Fertility of the European Brown Hare in Italy
Author Information
Author(s): Pierangelo Freschi, Carlo Cosentino, Egidio Mallia, Valter Trocchi
Primary Institution: Department of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences (DAFE), University of Basilicata
Hypothesis
How does the reproductive performance of the European brown hare vary across different environments in Italy?
Conclusion
The study found significant variations in the fertility of the European brown hare, with higher rates in coastal areas compared to mountainous regions.
Supporting Evidence
- Fertility was highest in areas closest to the coast.
- Seasonal fertility peaked in May across all areas.
- Significant differences in fertility were observed between mountainous and plain areas.
Takeaway
This study looked at how many baby hares are born in different places in Italy, finding that more babies are born near the coast than in the mountains.
Methodology
The study analyzed endometrial scars in collected hares to measure fertility across four hunting districts in Italy.
Potential Biases
Potential overestimation of litter size due to undetected embryo resorption.
Limitations
The study focused only on adult females, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The study involved 78 adult female hares collected from four different hunting districts.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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