**2.2 "Type II" material**

Type II concerns animals with one or more specific character:


Most of Type II populations mainly have a scientific interest with high experimental values. Some populations could be promoted in biomedical research and by the pharmaceutical industry.

#### **2.3 "Type III" material**

Type III regroups all the populations of rabbits selected for meat production (female lines and male lines) or fur production with high economic value.

Some strains are today completely extinct and subsist only under embryo-frozen form waiting for a possible perspective of reuse or selection scheme reorientation (Dutch hymalayan, Orylag, INRA 1077 female strains…).

Other populations are still selected and the frozen biologic material represents a selection control to measure genetic progress precisely. Moreover, for security, several populations commercially spread are subject to regular cryoconservation in order to save the selection core from a sanitary risk (Inra 2066, commercial lines of Hypharm and Hycole societies…)

Rabbit « Fauve de Bourgogne » (type I) adapted to a traditionnal breeding system

Rabbit « Brun Marron de Lorraine » (type I), endangered breed

Rabbit « Orylag® castor (type III) bred for its "Rex" fur

Rabbit "Sauteurs d'Alfort" (type II). They move on forlegs when they are stressed

Fig. 1. Examples of different categories of rabbits
