Weather Effects on Reproduction, Survival, and Body Mass of European Rabbits in a Temperate Zone Habitat

摘要: Understanding the effects of environmental factors on dynamics animal populations is one major challenges for population biologists. In particular, impact climate and weather has been focus many studies during last years (e.g., Lima Jaksic 1998; Milner et al. 1999; Stenseth Yoccoz 2000; Aars Ims 2002; Lande 2003). However, data specific different vital rates are rare, because, in small mammals individually based difficult to conduct, long-term datasets needed obtaining reliable results. The European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus an interesting very suitable model organism such a study. Formerly restricted relict distribution Iberian Peninsula about 3,000 ago, this species spread by man over nearly all continents climatic zones (Flux 1994). This characterized high reproductive capacity Myers Poole 1962; Goncalves von Holst 2002) but also mortality rates, particular juveniles Richardson Wood 1982). can result strong short-term fluctuations numbers Erlinge 1984; 1963). Furthermore, several point out, that conditions have abundance densities mammal Trout Schropfer Calvete 2004). Since 1988 we kept studied rabbits field enclosure 2 ha Upper Franconia, Germany. chapter, review our findings components, body mass at end vegetation period, over-winter survival adults first-year individuals’ reproduction, survival, mass. Many aspects presented here described previous papers, however not results published.