nor clinicians detected any physical abnormalities in relationship to the vaccine protocol. Hematological and clinical biochemistry testing showed some changes although median values were within species specific reference intervals. A significant increase in antibody levels was observed at day 21 (post-initial vaccination) and day 49 (post-booster vaccination) versus that present at baseline (p < 0.0001). However, variability in study rabbits was noted with some individuals showing low antibody levels as well as a lower overall response in older rabbits (r = −0.56, p = 0.006). A second cohort of rabbits was assessed at 11–12 months post-initial vaccination. In this second group, antibody levels were not significantly different from baseline levels (p = 0.21). Additional studies should be conducted to further define the variability in seroconversion and the term of protection in pet rabbits as the industry moves forward in the optimization of RHDV2 vaccines. Full article

Surveillance of wildlife virus impacts can be passive or active. Both approaches have their strengths and weaknesses, especially regarding cost and knowledge that can be gained. Monitoring of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (GI.1 and GI.2) in South Australia has utilised both strategies and their methods and gained insights are discussed. Active strategies to monitor the continuing impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (GI.2) on susceptible lagomorphs in countries such as the USA, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, France and Portugal are encouraged to gain critical insights into the evolution, spread and impact of this virus. Furthermore, there are lessons here for the international monitoring of diseases in wildlife, particularly where there is a risk of them becoming zoonotic. Full article

Wild populations of New England cottontails (NECs, Sylvilagus transitionalis) are declining and occupy a small proportion of their historic range. To conserve this species, wild-caught cottontails participate in a reintroduction breeding program. To increase the program’s productivity, this study described breeding behavior in pairings with (n = 3 pairings) and without (n = 9 pairings) reproductive success. Females were paired with two males consecutively and behaviors were recorded using 24 h continuous video footage. Activity peaked between 19:00 and 06:00. Copulation was only observed in successful pairings, and the gestation period was 31 days. Successful pairings had a significantly higher rate of follows (p < 0.001) and a lower rate of dashes (p < 0.0001) compared to unsuccessful pairings. Females had significantly higher rates of charge (p < 0.0005), chase (p < 0.0003), and dash (p < 0.0016) than males. Males had higher rates of follow (p < 0.005) than females. Males and females altered their behavior in the presence of different potential mates, suggesting that mate compatibility may influence breeding program productivity. This study significantly expands the understanding of NEC breeding behavior and is applicable to the management of this imperiled species living at low densities in fragmented landscapes. Full article

Mexico is home to 14 species of lagomorphs, 6 of which are endemic. Studies on diseases affecting native lagomorphs are scarce, and in most cases, the impact on their populations remains largely unknown. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), especially the RHDV2 variant, causes a serious and extremely contagious disease, resulting in high mortality rates and major declines in wild lagomorph populations. The objectives of this study were to identify disease hotspots and critical biodiversity regions in Mexico through the combined use of disease information and lagomorph distribution maps and to determine the areas of greatest concern. In total, 19 states of Mexico recorded RHDV2 from April 2020 to August 2021, and 12 of them reported the wild species Sylvilagus audubonii, Lepus californicus, and unidentified Leporidae species. The distribution of RHDV2 in Mexico can be closely predicted from climatic variables. RHDV2 hotspots are located in the central-southern area of the Mexican Highlands and the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, where the virus affects multiple species. This knowledge is essential for proposing specific actions to manage and preserve lagomorph populations at risk and address these issues as soon as possible. Full article

A new form of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, RHDV2, first observed in European rabbits, has spread widely among different species of hares in Europe, jackrabbits and cottontails in North America, and hares in southern Africa. However, only limited surveillance studies have been undertaken so far. It is suggested that methods developed for controlling the disease in farmed rabbits in Europe and studying the efficacy of RHDV as a biological control agent in Australia could facilitate epidemiological research on those recently affected lagomorph species. This would enable the assessment of the risk of RHDV2 to native lagomorphs, including endangered species, and the determination of the main host species of RHDV2. Because RHDV2 has not spread equally through all lagomorph species, epidemiological studies could give insights into factors important for determining host susceptibility. Full article

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) is a highly infectious, often fatal viral disease that affects both domestic and wild lagomorph species. In the United States (U.S.), the virus first was detected in wild lagomorph populations in the southwest in March 2020 and has continued to be detected in native North American lagomorph species over several years. The susceptibility of host species and exact mechanisms of environmental transmission across the U.S. landscape remain poorly understood. Our study aims to increase the understanding of RHDV2 in wild lagomorph populations by providing a history of detection. We present and summarize results from all RHDV2-suspect wild lagomorph morbidity and mortality samples submitted for diagnostic testing in the U.S. from March 2020 to March 2024. Samples were submitted from 916 wild lagomorphs across eight native North American species in 14 western states, of which 313 (34.2%) tested positive by RHDV2 RT-qPCR. Detections of RHDV2 in pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) and riparian brush rabbits (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) suggest that the risk to threatened and endangered species warrants more attention. Continuing to investigate wild lagomorph morbidity and mortality events and tracking RHDV2 detections over time can help inform on disease epidemiology and wild lagomorph population trends. Full article

The Cyclades Islands (Aegean Sea, Greece) are part of the Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot and harbor a plethora of endemic species. Plant communities on the smaller islands in this region have largely evolved in the absence of herbivory and frequently lack antiherbivore defenses. This study evaluates the short- and long-term effects of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), an herbivore that has been released on numerous islands in the region, by comparing islands that 1. have historically been rabbit-free (ungrazed); 2. are currently grazed by rabbits, and 3. have previously been grazed, but are now rabbit-free. Ecological impacts of rabbits on the Aegean Islands were investigated by assessing the abundance, composition, and diversity of plant and arthropod communities as well as soil characteristics. Our results indicate that ungrazed islands have more arthropod species, more specialized or endemic plant species, and less exposed soil than currently grazed islands. While ungrazed islands did not necessarily possess higher total plant species richness, they did harbor significantly more small-island endemic taxa relative to presently grazed islands. This study indicates that native plant communities on Mediterranean islets are not adapted to the presence of this introduced species and that the practice of intentionally releasing rabbits on islands has significant and lasting negative ecological impacts, especially on small islands. While a complete recovery of post-rabbit was not evident over the time span of our research, both arthropod and plant data indicate that partial recovery is possible once rabbits have been removed. Full article