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John D. C. Linnell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Eurasian Lynx fitness shows little variation across scandinavian human dominated landscapes
Scientific Reports, 2019Co-Authors: John Odden, John D. C. Linnell, Jens Persson, Malin Aronsson, Jose Vicente Lopezbao, Henrik AndrénAbstract:Despite extensive research on the ecology and behavioural adaptations of large carnivores in human-dominated landscapes, information about the fitness consequences of sharing landscapes is still limited. We assessed the variation in three consecutive components of female fitness: the probability of reproduction, litter size and juvenile survival in relation to environmental and human factors in a solitary carnivore, the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx), occurring in human-dominated landscapes in Scandinavia. We used demographic data from 57 radio-collared adult females between 1995–2011 (126 radio-years). Overall, the yearly probability of female reproduction was 0.80, mean litter size was 2.34 (range 1–4) and the probability to find a female that reproduced in the spring being accompanied by at least one offspring during the subsequent winter was 0.70. We did not find evidence that food availability was a key factor influencing female fitness. Female Lynx may adapt to food availability when establishing their home ranges by adopting an obstinate strategy, ensuring a minimum amount of prey necessary for survival and reproduction even during periods of prey scarcity. In human-dominated landscapes, where sufficient prey are available for Lynx, mortality risk may have a larger influence on Lynx population dynamics compared to food availability. Our results suggest that Lynx population dynamics in human-dominated landscapes may be mainly driven by human impacts on survival.
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Eurasian Lynx natal den site and maternal home range selection in multi use landscapes of norway
Journal of Zoology, 2015Co-Authors: S White, John Odden, Robert A Briers, Yaelle Bouyer, John D. C. LinnellAbstract:In carnivores, securing suitable den sites with associated early maternal home ranges is important for successful reproduction, and understanding natal den site selection is essential to ensure that these habitats are protected from human disturbance. This study investigated Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx natal den site selection across multiple use landscapes in Norway and explores whether the selection of early maternal home ranges across southern Norway involved a trade-off of security for access to their preferred prey species, roe deer Capreolus capreolus. The characteristics of natal dens and home ranges from 33 reproductive events were quantified across south-eastern and northern Norway. Natal dens were located in terrain further from the most accessible and disturbed areas (public roads) and in terrain more rugged than generally available. Early maternal home ranges were characterized by low human and low road density in rugged terrain and a selection for areas associated with higher or lower roe deer densities was not important in our analysis. Humans are the dominant cause of Lynx mortality throughout Norway and our findings suggest that female Lynx primarily chose areas that limited their interaction with people during the denning period.
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tolerance to anthropogenic disturbance by a large carnivore the case of Eurasian Lynx in south eastern norway
Animal Conservation, 2015Co-Authors: Yaelle Bouyer, John Odden, Vincenzo Gervasi, Pascal Poncin, Roseline Beudelsjamar, John D. C. LinnellAbstract:The relative merits of land sparing versus land sharing are being debated within conservation biology. While the debate is multifaceted, a central issue concerns the ability of biodiversity to actually persist in ‘shared’ human-dominated landscapes. There is a widespread perception that large predators are synonymous with wilderness and have a low tolerance for human-modified landscapes. However, there is an increasing body of evidence that is questioning this paradigm. In order to explore the tolerance levels of Eurasian Lynx to human activity, we have analysed data on 49 Lynx home ranges in south-eastern Norway occupying a gradient of landscapes from near wilderness to the urban–forest interface. Our results indicate that Lynx have the ability to tolerate relatively high levels of human presence both within their home ranges and within the immediate surroundings of their home ranges. Home-range orientations reflect preference for areas associated with low levels of human-induced habitat modification, and avoidance of the more heavily disturbed areas. The results show that Lynx have a large potential to exist in shared landscapes if their presence is tolerated by people.
