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Ian Falzon

  • Biodiversity Journal, 9 (1): 099-103

    Ian Falzon
    On the coloration of the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Leporidae), in the Maltese Archipelago

    ABSTRACT
    Although most non-scientific literature listing wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Leporidae), in the Maltese islands mentions the occurrence of two colour morphs in the Maltese islands, an attempt at describing in scientific detail such coloration has never been made. Wild rabbits in the Maltese islands occur in two dominant morphs; the grey agouti and the yellow morph. In this article, a detailed description of each variation was given with regards to ‘dorsum’, ‘flanks’, ‘nape’, and ‘ventrum’, as well as the specific descriptions of ‘head’, ‘tail’, and ‘ear tip’. Hair colour bands for both morphs are also given. Predation and camouflage are explored as the major driving force behind the high level of occurrence of the wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus sporting the yellow morph. This when compared to other countries.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 10 (3): 269-274

    Ian Falzon
    Craniometrical studies on the skull of the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Leporidae), in the Maltese archipelago
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2019.10.3.269.274

    ABSTRACT
    The aim of this study is to establish the craniometric data of the rabbit species found on Malta and therefore establish parameters for the anatomical identification. Twenty-eight crania of adult Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Leporidae) were used to establish 15 average indexes. These indexes illustrated a pronounced wedge-shaped head. The Orbital vertical diameter was also considerable, allowing for a very large oculus. Environmental factors could be responsible for this adaptation.