Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-02T21:40:45.745Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The distribution and abundance of the ectoparasites of the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), in New South Wales, Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

R. T. Williams
R. T. Williams
Affiliation:
Division of Wildlife Research, CSIRO, P.O. Box 84, Lyneham, Canberra, A.C.T., 2602, Australia
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

In the winters of 1969 and 1970 a total of 64 rabbits was shot at 11 sites covering diverse climatic regions in the western, central and eastern districts of New South Wales. The ectoparasites of these rabbits were identified and counted. The flea Echidnophaga myrmecobii was most frequently found in western districts; the louse Haemadipsus ventricosus was prevalent in the central districts; the mite Listrophorus gibbus was very abundant on rabbits from the eastern districts, whilst the mite Cheyletiella parasitivorax was prevalent on rabbits from central and eastern districts.

The probable consequences of these variations are discussed in relation to their possible effects on the epidemiology of myxomatosis.

This investigation was carried out as part of the study of the biology of the wild rabbit undertaken by the Division of Wildlife Research, CSIRO, under the general supervision of Mr K. Myers. The author is indebted to P. Haycock and Miss S. Stephens for invaluable technical assistance. Messrs I. Parer, M. Stranger, G. Richards, H. Bults, J. Libke and P. Haycock shot the rabbit samples.

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 64 , Issue 2 , April 1972 , pp. 321 - 330
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1972

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Bull, L. B. & Mules, M. W. (1944). An investigation of Myxomatosis cuniculi with special reference to the possible use of the disease to control rabbit populations in Australia. Journal of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Australia 17, 1–15.Google Scholar
Dunsmore, J. D., Williams, R. T. & Price, W. J. (1971). A winter epizootic of myxomatosis in sub-alpine south-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 19, 275–86.Google Scholar
Fenner, F. & Ratcliffe, F. N. (1965). Myxomatosis. Cambridge University Press. 371 pp.Google Scholar
Myers, K. & Gilbert, N. (1968). Determination of age of wild rabbits in Australia. Journal of Wildlife Management 32, 841–9.Google Scholar
Mykytowycz, R. (1958). Contact transmission of infectious myxomatosis of the rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.). CSIRO Wildlife Research 3, 1–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Williams, R. T. (1971). Observations on the behaviour of the European rabbit flea, Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale), on a natural population of wild rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), in Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 19, 41–51.Google Scholar
Williams, R. T. (1972). Observations on the establishment, and seasonal variations in the number, of the European rabbit flea, Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale), on wild rabbits. Journal of Entomology (A) (in the Press).Google Scholar
Williams, R. T., Fullagar, P. J., Davey, C. C. & Kogon, C. (1972). Factors affecting the survival time of rabbits in a winter epizootic of myxomatosis at Canberra, Australia. Journal of Applied Ecology (in the Press).Google Scholar
Williams, R. T. & Parer, I. (1971). Observations on the dispersal of the European rabbit flea, Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale), through a natural population of wild rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.). Australian Journal of Zoology 19, 129–40.CrossRefGoogle Scholar