Foraging ecology of Eurasian lynx populations in southwest Asia: Conservation implications for a diet specialist

Abstract

Intraspecific variation in key traits of widespread species can be hard to predict, if populations have been very little studied in most of the distribution range. Asian populations of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), one of the most widespread felids worldwide, are such a case in point. We investigated the diet of Eurasian lynx from feces collected Mediterranean, mixed forest‐steppe, and subalpine ecosystems of Turkey. We studied prey preferences and functional responses using prey densities obtained from Random Encounter Modelling. Our analysis revealed that the main prey was brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in all three areas (78%–99% of biomass consumed) and lynx showed a strong preference for brown hare (Chesson's selectivity index, α = 0.90–0.99). Cannibalism contributed at least 5% in two study areas. The type II functional response of lynx populations in Turkey was similar to the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) and daily food intake in grams per lynx matched that of Canada lynx and Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), both lagomorph specialists, rather than those of Eurasian lynx from Europe. Therefore, lynx in Turkey may be better described as a lagomorph specialist even though it coexists with ungulate prey. We suggest that ungulate‐based foraging ecology of Eurasian lynx in Europe may be a recent adjustment to the availability of high densities of ungulates and cannot be representative for other regions like Turkey. The status of lagomorphs should become an essential component of conservation activities targeted at Eurasian lynx or when using this species as a flagship species for landscape preservation.

Non-invasive faecal sampling reveals spatial organization and improves measures of genetic diversity for the conservation assessment of territorial species: Caucasian lynx as a case species

“…The human population in this area is at a low density and restricted to several villages in the surrounding lowland and valleys. Red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) and wild boar ( Sus scrofa ) are the common large herbivores, and brown hare ( Lepus europaeus ) is the main lynx prey species here [15]. The area is home to several other large and medium-sized carnivores, at higher elevations brown bear ( Ursus arctos ) and grey wolf ( Canis lupus ) are sympatric with lynx, and at lower elevations golden jackal ( Canis aureus ), red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) and jungle cat ( Felis chaus ) occur, which rarely occur in lynx and wolf habitat [33].…”

“…well-defined tapered segments [36]) and diameter [37]. Lynx faeces were also collected for the purpose of diet analysis [15]. Based on visual inspection, faeces varied considerably in age.…”

“…Once samples have been collected, genetic markers such as mtDNA and microsatellites can be used to assess genetic variability [5], estimate levels of inbreeding and relatedness [6, 7] and quantify total and effective population sizes [8]. Data acquired from such conservation genetic studies provide important information for efficient conservation actions [9, 10].…”

“…Compared with their north and central European conspecifics, Caucasian lynx display some behavioural and morphological differences. They are lagomorph specialists (similar to the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus ), have a smaller body size [15] and smaller home range sizes, and thus occur in suitable habitats at higher population densities [16] than European subspecies. They live in dry open, rocky and coniferous habitats and scrape mark [15, 17], a marking behaviour that in the genus Lynx is otherwise only observed in bobcats ( Lynx rufus [18]).…”

An Investigation upon DNA Interaction of 2 (3), 9 (10), 16 (17), 23 (24) –Tetrakis 4-(4-(2-phenylprop-2-yl) phenoxy) Phthalocyanine Compound

“…The daily activity preference of lynx was indisputably related to its hunting behaviour [24]. As shown in recent studies, the primary prey of Anatolian populations of lynx was hare [25,26]. Thus, it makes sense that the activity periods preferred by lynx were in correlation with the nocturnal habits of its primary food source.…”