Habitat correlates of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) distributionafter the spread of RVHD in Cadiz Province, Spain

European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus abundance was evaluated relative to h abitat variables within two zones in Cadiz Province (south-east Spain), 2 y ears after the spread of rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease (RVHD). The stud y areas were low-lying regions of mixed pasture/agriculture, Mediterranean forest and matorral, west (Zone A) and east (Zone B) of the Sierra de Cadiz mountain chain. A total of 111 sites was selected to sample all existing h abitat types. Relative rabbit density in each site was estimated using a pe llet count method in one 50 x 2 m transect. Mean pellet densities were 21.0 5 pellet m(-2) in Zone B and significantly lower, 5.85 pellets m(-2) in Zon e A. Physical variables, such as vegetation characteristics (density, heigh t and patchiness of cover-layer vegetation, etc.), topographical characteri stics and human influences, cover-layer vegetation species (woody stemmed s hrub species or trees forming dense stands), and ground-layer vegetation sp ecies (herbaceous species forming a low-lying layer) were determined within transects. In addition to these variables, soil types, rock type and land form, as well as the presence of aquifers, irrigation, and the proximity of rivers, were determined for each site. Significantly higher pellet densiti es were found in mixed grassland/matorral and cork oak/matorral than in all other habitats. Pellet density was negatively correlated with density of g round-layer vegetation, while high pellet densities were associated with me dium-height ground-layer vegetation (50-100 cm). The presence of Entisols w as negatively associated with pellet density. The cover-layer species Pista cia lentiscus, Quercus coccifera, Quercus suber, Opuntia ficus-indica and t he ground-layer grasses all showed positive associations with pellet densit y, while the ground-layer species Echium gaditana and Scorpiurus vermiculat us were negatively associated with pellet density. Multivariate analyses id entified the mixed grassland/matorral and cork oak forest/matorral habitats as explaining most of the variation in pellet density. The height of cover -layer vegetation was negatively associated, while Opuntia and table-and/ca lcareous sandstone were positively associated, with mixed grassland/matorra l. Distance from habitation and human impact were negatively associated and Quercus suber was positively associated with cork oak forest/matorral. Com parison with previous studies suggest that the low pellet counts in this st udy represent very low rabbit densities and the population as a whole appea rs depleted and fragmented.