How introduced rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus limit the abundance of red kangaroos Macropus rufus and other native grazers in Australia

摘要: Abstract The successive releases of myxoma virus, rabbit fleas and haemorrhagic disease virus in Australia greatly reduced the abundance introduced rabbits, but also enquiry into any continuing role rabbits modifying native pasture vegetation or competing with grazing mammals. We argue here, however, that despite these biological controls, still compete red kangaroos for limited resources such as grasses. This is based on: (a) long-term trends kangaroo numbers, (b) increases following removal (c) similarities between quality foods selected by those needed young kangaroos, (d) low availability grasses a food source degraded arid-zone pastures, (e) correlations (negative) (positive) (f) inadequate alternative explanations. Rabbits remain ubiquitous even at densities