The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a
high-profile prey, native from the Iberian Peninsula, the only
region in the world where the two rabbit subspecies (O.
cuniculus algirus and O. cuniculus cuniculus) currently
co-exist in natural conditions. In this area, this important
prey represents a keystone species and ecosystem engineer
of Mediterranean landscapes, being also the most
... [Show full abstract] harvested
and one of the most managed small-game species.
Additionally, the species can create damage to crops in some
parts of the Iberian Peninsula where it is regarded as an
agricultural pest. The scientific interest towards the species
is becoming increasingly apparent most likely as a repercussion
of declining population trends over the last decades.
The latter has been the result of the impact of habitat
deterioration, viral diseases, unsustainable hunting, and predation.
In this paper, I present a review of the scientific
literature currently available on the European rabbit in the
Iberian Peninsula. I discuss knowledge gaps and highlight
priority research guidelines to suppress them, in an attempt
to provide a general perspective to target research efforts
more effectively. This analysis is particularly relevant due to
the current vulnerability of rabbit populations in Iberia and
to the recent news of cuts in scientific funding in most
Mediterranean countries.