Epidemiology of coccidiosis (Eimeria spp.) in an experimental population of the Australian wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.)

Abstract

The epidemiology of coccidiosis involving Eimeria perforans, E. media, E. stiedae, E. irresidua, E. magna and E. piriformis was studied for a period of 35 months in a free-living population of wild rabbits, confined to an experimental enclosure.Relations between the seasonal fluctuations of the above species, on the one hand, and severity of infection and age and social status of hosts, on the other hand, based on the oocyst counts from 2326 faecal samples collected at regular monthly intervals, are indicated.Mortality within the population was analysed, and coccidiosis was found not to be responsible for the general mortality pattern.Thanks are due to Mr M. Dudzinski of the Division of Mathematical Statistics, C.S.I.R.O., Canberra for statistical analysis of the data. Mr H. McL. Gordon and Dr J. C. Boray of MacMaster Laboratories, C.S.I.R.O., Sydney, and Dr W. L. Nicholas, of the Australian National University, Canberra, read the manuscript and offered many helpful suggestions. Messrs E. R. Hesterman and D. Purchase of the Wildlife Survey Section, C.S.I.R.O., Canberra, provided valuable technical assistance.