What are the keys to the adaptive success of the wild rabbit?
The rabbit is a key species of the Mediterranean ecosystem (I will explain what that is later) but I can tell you what it means that this species is very important in its ecosystem. In addition, it has been proven that the European rabbit is an invasive species that is also considered in danger of extinction. This is very, very rare and they call it «The 21st Century Conservation Paradox». For this reason, studies that focus on knowing the adaptation mechanisms of these animals are very necessary.
Researchers analyzed in scientific work what these biological adaptation mechanisms are to find the strengths and weaknesses of these animals. Effects related to nutrition, behavior, genetics,
reproduction, among others, were analyzed. The rabbit is an animal with very good adaptations: On a nutritional level they eat almost everything (generalist animals) and also practice something a bit strange but that comes in handy to make better use of water and nutrients (they eat their own excrement ) At the reproductive level, they are also machines and even their immunology is very good. So why is it in danger of extinction?
Keep reading that this is very rare. To control the populations, some diseases were illegally introduced () that have drastically reduced these populations (In addition to being tremendously dangerous). As a consequence, we have to find mechanisms that allow
animals better “cope” with these challenges. There are many immunological aspects that can be behind this problem, but it seems that nutrition could be one of the causes. In part, this is where the idea of ’Conservation Through Nutrition’ comes from. After all, a well-nourished animal is a healthy animal and one that will get less sick, right?
In summary, if humans have caused such an adaptable animal to be in danger of extinction, it is that we are doing something wrong. But this message is not intended to burden us with guilt, the other way around. We can improve this situation!
We can create specific conservation programs for these animals since, as we have said, many animals and plants are highly dependent on this animal. Some examples of them are the Iberian lynx and the imperial eagle, animals that have specialized in eating this type of animal.
The rabbit is a key species of the Mediterranean ecosystem (I will explain what that is later) but I can tell you what it means that this species is very important in its ecosystem. In addition, it has been proven that the European rabbit is an invasive species that is also considered in danger of extinction. This is very, very rare and they call it «The 21st Century Conservation Paradox». For this reason, studies that focus on knowing the adaptation mechanisms of these animals are very necessary.
Researchers analyzed in scientific work what these biological adaptation mechanisms are to find the strengths and weaknesses of these animals. Effects related to nutrition, behavior, genetics, reproduction, among others, were analyzed. The rabbit is an animal with very good adaptations: On a nutritional level they eat almost everything (generalist animals) and also practice something a bit strange but that comes in handy to make better use of water and nutrients (they eat their own excrement ) At the reproductive level, they are also machines and even their immunology is very good. So why is it in danger of extinction?
Keep reading that this is very rare. To control the populations, some diseases were illegally introduced () that have drastically reduced these populations (In addition to being tremendously dangerous). As a consequence, we have to find mechanisms that allow animals better “cope” with these challenges.
There are many immunological aspects that can be behind this problem, but it seems that nutrition could beone of the causes. In part, this is where the idea of ’Conservation Through Nutrition’ comes from. After all, a well-nourished animal is a healthy animal and one that will get less sick, right?
In summary, if humans have caused such an adaptable animal to be in danger of extinction, it is that we are doing something wrong. But this message is not intended to burden us with guilt, the other way around. We can improve this situation!
We can create specific conservation programs for these animals since, as we have said, many animals and plants are highly dependent on this animal. Some examples of them are the Iberian lynx and the imperial eagle, animals that have specialized in eating this type of animal.
The rabbit is a key species of the Mediterranean ecosystem (I will explain what that is later) but I can tell you what it means that this species is very important in its ecosystem. In addition, it has been proven that the European rabbit is an invasive species that is also considered in danger of extinction. This is very, very rare and they call it «The 21st Century Conservation Paradox». For this reason, studies that focus on knowing the adaptation mechanisms of these animals are very necessary.
Researchers analyzed in scientific work what these biological adaptation mechanisms are to find the strengths and weaknesses of these animals. Effects related to nutrition, behavior, genetics, reproduction, among others, were analyzed. The rabbit is an animal with very good adaptations: On a nutritional level they eat almost everything (generalist animals) and also practice something a bit strange but that comes in handy to make better use of water and nutrients (they eat their own excrement ) At the reproductive level, they are also machines and even their immunology is very good. So why is it in danger of extinction?
Keep reading that this is very rare. To control the populations, some diseases were illegally introduced () that have drastically reduced these populations (In addition to being tremendously dangerous). As a consequence, we have to find mechanisms that allow
animals better “cope” with these challenges. There are many immunological aspects that can be behind this problem, but it seems that nutrition could be one of the causes. In part, this is where the idea of ’Conservation Through Nutrition’ comes from. After all, a well-nourished animal is a healthy animal and one that will get less sick, right?
In summary, if humans have caused such an adaptable animal to be in danger of extinction, it is that we are doing something wrong. But this message is not intended to burden us with guilt, the other way around. We can improve this situation!
We can create specific conservation programs for these animals since, as we have said, many animals and plants are highly dependent on this animal. Some examples of them are the Iberian lynx and the imperial eagle, animals that have specialized in eating this type of animal.
Published by:
Pablo Jesús Marín García