Hare harvest and EBHS virus prevalence in differently populated Mediterranean ecotopes

Abstract

Brown hare (Lepus europaeus) is an important widely distributed game species. The ecological conditions of its distribution and the population density are being studied with respect to hunting economics and the species management. In this study, we aimed to establish a connection between the hare harvest, the hare abundance and the occurrence of European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) infection in hares in Hellas (Greece). Taken into consideration the variability of the ecotopes in nearby areas in the Mediterranean ecosystems, this study was carried out in seven different ecotopes in an area of 6601 km2. In overall, 291 hares harvested by hunters during the hunting periods were included in this study. The ecotopes where the hares were harvested were recorded, and the hare abundance was estimated in each ecotope. RT-PCR was used for the detection of EBHSV infection in hares. The greatest harvest per unit area was recorded in areas with mosaic of cereals and woody vegetation. However, the hare population density was higher in shrublands and olive groves. The higher EBHSV infection prevalence was recorded in olive groves, followed by mixed cultivations, shrublands and mosaic. Hare harvest and EBHSV infection prevalence were related with the hare abundance, while hare harvest and EBHSV infection prevalence were not related with each other. Our findings suggest that ecotope has a higher influence as a limiting factor for hare population density and harvest than the EBHSV infection. The classification of ecotopes as hare habitats and the estimation of hunting harvest and disease prevalence could contribute to a more effective and site-specific management of harvest, habitat improvement priorities and disease control measures. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.