Abstract

BONINO, Never  and  DONADIO, Emiliano. Body parameters and sexual dimorphism in the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) introduced in Argentina. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2010, vol.17, n.1, pp.123-127. ISSN 0327-9383.

We report several body measurements (body weight, and body, tail, ear and hind foot lengths) for Oryctolagus cuniculus from Neuquén province, Argentine Patagonia. Our results showed a clear sexual dimorphism between adult females and adult males, being females significantly heavier and larger than males. Additionally, rabbits from Argentina were significantly heavier than rabbits inhabiting both their original (Europe) or non-original ranges (Australia and Chile). Low predation rates and/or the differential expression of genetic traits could explain the observed pattern.

Keywords : Body measurements; Body weight; Leporidae; Patagonia; Sexual dimorphism.

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