Recovering the Endangered Riparian Brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius): Reproduction and Growth in Confinement and Survival after Translocation

Williams, Daniel F.; Kelly, Patrick A.; Hamilton, Laurissa P.; Lloyd, Matthew R.; Williams, Elizabeth A.; Youngblom, James

doi:10.1007/978-3-540-72446-9_23

Cited by 12 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Lagomorph species throughout the world are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss and degradation, over-exploitation, competition (heterospecifics and introduced lagomorphs), and predation (IUCN, 2010;Smith, 2008). Numerous lagomorphs of conservation concern occur as metapopulations and are dependent upon successional habitats (e.g., Lower Keys marsh rabbits [Sylvilagus palustris hefneri]: Forys and Humphrey, 1996 1996; riparian brush rabbit [Sylvilagus bachmani riparius]: Williams et al, 2008; swamp rabbit [Sylvilagus aquaticus]: Nielsen et al, 2008). Conservation and recovery efforts for these and other lagomorphs can be difficult when basic population ecology data are lacking (Hackländer et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat succession, hardwood encroachment and raccoons as limiting factors for Lower Keys marsh rabbits

Schmidt

McCleery

Lopez

et al. 2010

Biological Conservation

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The Lower Keys marsh rabbit (LKMR, Sylvilagus palustris hefneri), a marsh rabbit subspecies endemic to the Lower Keys, Florida was protected in 1990, however, populations continue to decline despite recovery efforts. We hypothesized ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation due to succession and hardwood encroachment has lead to increased edge, reduced habitat quality, and increased activity by native raccoons (Procyon lotor). These factors reduce the suitability of patches in a later successional state, thus threatening LKMR recovery and metapopulation persistence. We surveyed 150 LKMR patches in 2008, tallying adult and juvenile rabbit pellets, estimating measures of habitat succession and quality (woody and herbaceous ground cover, distribution of herbaceous species) and recording raccoon activity (number of raccoon signs). We calculated patch edge (patch shape index) using ArcGIS. We evaluated the relationship between patch and habitat attributes and LKMR using regression analysis and model selection. We found both adult and juvenile LKMR pellet counts were lower in patches with higher shape indices and higher in patches with greater occurrence of bunchgrasses and forbs. We also found adult LKMR pellet counts were lower in patches with higher raccoon activity. Our results suggest patch edge, habitat succession and quality, and raccoons pose a threat to the persistence and recovery of LKMR populations. Recovery efforts should focus on reducing these trends through habitat management and raccoon removal implemented in carefully controlled experiments with proper monitoring. Measures of patch and habitat attributes important to LKMR should be incorporated into long-term metapopulation monitoring and used to evaluate recovery actions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat succession, hardwood encroachment and raccoons as limiting factors for Lower Keys marsh rabbits

Schmidt

McCleery

Lopez

et al. 2010

Biological Conservation

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“…The endangered riparian brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) now occurs in only two populations in central California, following .95% loss of its historical habitat (Larsen 1993;Williams et al 2002). In 2000, a recovery plan was implemented to re-establish habitat and perform captive breeding (Williams 2002).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2000, a recovery plan was implemented to re-establish habitat and perform captive breeding (Williams 2002). Six to 10 rabbits are removed from wild populations each winter into protected propagation pens.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Vector-borne Bacterial Pathogens in Riparian Brush Rabbits (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) and their Ticks

Schmitz

Foley

Kasten

et al. 2014

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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ABSTRACT:From June to October 2010, 48 endangered riparian brush rabbits (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) were trapped at a captive propagation site in central California with the intention of release into re-established habitats. During prerelease examinations, ticks and blood samples were collected for surveillance for Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Bartonella spp. Ticks were identified, and DNA was extracted for PCR analysis. Serology was performed to detect exposure to Rickettsia spp., B. burgdorferi, and A. phagocytophilum. DNA was extracted from blood samples and analyzed for A. phagocytophilum using PCR assays. Rabbit blood samples were also cultured for Bartonella spp. Haemaphysalis leporispalustris ticks were detected on all rabbits except one. A total of 375 ticks were collected, with 48% of the rabbits (23 rabbits) having a burden ranging from 0 to 5 ticks, 15% (seven rabbits) from 6 to 10 ticks, 25% (12 rabbits) from 11 to 15 ticks, and 12% (six rabbits) with .15 ticks. There was no evidence of B. burgdorferi or R. rickettsii in tick or rabbit samples. There was also no evidence of Bartonella spp. in the rabbit samples. Four tick samples and 14 rabbits were weakly PCR positive for A. phagocytophilum, and six rabbits were antibody positive for A. phagocytophilum. These results suggest that there may be little risk of these tick-borne diseases in riparian brush rabbits or to the people in contact with them.

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“…. Summary of Live-Trapping Surveys, 1998-2008..……………………….. Table 2. Definition of Vegetation Layers………………………………………...... Table 3.…”

Section: List Of Tablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The importance of the Park to the rabbit"s survival was further elevated when Williams and Basey (1986) set out to inventory all riparian brush rabbit populations within their historical range and were only able to confirm the presence of the rabbit within the Park. Since it had been 40 years since the last recorded observation of the rabbit outside of the Park (Orr, 1940), it was assumed that the Park was the sole remaining location of this species, a belief that would persist until an additional population was discovered on private property in the late 1990s along the San Joaquin River (Williams et al, 2008).…”

Section: Caswell Memorial State Parkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Riparian Brush Rabbit Habitat Requirements in Caswell Memorial State Park

Elsholz¹

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With the rapid growth of agricultural and urban development in California"s Central Valley in the 20 th and 21 st centuries, many habitats, including riparian forests, have been drastically altered. Along with these habitats, species that are dependent on them have also been fragmented and their long-term survival threatened. The riparian brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) is one such species that has experienced profound population contraction over the past century. This research was conducted at Caswell Memorial State Park ("the Park"), located in Ripon, California, which is the largest remaining habitat fragment within the rabbit"s historical range. One objective of this research was to characterize the vegetation of the Park which can be used as a model of suitable rabbit habitat. The Park was also surveyed for rabbit presence using motion sensor cameras and track plates. The relationships between vegetation and rabbit presence were evaluated and, although not statistically significant, the rabbit sites generally lacked high canopy, while blackberry and sedge were present. Strikingly, rabbits were found only at four sites (n=125). Additionally, the two data collection methods used, motion sensor cameras and track plates, were evaluated on their effectiveness for detecting mammals within this habitat. This research showed that both methods were equally effective, although cameras proved to be superior for more practical reasons. v

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Recovering the Endangered Riparian Brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius): Reproduction and Growth in Confinement and Survival after Translocation

Cited by 12 publications

References 10 publications

Habitat succession, hardwood encroachment and raccoons as limiting factors for Lower Keys marsh rabbits

Habitat succession, hardwood encroachment and raccoons as limiting factors for Lower Keys marsh rabbits

Prevalence of Vector-borne Bacterial Pathogens in Riparian Brush Rabbits (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) and their Ticks

Riparian Brush Rabbit Habitat Requirements in Caswell Memorial State Park

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