Management of an EBHSV-infected lagomorph invasion in some Italian regions using Z-type control method

FrancescaAcotto

Università di Torino, Italy

"Management of an EBHSV-infected lagomorph invasion in some Italian regions using Z-type control method"

The introduction of eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) for hunting purposes has influenced the local predator-prey dynamics of native European hares (Lepus europaeus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in some northern and central regions of Italy. No direct competition seems to occur between the two lagomorphs, but invasive cottontails cause hyperpredation of red foxes on native prey and are also carriers of viruses and parasites which can potentially affect European hares. Specifically, eastern cottontails may be infected by the European Brown Hare Syndrome Virus (EBHSV) which causes a disease characterized by acute necrotizing hepatitis, which infects European hares and leads to high mortality. We focus on the situation in which EBHSV-infected eastern cottontails are introduced in a virus-free region of European hares and red foxes. To possibly give indications to ecosystem managers to mitigate the negative effects of this lagomorph invasion, we look at two possible biological control actions using the Z-type control method on a four-population reference system. In particular, we consider an indirect control of invasive prey acting on predators and a combination of this indirect control with direct control of native prey.
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