Influence of myxomatosis in regulating Rabbit numbers

Impact of myxomatosis in relation to local persistence in wild rabbit populations: The role of waning immunity and the reproductive period

“…The model can also help to understand the seasonal incidence of myxomatosis. In the field, the epidemic peak of mayxomatosis occurs in autumn (Boag, 1988;Ross and Tittensor, 1986). A smaller peak can be observed in spring (Joubert et al, 1973;Ross and Tittensor, 1986;Ross et al, 1989).…”

“…In the field, the epidemic peak of mayxomatosis occurs in autumn (Boag, 1988;Ross and Tittensor, 1986). A smaller peak can be observed in spring (Joubert et al, 1973;Ross and Tittensor, 1986;Ross et al, 1989). In the model, epidemic peaks of myxomatosis occur in September as soon as the connectivity between subpopulations is below a given threshold.…”

Using Leslie Matrices to Determine Wild Rabbit Population Growth and the Potential for Control

“…Reviews of this changing relationship are given by Ross (1982) and Ross & Sanders (1987). Despite this changing relationship, it appears that myxomatosis is still an important factor in the regulation of rabbit numbers (Ross & Tittensor 1986;Ross et al 1989) and that predator pressure may also be limiting population growth (Trout & Tittensor 1989). Despite this changing relationship, it appears that myxomatosis is still an important factor in the regulation of rabbit numbers (Ross & Tittensor 1986;Ross et al 1989) and that predator pressure may also be limiting population growth (Trout & Tittensor 1989).…”

Are lagomorphs similar to other small mammals in their population ecology?

“…The virus disease myxomatosis reduced the abundance of the Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Australia and throughout Western Europe and Britain during the early 1950s (Ross & Tittensor, 1986). There is no question but that this is the classic textbook example of successful biological control and the one feature of lagomorph population dynamics that is most widely known.…”