Fertility and Infertility in the European Hare Lepus europaeus in Australia

Evidence of autumn reproduction in female European hares (Lepus europaeus) from southern Europe

“…This fact, coupled with observations of moderate to high proportions of pregnant females (in September-October and OctoberNovember, respectively), provide indications of a continuous reproduction for those species though with a summer regressive phase. To our knowledge, the only case where a reproductive activity of European hares has been observed during autumn-early winter was reported recently in the nonindigenous populations of Australia in a semi-arid habitat (Stott et al 2008). The reported percentages of pregnant females are equal to those of our study or slightly lower especially during November and December (Table 1).…”

“…In areas where winter is harsh (i.e., Lithuania: Likevičiené 1962in Raczynki 1964Russia: Korneev 1960in Raczynki 1964, the reproduction may not start until March where the weather conditions will be ameliorated, while during mild winters, reproductively active females can be observed exceptionally early in the breeding season (e.g., December Hay 1953in Raczyński 1964November Korneev 1960in Raczynki 1964all year round Likevičiené 1962in Raczyński 1964. Contrary to this reproductive pattern, the introduced populations of European hare in Australia seem to breed all over the year in warmer climates (Stott et al 2008). Thus, available information strongly suggests that regional climates affect the European hare's breeding season and that local conditions contribute significantly to annual variations in its onset and termination and hence, in breeding season length (Flux 1967;Hewson and Taylor 1975;Cary and Keith 1979).…”

Effects of genetic management on reproduction, growth, and survival in captive endangered pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis)

“…Females that had a previous litter that breeding season were more likely to become pregnant during a pairing and to produce neonates that survived until emergence, but produced a smaller litter. In contrast, Stott et al (2008) found that litter size increased with the number of litters produced per female per year in European rabbits, and Rashwan and Marai (2000) found that shortening the birthing interval increased mortality in domestic rabbits. Female juveniles grew faster and had a higher adult mass, but sex was not related to adult survival.…”

Breeding and Parental Care in the Endangered Tehuantepec Jackrabbit (Lepus flavigularis)

“…The breeding rate of Tehuantepec jackrabbits (4 leverets per female per breeding season) is lower than the average recorded for Lepus: L. californicus can produce 4 litters per year with 6 leverets per litter (Hanselka et al 1971, Godin 1977; L. insularis can produce 3 litters per year with 4 leverets per litter; L. europaeus and L. timidus scoticus can produce 4 litters per year with 2 leverets per litter (Flux 1970, Stott et al 2008; L. arcticus can produce 5 litters per year with 2 leverets per litter (Banfield 1974, Parker 1977; and L. americanus can produce 4-10 litters per year with 4 leverets per litter (Banfield 1974, Cary and Keith 1979, Ellsworth and Reynolds 2006. Although the litter size of L. flavigularis (2 leverets) is similar to that of L.…”

“…Although the litter size of L. flavigularis (2 leverets) is similar to that of L. arcticus, L. californicus, L. t. scoticus, and L. europaeus (Bronson and Tiemeier 1958, Flux 1970, Banfield 1974, Stott et al 2008, fewer litters are produced by the Tehuantepec jackrabbit (2 per breeding season) than by most of the other Lepus species: 4 litters in L. californicus (Bronson and Tiemeier 1958), 5 litters in L. arcticus (Banfield 1974), 3 litters in L. insularis (Flux 1981), and 4 litters in L. americanus (Ellsworth and Reynolds 2006). Flux (1967) affirms that it is normal for jackrabbits with long breeding seasons to have fewer litters, unlike other jackrabbits with breeding seasons lasting an average of 180 days (i.e., L. americanus and Lepus towns endii; Chapman et al 1982, Ellsworth andReynolds 2006).…”