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physiologically persistent corpora lutea in Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx longitudinal ultrasound and endocrine examinations intra vitam
PLOS ONE, 2014Co-Authors: Johanna Painer, John Odden, John D. C. Linnell, Martin Dehnhard, Katarina Jewgenow, Jon M Arnemo, Thomas B Hildebrandt, Frank GoeritzAbstract:Felids generally follow a poly-estrous reproductive strategy. Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) display a different pattern of reproductive cyclicity where physiologically persistent corpora lutea (CLs) induce a mono-estrous condition which results in highly seasonal reproduction. The present study was based around a sono-morphological and endocrine study of captive Eurasian Lynx, and a control-study on free-ranging Lynx. We verified that CLs persist after pregnancy and pseudo-pregnancy for at least a two-year period. We could show that Lynx are able to enter estrus in the following year, while CLs from the previous years persisted in structure and only temporarily reduced their function for the period of estrus onset or birth, which is unique among felids. The almost constant luteal progesterone secretion (average of 5 ng/ml serum) seems to prevent folliculogenesis outside the breeding season and has converted a poly-estrous general felid cycle into a mono-estrous cycle specific for Lynx. The hormonal regulation mechanism which causes Lynx to have the longest CL lifespan amongst mammals remains unclear. The described non-felid like ovarian physiology appears to be a remarkably non-plastic system. The Lynx's reproductive ability to adapt to environmental and anthropogenic changes needs further investigation.
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one size fits all Eurasian Lynx females share a common optimal litter size
Journal of Animal Ecology, 2014Co-Authors: Jean-michel Gaillard, John Odden, Henrik Andrén, Erlend B. Nilsen, John D. C. LinnellAbstract:Lack proposed that the average clutch size of altricial species should be determined by the average maximum number of young the parents can raise such that all females in a given population should share a common optimal clutch size. Support for this model remains equivocal and recent studies have suggested that intra-population variation in clutch size is adaptive because each female has its own optimal clutch size associated with its intrinsic ability to raise offspring. Although Lack litter size and condition-dependent litter size are presented as two competing models, both are based on the concept of individual optimization. We propose a unified optimal litter size model (called 'adaptive litter size') and identify a set of conditions under which a common vs. a state-dependent optimal litter size should be observed. We test whether females of Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) have a common optimal litter size, or whether they adjust their litter size according to their state. We used a detailed individual-based data set collected from contrasting populations of Eurasian Lynx in Scandinavia. Observed reproductive patterns in female Lynx provide strong support for the existence of a common optimal litter size. Litter size did not vary according to female body mass or reproductive category, or among contrasted populations and years. A litter size of 2 was associated with a higher fitness than both smaller and larger litters, and thus corresponded to the 'adaptive litter size' for female Lynx. We suggest that the reproductive pattern of female Lynx might correspond to a risk avoidance tactic common to all individuals, which has evolved in response to strong environmental constraints generated by a highly unpredictable food supply during lactation.
John Odden - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Eurasian Lynx fitness shows little variation across scandinavian human dominated landscapes
Scientific Reports, 2019Co-Authors: John Odden, John D. C. Linnell, Jens Persson, Malin Aronsson, Jose Vicente Lopezbao, Henrik AndrénAbstract:Despite extensive research on the ecology and behavioural adaptations of large carnivores in human-dominated landscapes, information about the fitness consequences of sharing landscapes is still limited. We assessed the variation in three consecutive components of female fitness: the probability of reproduction, litter size and juvenile survival in relation to environmental and human factors in a solitary carnivore, the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx), occurring in human-dominated landscapes in Scandinavia. We used demographic data from 57 radio-collared adult females between 1995–2011 (126 radio-years). Overall, the yearly probability of female reproduction was 0.80, mean litter size was 2.34 (range 1–4) and the probability to find a female that reproduced in the spring being accompanied by at least one offspring during the subsequent winter was 0.70. We did not find evidence that food availability was a key factor influencing female fitness. Female Lynx may adapt to food availability when establishing their home ranges by adopting an obstinate strategy, ensuring a minimum amount of prey necessary for survival and reproduction even during periods of prey scarcity. In human-dominated landscapes, where sufficient prey are available for Lynx, mortality risk may have a larger influence on Lynx population dynamics compared to food availability. Our results suggest that Lynx population dynamics in human-dominated landscapes may be mainly driven by human impacts on survival.
