The wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) diet on a sand dune area in central Portugal: a contribution towards management

The wild rabbit plays a fundamental role on Iberian habitats, not only as a target prey in natural trophic chains but also as an elected game species. Recently and all over the Iberian Peninsula, wild rabbit populations havebeen decreasing as a result of several adverse conditions. Among other parameters, the wild rabbit feeding behaviour must be understood in order to effectively manage rabbit populations. The main aim of the present studyis to describe the wild rabbit diet in a sand dune area in Portugal.Diet composition was obtained by micro-histological analysis of faeces collected over a two-year period on two different landscape units: scrubland and pine forest. Diet data indicated significant differences when comparing Winters and Summers in scrublands, while in pine forest areas diet was similar along seasons. Using a finer scale by comparing plant species or genera, differences were also found in the wild rabbit Winter diet inscrubland areas. With respect to taxa, the wild rabbit diet in scrublands is different from that found in pine forest areas throughout the year.Results emphasise that although lacking some plant species, Pine forest areas allow a seasonal selection of food items. Furthermore, the present study highlights the importance of the preservation of particular habitats that support specific vegetation such as Cyperacea and Juncaceae plants.