Use of population viability analysis to evaluate management options for the endangered Lower Keys marsh rabbit

Population viability analysis has been used to assess the extinction probability of the Lower Keys marsh rabbit, a federally endangered lagomorph found in the Lower Keys of Florida. It was possible to determine the mortality rate and variation in this rate for marsh rabbits through their sex and developmental stage. It was found that the marsh rabbit has a polygynous breeding system. Some males overlapped with more females than other males, but all males overlapped with at least one female at some time, showing that all males were in the breeding pool. It appears that survival rates must be increased if the marsh rabbit is to avoid extinction.