Work

Fertility of the European Brown Hare Across Plain, Hill and Mountain Environments in the Italian Peninsula

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines the reproductive performance of the European brown hare in Italy, focusing on four hunting districts in Basilicata (A1, A2) and Emilia–Romagna (A3, A4) and using the number of endometrial scars as a fertility indicator. Fertility, measured as the number of scars during the entire reproductive period, was highest in A1 (11.50 ± 1.64) and A4 (11.43 ± 1.01), followed by A3 (9.56 ± 1.09) and A2 (6.08 ± 1.34). Significant differences were found when comparing the mountain area (A2) with A4 (p < 0.01) and with A1 and A3 (p < 0.05). Regarding the overall monthly number of scars per individual across the four study areas, the highest value (3.16 ± 0.18) was observed in May, followed by March (2.74 ± 0.18), April (2.67 ± 0.20), June (2.57 ± 0.20), February (2.53 ± 0.34), July (2.40 ± 0.22), and August (2.19 ± 0.31). A correlation analysis identified a weak yet statistically significant positive relationship (r = 0.532; p = 0.036) between the Kerner Oceanity Index (with values of 16.87, 15.00, 8.45, and 11.11 in A1, A2, A3, and A4, respectively) and the number of scars per pregnancy across the four study areas. Understanding species’ reproductive dynamics is vital for assessing habitat suitability and creating strategies to sustain hare populations and their ecosystem roles.

Source: Animals

DOI: 10.3390/ani14243690

Authors: Pierangelo Freschi, Carlo Cosentino, Egidio Mallia, Valter Trocchi

Institutions: University of Basilicata, Regione Basilicata

Language: English

Topic: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,728

Funders: Regione Basilicata, Regione Emilia-Romagna