RABBIT AND MAN - GENETIC AND HISTORIC APPROACH

New data on mitochondrial DNA polymorphism in Oryctolagus cuniculus co nfirm the existence of 2 maternal lineages which are geographically we ll separated. They provide evidence in favour of northern Spain (and p ossibly southern France) as a refuge area for rabbit populations durin g the last major glaciation. Osteological analysis leads to the discri mination of populations and the recognition of discrete qualitative ch aracters, which provide additional markers to describe population dive rsity. Characterization of different domains of mtDNA from ancient bon es was used as a tool to resolve the general question of the origin of present populations. Results obtained from ancient and present rabbit s living in Zembra (Tunisia) showed that the present-day population ha s descended from animals present on the island some 2 000 years ago. A rchaeozoological data provide evidence for their introduction by Bronz e Age, Punic or Roman people.