Abstract
A total of 2881 rabbits were shot during 1962-64 in regular samples from four
sites representing different climatic regions in eastern Australia. Samples of the faeces
were examined for coccidial oocysts. Seven species of Eimeria (E. stiedae, E. media,
E. perforans, E. irresidua, E. magna, E. piriformis, and E. exigua) were recorded.
Dried lens weight and paunched (eviscerated) body weight of the rabbits were used
as estimates of age. A decrease in oocyst output with increasing age of the rabbit
was apparent when progeny of particular breeding seasons were followed and when
all data were grouped together at the subalpine site. Linear regression analysis
showed that the decrease was greatest at the subalpine site, where the young had high
oocyst counts, less in the subtropical and Mediterranean climates, and virtually
absent at the arid site. The rate of the decrease varied between species; it was greatest
for E. magna and was slight and variable in occurrence for E. piriformis.
Adult rabbits transported from the arid site to infected pasture in Canberra
were found from 1 to 10 weeks after release to have an oocyst count comparable to that
of young rabbits at the subalpine site. Cage-reared progeny of the rabbits from the
arid site were more susceptible to accidental infection than cage-reared progeny of
rabbits from the temperate southern tablelands of New South Wales.
Subject
Animal Science and Zoology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cited by
16 articles.
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