2009
DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2008.04.003
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Causes and predictors of nest mortality in a European rabbit population

Abstract: We conducted a study on nest mortality of an individually marked population of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus L., 1758) living in a field enclosure. Over 4 years, we determined maternities and quantified pup mortality during the nest period of 703 pups born in subterranean breeding burrows. Overall, pup mortality occurred in 42.7% of the litters, whereas 32.4% of all born pups were affected. Mortality was highest during the first few postnatal days. In about 50% of the cases, we managed to quantify di… Show more

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Cited by 66 publications
(62 citation statements)
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References 54 publications
(78 reference statements)
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“…We suspect that wild rabbits avoid these slopes because they tend to be wet and cold (less sun exposure), and such environments favor litter mortality (Rödel et al 2009). In addition, according to GarciaBocanegra et al (2010), the Spilopsyllus cuniculi flea, which finds its physiological optimal conditions in wet sites (Osácar-Jimenez et al 2001), is an important disease vector in the European wild rabbit.…”
Section: Environmental Factorsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…We suspect that wild rabbits avoid these slopes because they tend to be wet and cold (less sun exposure), and such environments favor litter mortality (Rödel et al 2009). In addition, according to GarciaBocanegra et al (2010), the Spilopsyllus cuniculi flea, which finds its physiological optimal conditions in wet sites (Osácar-Jimenez et al 2001), is an important disease vector in the European wild rabbit.…”
Section: Environmental Factorsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Food abundance and other direct effects of temperature on the offspring's environment together shape reproductive output [e.g. in rabbits, cold soil temperatures increase nest mortality (Rödel et al, 2008)]. …”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Here, nest mortality is to a great extent due to flooding, cooling of the kits (with ambient temperatures of the soil surrounding the nest chamber as low as 5°C), predation, or to infanticide by other females (Myers, 1958;Mulder and Wallage Drees, 1979;Palomares, 2003;Rödel et al, 2008a,b;Rödel et al, 2009a). In contrast, disturbed or maladaptive behaviour of the domestic doe due to housing conditions that do not satisfy all her behavioural requirements, can contribute to kit mortality during the nursing period.…”
mentioning
confidence: 99%