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de Ayala, R.P.; Prudencio, G.; Bernardos, P.; Santos, A.E.; Palacios, M.J.; Gabaldon, L.; Sanz, A.; Celio, P.; Duarte, M.; arrido, F.;,; lanco-Aguiar, J.A.;,; izana, V.;,; ilva, V.;,; ilvestre, F.;,; arvalho, J.;,; errera, J.;,; elgado, J.M.;,; urgos, T.;,; ernandez-Lopez, J.;,; antamaria, A.E.;,
The rabbit beyond its role as lynx prey: improving knowledge on a keystone species
2024  Cat News Special Issue (17): 42-48

The Iberian lynx _Lynx pardinus_ is a trophic specialist. Among mammals, its dependence on rabbits_ Oryctolagus cuniculus_ is paradigmatic. They account for more than 80% of the biomass of the feline's diet, up to 99% in some cases. Moreover, lynx productivity and the survival rates of cubs and sub-adults depend on rabbit population densities. Beyond its role as the main prey of the Iberian lynx, the rabbit deserves prominence for itself. European rabbit populations in their natural distribution range were classified as Endangered in 2018 by IUCN, after a sharp decline of more than 70% between 2008-2018. Rabbit population monitoring is the first essential step for an adequate management of both lynx and rabbit populations. Monitoring in the Iberian Peninsula has been characterised by the lack of common methodologies among regions, which prevents reliable, updated and comparable data from being obtained at the Iberian scale. This lack of information on the status of rabbit populations, the incidence of diseases or their impact on agriculture greatly complicates its management - and thus fuels the human-wildlife conflict. To address this complex situation, the LIFE Iberconejo project was launched in 2021. Up to date, LIFE Iberconejo has been able to develop 1) an European rabbit coordination committee ERICC, 2) a common, Iberian-scale monitoring system for the species, (population and health status and damage to crops), and 3) good management practices for the species. The goal of LIFE Iberconejo is to establish a longterm, evidence-based management of the European Rabbit. Preliminary monitoring results have helped identify "stepping stones" within the frame of LIFE LynxConnect.

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