INTRODUCTION

The history, ecology and genetics of the European rabbit and the two viruses, myxoma virus and calicivirus, used to control the rabbit in Australia offer a useful set of parallels and insights into the behaviour of such systems. In this review, the process of invasion of Australia by the rabbit and the consequent invasions of the Australian rabbit population by myxoma virus and a calicivirus are described.

THE RABBIT

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) evolved in what is now the Iberian Peninsula and southern France in Europe. During classic antiquity, mariners moved rabbits to islands in the Mediterranean. The species was then spread by human agencies across much of western Europe and, finally, during the age of European colonization of other parts of the world, populations were established on hundreds of islands and several continents (Thompson & King, 1994). The rabbit arrived in Australia from England with the first European settlers in 1788. Over the next 70 years, rabbits were repeatedly brought to Australia and on occasion either escaped or were released into the wild. While some of these populations survived and a few spread slowly, they did not thrive (Rolls, 1984; Stodart & Parer, 1988).

Invasion

In 1859, this pattern changed with the arrival in Australia of a shipment of 13 rabbits from near Glastonbury in England. These were taken to Barwon Park, a property near Geelong in Victoria, where they were cosseted as their numbers built up. Eventually they escaped or were released from their enclosures. They were also distributed as gifts by the owner to his friends and associates.