Check List 7(4): 565-566, doi: 10.15560/7.4.565
Mammalia, Lagomorpha, Leporidae, Oryctolagus cuniculus Linneaus, 1758: new record and its potential dispersal corridors for northern Mendoza, Argentina
Maria Fernanda Cuevas,
Veronica Chillo,
Ariadna Marchetta,
Ricardo A. Ojeda
Corresponding author:
Maria Cuevas
(
fcuevas@mendoza-conicet.gob.ar
)
© 2017 Maria Cuevas, Veronica Chillo, Ariadna Marchetta, Ricardo Ojeda. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Cuevas M, Marchetta A, Chillo V, Ojeda R (2016) Mammalia, Lagomorpha, Leporidae, Oryctolagus cuniculus Linneaus, 1758: new record and its potential dispersal corridors for northern Mendoza, Argentina. Check List 7(4): 565-566. https://doi.org/10.15560/7.4.565 | |
Abstract
The introduction of exotic species can cause important changes in the structure and function of natural ecosystems. This note reports the introduction of the European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, into Villavicencio Natural Reserve in Mendoza, Argentina. Individuals were introduced from a breeding facility within the reserve. This study assessed the possible establishment of the species as well as its potential dispersal corridors. Our findings suggest that the rabbit could be using the riverbeds as dispersal corridors. We consider that O. cuniculus is in the establishment stage and can become a potential invader of new environments in the reserve and surrounding areas.