ECOLOGY
Apart of the Leporidae (hare) family, the pygmy rabbit is scientifically referred to as the Brachylagus idahoensis species and has no recognizable subspecies. It is also one of the only known rabbit species to dig its own burrow. They use these burrows to escape from predators. Pygmy rabbits are most active during dusk and dawn and typically have a lifespan of 3-5 years. They have a short breeding season and can begin reproduction the year after birth (fws.gov).
Apart of the Leporidae (hare) family, the pygmy rabbit is scientifically referred to as the Brachylagus idahoensis species and has no recognizable subspecies. It is also one of the only known rabbit species to dig its own burrow. They use these burrows to escape from predators. Pygmy rabbits are most active during dusk and dawn and typically have a lifespan of 3-5 years. They have a short breeding season and can begin reproduction the year after birth (fws.gov).
DISTRIBUTION
The Pygmy Rabbit is the smallest rabbit in North America and has been residing in the western United States for the past 100,000 years (wa.gov).The local distribution of pygmy rabbits shifts depending on weather conditions within their patchy habitat. Historically, they range from the Columbia Plateau to the Great Basin encompassing several states such as Washington, Idaho, California, Wyoming, and Nevada. Particularly, the Columbia Basin population in Washington has been isolated from its normal species range for over 10,000 years resulting in a drastic reduction in biological fitness from a loss of genetic diversity (nwf.org).
The Pygmy Rabbit is the smallest rabbit in North America and has been residing in the western United States for the past 100,000 years (wa.gov).The local distribution of pygmy rabbits shifts depending on weather conditions within their patchy habitat. Historically, they range from the Columbia Plateau to the Great Basin encompassing several states such as Washington, Idaho, California, Wyoming, and Nevada. Particularly, the Columbia Basin population in Washington has been isolated from its normal species range for over 10,000 years resulting in a drastic reduction in biological fitness from a loss of genetic diversity (nwf.org).
 |
| Columbia Basin in Washington: Image taken from wikimedia |
 |
| Photo from the Oregon Zoo: Image taken from oregonzoo.org |
THREATS
According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Washington population of pygmy rabbits exhibits significantly less genetic diversity than those existing outside of isolation. As a result, the pygmy rabbits suffer from an inbreeding depression. This decreases their genetic diversity and makes them highly susceptible to disease nearly causing them to go extinct in 2001. The Washington population of pygmy rabbits were fully listed as an endangered species in March, 2003 under the Endangered Species Act. They live in tall, dense sagebrush that is crucial for their survival for it provides both food and shelter. Dense sagebrush is also used as a corridor between core areas for the rabbits to travel through. Unfortunately, European settlement has disrupted this flow by converting their habitat for agricultural and grazing purposes (fws.org)
According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Washington population of pygmy rabbits exhibits significantly less genetic diversity than those existing outside of isolation. As a result, the pygmy rabbits suffer from an inbreeding depression. This decreases their genetic diversity and makes them highly susceptible to disease nearly causing them to go extinct in 2001. The Washington population of pygmy rabbits were fully listed as an endangered species in March, 2003 under the Endangered Species Act. They live in tall, dense sagebrush that is crucial for their survival for it provides both food and shelter. Dense sagebrush is also used as a corridor between core areas for the rabbits to travel through. Unfortunately, European settlement has disrupted this flow by converting their habitat for agricultural and grazing purposes (fws.org)
Habitat
loss and fragmentation is the leading threat of the pygmy rabbit and has caused
the greatest decline in their population levels. For the past 160 years, their
sagebrush habitat has been converted to agricultural use, development, and
livestock. This fragmentation disrupts their dispersal patterns from the loss
of corridors. Other threats include widespread disease, frequent wildfire, and constant
predation. It is important that they have plenty of shrub-cover and loose soil to
provide a burrow-escape for any avian predators. Common predators include coyotes,
badgers, weasels, and ravens that like to feed in sagebrush-steppes (wdfw.wa.gov).
RECOVERY PLAN
Luckily, an elaborate recovery plan for the Washington population has been amended in 2001. Below is a list of the main actions taken. For a more extensive description of the plan click here.
Luckily, an elaborate recovery plan for the Washington population has been amended in 2001. Below is a list of the main actions taken. For a more extensive description of the plan click here.
- First, monitor the Columbia Basin rabbits to record population trends and occurrences.
- Protect the rabbits by reducing potential wildfires, setting restrictions on vehicular access, and establishing burning permit rules. If necessary, reduce predation to keep the rabbit population from declining.
- Manage their habitat by maintaining their resources and establish other habitats to start new populations.
- Negotiate with landowners and public agencies to inform and manage their grazing practices and provide alternative actions in an attempt to spare the pygmy population.
- Contact managers within the pygmy vicinity to inform them of common management measures that directly affect this endangered species. Lastly, set up education programs to spread awareness and help inform the community.
 |
| Pygmy Rabbit sagebrush habitat in Washington's Columbia Basin: Image taken from taichicenter-chicago.com |
SOURCES
http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/2003/03-5076.html
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/pygmy_rabbit/
http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Animals/Archives/2013/Return-of-the-Mighty-Pygmy
http://www.fws.gov/nevada/nv_species/pygmy_rabbit.html
http://www.westernwatersheds.org/issues/species/pygmy-rabbits/
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/relevance/IIIA1Inbreeding.shtml
No comments:
Post a Comment