Iberian Rabbit Confirmed as Unique Species Facing Threat

Scientists in Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom have confirmed the Iberian rabbit is a distinct species, Oryctolagus algirus, after two million years of separate evolution from the European rabbit. Previously considered a subspecies, genetic analysis revealed significant differences in morphology, behavior, and reproduction.

Researchers from the Instituto de Estudios Sociales Avanzados (IESA-CSIC) published their findings in Biological Conservation. The distinction is important because Iberian rabbit populations in Portugal and southwestern Spain have declined by over 50% in the last decade due to disease, habitat loss, and landscape changes.

WWF is urging Spanish and Portuguese authorities to officially recognize the new species to adapt conservation strategies. The Iberian rabbit is a keystone species in Mediterranean ecosystems, crucial for the survival of the Iberian lynx and the Iberian imperial eagle, as well as providing habitat for other animals. Failure to acknowledge its unique status hinders effective conservation efforts.