Predation of Lepus europaeus (LAGOMORPHA: LEPORIDAE) by Bubo virginianus (STRIGIFORMES: STRIGIDAE) in far southern Brazil

Authors

  • Felipe Bortolotto Peters Universidade Luterana do Brasil
  • Paulo Ricardo de Oliveira Roth Universidade Luterana do Brasil
  • Ademir Alfredo Jeronimo ULBRA
  • Maurício da Silveira Pereira ULBRA
  • Fernando Poerschke ULBRA
  • Leonardo Ferreira Machado ULBRA
  • Alexandre Uarth Christoff ULBRA

Keywords:

Lebre européia, jacurutu, APA do Ibirapuitã, bioma Pampa.

Abstract

Biological invasions are among the main threats to global biodiversity. They severely modify ecosystems by introducing diseases, predators and increasing direct competition for resources with native species; they also affect public health and rural economy. The expansion of cultivated areas favors the population explosion of the European hare (Lepus europaeus) on the lowlands of the Pampa biome. This increase in population size is caused by the reduction of potential predators due to hunting pressure, roadkills and habitat loss. Therefore, the present work aims to confirm that the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) preys upon the exotic hare L. europaeus in Ibirapuitã Environmental Protection Area, Santana do Livramento municipality, Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil.

Author Biography

Felipe Bortolotto Peters, Universidade Luterana do Brasil

Departamento de Biologia, Museu de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Luterana do Brasil

Published

2010-05-18

Issue

Section

Articles