Effect of Myxoma Virus Species Jump on Iberian Hare Populations

Abstract

The myxoma virus species jump from European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) to Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) has raised concerns. We assess the decline suffered by Iberian hare populations on the Iberian Peninsula and discuss the association between the effect of myxomatosis and the average abundance index, which we estimated by using hunting bags.

Keywords

• myxoma virus
• Iberian hare
• Lepus granatensis
• population decline
• recombinant myxoma virus
• Iberian Peninsula