Effects of Population Declines on Habitat Segregation and Activity Patterns of Rabbits and Hares in Doñana National Park, Spain

A significant shift in habitat use and activity patterns among European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) in Doñana National Park, Spain, has been linked to population declines caused by virus-borne diseases. Initially, rabbits were confined to scrublands while hares occupied marshlands, with both species sharing rush and fern belt ecotones. However, following a decline in rabbit populations due to disease outbreaks between 2005–2016, hares expanded their habitat use into scrublands, previously exclusive to rabbits. This shift is attributed to reduced competition and predation pressure from the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), a rabbit specialist, which nearly disappeared due to the decline in its primary prey. Consequently, generalist predators increased, leading both lagomorph species to adopt nocturnal activity patterns to avoid higher predation risks during the day.

Beltrán, J. F., Rau, J. R., Soriguer, R. C., Kufner, M. B., Delibes, M., & Carro, F. (2022). Effects of Population Declines on Habitat Segregation and Activity Patterns of Rabbits and Hares in Doñana National Park, Spain. Land, 11(4), 461. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11040461