Biometrical analysis reveals major differences between the two subspecies of the European rabbit

The climatic oscillations that have occurred in the last few million years have strongly affected species distribution ranges. Highly divergent genetic lineages arose, some of which correspond to recognized subspecies that currently occupy small geographical areas. Understanding the implications of...

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Published in:	Biological journal of the Linnean Society Vol. 116; no. 1; pp. 106 - 116
Main Authors:	Ferreira, Catarina Campos, Castro, Francisca, Piorno, Vicente, Barrio, Isabel Catalán, Delibes-Mateos, Miguel, Rouco, Carlos, Mínguez, Luis E., Aparicio, Fernando, Blanco-Aguiar, José A., Ramírez, Esther, Iriarte, Candelaria, Ríos-Saldaña, Carlos A., Cañadilla, Jesús, Arias de Reyna, Luis, Ferreras, Pablo, Alves, Paulo C., Villafuerte, Rafael
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-09-2015 Oxford University Press
Subjects:	Biometrics body mass ear length Evolutionarily Significant Units Habitat utilization hind foot length Indigenous species lagomorphs morphology native range Oryctolagus cuniculus Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus Oryctolagus cuniculus cuniculus ANE, Europe, Iberian Peninsula
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Summary:	The climatic oscillations that have occurred in the last few million years have strongly affected species distribution ranges. Highly divergent genetic lineages arose, some of which correspond to recognized subspecies that currently occupy small geographical areas. Understanding the implications of the genetic differences between these subspecies is crucial for proper conservation of Evolutionarily Significant Units. We use the two European rabbit subspecies, Oryctolagus cuniculus cuniculus and O. c. algirus, in the Iberian Peninsula as a model to investigate the repercussions at the biometric level of their largely recognized genetic differentiation. To accomplish this we analysed the ear and hind foot length, and the body mass of 999 adult rabbits from 27 locations across the distribution range of both subspecies in their native range, the Iberian Peninsula. Our results show biometric differences between the two subspecies, also explained by geographical location and sex, O. c. algirus being lighter and having shorter ear and hind foot lengths. We examine these findings under an evolutionary framework, and discuss their implications for current conservation efforts. Future research should focus on the ecological implications of these biometric differences, namely potential different habitat use and anti‐predatory strategies in the species' native range.
Bibliography:	Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia of the Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Portuguese government - No. SFRH/BD/22084/2005; No. SFRH/BPD/88643/2012; No. SFRH⁄ BPD⁄65464⁄2009 FCT Sabbatical Grant - No. SFRH/BSAB/1278/2012 istex:99C9FFE26AC9CA2E6230A51924548C400D39B4CF National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico Figure S1. Protocol for biometric measures in the wild rabbit: A, ear length; B, hind foot length. Drawings by J. López-Rojas. Table S1. Ear, and hind foot lengths and body mass (mean ± SD) of 999 adult male and female rabbits from 27 sites sampled across the Iberian Peninsula. NA represents populations where n = 1 and hence SD could not be calculated. FLAD ark:/67375/WNG-Q4HSHJNN-6 ArticleID:BIJ12556 European Union's Seventh Framework Programme - No. 267226 European Regional Development Fund - No. PAI06-170; No. VP-0119-07; No. POII09-0099-2557; No. CGL2009-11665; No. 2012-30E060; No. CGL2013-43197; No. CGL2013-43197-R; No. PTDC/BIA-EVF/111368/2009 Consejería de Economía, Inovación, Ciencia y Empleo of Junta de Andalucía ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0024-4066 1095-8312
DOI:	10.1111/bij.12556