Cottontail rabbits are among the least studied mammal groups in the Americas, falling in the crack between game and non-game species. Accordingly, little remains known regarding even such fundamental questions as: what species are present in particular areas, what are the biological limits of cottontail species, etc. This can be encapsulated by pointing out that a new species was described in 1992 from right outside Washington DC! The investigators therefore propose to conduct genetic analyses of cottontails in order to address their hypothesis that the biological species diversity in cottontails is greater than what our current understanding suggests.
The work is important in biological control. Myxoma virus, used to control European rabbit populations, is naturally found in South American cottontails, the focus of this proposal. We do not know, however, exactly from what species of South American cottontail the virus was originally found. Research into species limits may determine this in conjunction with viral sequencing. In addition, the investigators are proposing to involve students and investigators from the Latin American countries where they will undertake the research. The outreach component will therefore yield long-term productive research benefits to the United States and Latin America.