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Eurasian Lynx natal den site and maternal home range selection in multi use landscapes of norway
Journal of Zoology, 2015Co-Authors: S White, John Odden, Robert A Briers, Yaelle Bouyer, John D. C. LinnellAbstract:In carnivores, securing suitable den sites with associated early maternal home ranges is important for successful reproduction, and understanding natal den site selection is essential to ensure that these habitats are protected from human disturbance. This study investigated Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx natal den site selection across multiple use landscapes in Norway and explores whether the selection of early maternal home ranges across southern Norway involved a trade-off of security for access to their preferred prey species, roe deer Capreolus capreolus. The characteristics of natal dens and home ranges from 33 reproductive events were quantified across south-eastern and northern Norway. Natal dens were located in terrain further from the most accessible and disturbed areas (public roads) and in terrain more rugged than generally available. Early maternal home ranges were characterized by low human and low road density in rugged terrain and a selection for areas associated with higher or lower roe deer densities was not important in our analysis. Humans are the dominant cause of Lynx mortality throughout Norway and our findings suggest that female Lynx primarily chose areas that limited their interaction with people during the denning period.
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tolerance to anthropogenic disturbance by a large carnivore the case of Eurasian Lynx in south eastern norway
Animal Conservation, 2015Co-Authors: Yaelle Bouyer, John Odden, Vincenzo Gervasi, Pascal Poncin, Roseline Beudelsjamar, John D. C. LinnellAbstract:The relative merits of land sparing versus land sharing are being debated within conservation biology. While the debate is multifaceted, a central issue concerns the ability of biodiversity to actually persist in ‘shared’ human-dominated landscapes. There is a widespread perception that large predators are synonymous with wilderness and have a low tolerance for human-modified landscapes. However, there is an increasing body of evidence that is questioning this paradigm. In order to explore the tolerance levels of Eurasian Lynx to human activity, we have analysed data on 49 Lynx home ranges in south-eastern Norway occupying a gradient of landscapes from near wilderness to the urban–forest interface. Our results indicate that Lynx have the ability to tolerate relatively high levels of human presence both within their home ranges and within the immediate surroundings of their home ranges. Home-range orientations reflect preference for areas associated with low levels of human-induced habitat modification, and avoidance of the more heavily disturbed areas. The results show that Lynx have a large potential to exist in shared landscapes if their presence is tolerated by people.
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physiologically persistent corpora lutea in Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx longitudinal ultrasound and endocrine examinations intra vitam
PLOS ONE, 2014Co-Authors: Johanna Painer, John Odden, John D. C. Linnell, Martin Dehnhard, Katarina Jewgenow, Jon M Arnemo, Thomas B Hildebrandt, Frank GoeritzAbstract:Felids generally follow a poly-estrous reproductive strategy. Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) display a different pattern of reproductive cyclicity where physiologically persistent corpora lutea (CLs) induce a mono-estrous condition which results in highly seasonal reproduction. The present study was based around a sono-morphological and endocrine study of captive Eurasian Lynx, and a control-study on free-ranging Lynx. We verified that CLs persist after pregnancy and pseudo-pregnancy for at least a two-year period. We could show that Lynx are able to enter estrus in the following year, while CLs from the previous years persisted in structure and only temporarily reduced their function for the period of estrus onset or birth, which is unique among felids. The almost constant luteal progesterone secretion (average of 5 ng/ml serum) seems to prevent folliculogenesis outside the breeding season and has converted a poly-estrous general felid cycle into a mono-estrous cycle specific for Lynx. The hormonal regulation mechanism which causes Lynx to have the longest CL lifespan amongst mammals remains unclear. The described non-felid like ovarian physiology appears to be a remarkably non-plastic system. The Lynx's reproductive ability to adapt to environmental and anthropogenic changes needs further investigation.
