The European Rabbit: History and Biology of a Successful Colonizer

This book reviews the biology of the rabbit as a successful invader and colonizer, summarizing many long-term scientific studies and the history of efforts to control the rabbit in England, continental Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Prized for its meat and fur--but cursed for its impact on ecosystems and agriculture--the rabbit is often at the center of ecological controversy. The first two chapters describe the origins, evolution, and taxonomy of Oryctolagus cuniculus as well as its natural and assisted spread. The following four chapters cover subjects peculiar to rabbits found in their particular habitat regions, such as reproduction, population dynamics, control operations, behavior, and ecology. The final chapter offers a comprehensive review of myxomatosis, arguably the most important and best-studied epizootic in the history of wildlife management. The book is sure to appeal to ecologists, zoologists, and wildlife managers.