Intra-Uterine Mortality in the Wild Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) in Populations of Low Density

Abstract

The breeding biology of Oryctolagus cuniculus was found to be very different in post-myxomatosis low density populations, compared with high density pre-myxomatosis populations, in Wales. In low density populations, there was no evidence of intra-uterine mortality of entire litters, and the ovulation rate and length of breeding season was greater than in pre-myxomatosis populations. Consequently, the annual productivity of live young per doe in low density populations greatly exceeded that obtaining in high density populations.