Geographic distribution of the European hare (Lepus europaeus) in Brazil and new records of occurrence for the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes

Abstract

The introduction of alien species is among the main causes of biodiversity loss. There are many documented cases of introduced mammals having severe impacts on the ecosystem. The European hare (

Native forest and proximity to humans are stronger drivers of Brazilian cottontail habitat use than invasive European hare

“…Amazon forest cottontails and the cottontails found in our study areas represent distinct molecular lineages, suggesting these putative taxa (Silva et al., 2019) may have different fundamental niches and habitat requirements. Despite long‐standing calls (de Faria et al., 2015; Grigera & Rapoport, 1983; Novillo & Ojeda, 2008), our study found little evidence of a negative influence of the non‐native European hares on the native cottontail habitat use, as predicted by the competitive exclusion hypothesis. In contrast to the native cottontail habitat use pattern we found, European hares are less likely to use sites predominantly covered by native forest and more likely to use human‐modified habitats (e.g., sugarcane fields, managed forests, and pastures) in southeastern Brazil (Pasqualotto et al., 2021).…”

“…Competition between European hare and Brazilian cottontail has long been suggested given these species' ecological similarities (de Faria et al., 2015; Grigera & Rapoport, 1983; Novillo & Ojeda, 2008). Equivalent to the Brazilian cottontail, European hares are mostly nocturnal (Schai‐Braun et al., 2012).…”

“…Farmlands are the primary habitat of the European hare in its native range (Tapper & Barnes, 1986; Thulin, 2003), but this species also uses forest edges, especially as resting sites when agricultural fields do not provide adequate vegetation cover (Petrovan et al., 2013). European hares were introduced throughout the world and have successfully invaded most continents (Barbar & Lambertucci, 2018), given their high dispersal capacity (de Faria et al., 2015; Grigera & Rapoport, 1983) and reproduction rate (Chapman & Flux, 1990). Non‐native European hares have spatially replaced native mountain hare populations in Northern Ireland ( Lepus timidus hibernicus ) and Sweden ( Lepus timidus ) likely through competition (Caravaggi et al., 2016; Thulin, 2003).…”

“…Competition between European hare and Brazilian cottontail has long been suggested given these species' ecological similarities (de Faria et al, 2015;Grigera & Rapoport, 1983;Novillo & Ojeda, 2008).…”

First record of Sylvilagus brasiliensis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lagomorpha: Leporidae) in Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeast Brazil

“…The animal has unmistakable morphology, especially considering its record in the Caatinga, where there is no documented introduction of the European Brown Hare Lepus europeus (Pallas, 1778). This is an invasive species which has established populations in Southern and Southeastern Brazil (Auricchio and Olmos 1999;Faria et al 2015). Moreover, Sylvilagus has relatively shorter limbs as well as ears proportionally smaller and with lighter colour in relation to Lepus (Feijó and Langguth 2013).…”