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IS NATURALISATION OF THE BROWN HARE IN IRELAND A THREAT TO THE ENDEMIC IRISH HARE?

IS NATURALISATION OF THE BROWN HARE IN IRELAND A THREAT TO THE ENDEMIC IRISH HARE? On islands, one of the greatest risks to native wildlife is the establishment of alien species. In Ireland, the Irish hare ( Lepus timidus hibernicus ), the only native lagomorph, may be at risk from competitive exclusion and hybridisation with naturalised brown hares ( L. europaeus ) that were introduced during the late nineteenth century. Pre- and post-breeding spotlight surveys during 2005 in the north of Ireland determined that brown hare populations are established in mid-Ulster and west Tyrone. In mid-Ulster, brown hares comprised 53%–62% of the hare population, with an estimated abundance of 700–2000 individuals between pre- and post-breeding periods. Comparison of habitat niches suggest that Irish and brown hares have comparable niche breadths that at times completely overlap, suggesting the potential for strong competition between the species. Anecdotal evidence suggests that both species may hybridise. Further research is urgently required to assess the degree of risk that naturalised brown hares pose to the Irish hare population and what action, if any, is needed to ensure the future ecological security and genetic integrity of the native species. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Royal Irish Academy

IS NATURALISATION OF THE BROWN HARE IN IRELAND A THREAT TO THE ENDEMIC IRISH HARE?

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References (70)

Publisher
Royal Irish Academy
Copyright
Copyright © 2007 RIA
ISSN
0791-7945
eISSN
2009-003X
DOI
10.3318/BIOE.2007.107.3.129
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

On islands, one of the greatest risks to native wildlife is the establishment of alien species. In Ireland, the Irish hare ( Lepus timidus hibernicus ), the only native lagomorph, may be at risk from competitive exclusion and hybridisation with naturalised brown hares ( L. europaeus ) that were introduced during the late nineteenth century. Pre- and post-breeding spotlight surveys during 2005 in the north of Ireland determined that brown hare populations are established in mid-Ulster and west Tyrone. In mid-Ulster, brown hares comprised 53%–62% of the hare population, with an estimated abundance of 700–2000 individuals between pre- and post-breeding periods. Comparison of habitat niches suggest that Irish and brown hares have comparable niche breadths that at times completely overlap, suggesting the potential for strong competition between the species. Anecdotal evidence suggests that both species may hybridise. Further research is urgently required to assess the degree of risk that naturalised brown hares pose to the Irish hare population and what action, if any, is needed to ensure the future ecological security and genetic integrity of the native species.

Journal

Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy – Royal Irish Academy

Published: Sep 1, 2007

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