Should the 40-year-old practice of releasing virulent myxoma virus to control rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) be continued?
Article
Article Title | Should the 40-year-old practice of releasing virulent myxoma virus to control rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) be continued? |
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ERA Journal ID | 3020 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Berman, D. (Author), Kerr, P. J. (Author), Stagg, R. (Author), van Leeuwen, B. H. (Author) and Gonzalez, T. (Author) |
Journal Title | Wildlife Research |
Journal Citation | 33 (7), pp. 549-556 |
Number of Pages | 8 |
Year | 2006 |
Publisher | CSIRO Publishing |
Place of Publication | Australia |
ISSN | 1035-3712 |
1448-5494 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1071/WR05004 |
Web Address (URL) | http://www.publish.csiro.au/wr/WR05004 |
Abstract | Release of virulent myxoma virus has been a key component of rabbit-control operations in Queensland, Australia, since the 1960s but its use rests on anecdotal reports. During a routine operation to release virulent myxoma virus we found no evidence to support the continued regular use of the technique in south-west Queensland. Radio- tagged rabbits inoculated with virulent myxoma virus contracted the disease but failed to pass enough virus to other rabbits to spread the disease. Rabbits with clinical signs of myxomatosis that were shot were infected with field strain derived from the original laboratory strain released in 1950 rather than the virulent strain that has been released annually. There was no change in rabbit survival or abundance caused by the release. Nevertheless, the release of virulent virus may be useful against isolated pockets of rabbits mainly because field strains are less likely to be present. Such pockets are more common now that rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus is established in Queensland. |
Keywords | wild rabbits, myxoma virus |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 410499. Environmental management not elsewhere classified |
Byline Affiliations | Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland |
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia | |
Australian National University | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q4vyw/should-the-40-year-old-practice-of-releasing-virulent-myxoma-virus-to-control-rabbits-oryctolagus-cuniculus-be-continued
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