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one size fits all Eurasian Lynx females share a common optimal litter size
Journal of Animal Ecology, 2014Co-Authors: Jean-michel Gaillard, John Odden, Henrik Andrén, Erlend B. Nilsen, John D. C. LinnellAbstract:Lack proposed that the average clutch size of altricial species should be determined by the average maximum number of young the parents can raise such that all females in a given population should share a common optimal clutch size. Support for this model remains equivocal and recent studies have suggested that intra-population variation in clutch size is adaptive because each female has its own optimal clutch size associated with its intrinsic ability to raise offspring. Although Lack litter size and condition-dependent litter size are presented as two competing models, both are based on the concept of individual optimization. We propose a unified optimal litter size model (called 'adaptive litter size') and identify a set of conditions under which a common vs. a state-dependent optimal litter size should be observed. We test whether females of Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) have a common optimal litter size, or whether they adjust their litter size according to their state. We used a detailed individual-based data set collected from contrasting populations of Eurasian Lynx in Scandinavia. Observed reproductive patterns in female Lynx provide strong support for the existence of a common optimal litter size. Litter size did not vary according to female body mass or reproductive category, or among contrasted populations and years. A litter size of 2 was associated with a higher fitness than both smaller and larger litters, and thus corresponded to the 'adaptive litter size' for female Lynx. We suggest that the reproductive pattern of female Lynx might correspond to a risk avoidance tactic common to all individuals, which has evolved in response to strong environmental constraints generated by a highly unpredictable food supply during lactation.
Urs Breitenmoser - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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cardiomyopathy associated with coronary arteriosclerosis in free ranging Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx carpathicus
Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2020Co-Authors: Mariepierre Ryserdegiorgis, Urs Breitenmoser, Andreas Ryser, Nadia Robert, Roman Kaspar Meier, Samoa Zurchergiovannini, Mirjam Pewsner, Alan Kovacevic, Francesco C OriggiAbstract:The Eurasian Lynx (subspecies Lynx Lynx carpathicus) was reintroduced to Switzerland in the 1970's. Health monitoring of the reintroduced population started in the late 1980's. Since then, six Lynx have been found affected by a myocardial disease. The earliest case was an animal that died after a field anesthesia. Two Lynx were found dead, two were euthanized/culled because of disease signs, and one was hit by car. Two had a heart murmur at clinical examination. At necropsy, the first animal showed only lung edema but the other five had cardiomegaly associated with myocardial fibrosis. Three had multisystemic effusions. Histological examination of all six Lynx showed mild to severe, multifocal, myocardial interstitial and perivascular fibrosis along with multifocal myocyte degeneration and loss, and replacement fibrosis. Moderate to severe multifocal arteriosclerosis with associated luminal stenosis of the small and medium-sized intramural coronary arteries and the presence of Anitschkow cells was also observed. The heart lesions may have led to sudden death in the first case and to a chronic right-sided heart failure in the remaining. None of the Lynx showed lesions or signs suggestive of an acute or subacute infection. Given the common geographic origin of these animals and the severe loss of heterozygocity in this population, a genetic origin of the disease is hypothesized.
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Chemical composition of Eurasian Lynx urine conveys information on reproductive state, individual identity, and urine age
Chemoecology, 2016Co-Authors: Kristina Vogt, Stefan Boos, Urs Breitenmoser, Mathias K�llikerAbstract:In mammals, the chemical profiles of individuals are complex and variable mixtures, and animals perceive information based on variation in the overall quality of these mixtures. A variety of compounds potentially involved in chemical communication have been characterized in the urine of different felid species, but little is known about the information content of felid scent marks. In this study, we investigated whether chemical composition of Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx urine was related to sex, reproductive state, and individual identity. We further analysed if elemental sulphur in Lynx urine could serve as a dietary cue or as an indicator for the freshness of a scent mark. We collected urine from captive and wild Eurasian Lynx, and analysed volatile constituents of urine by means of solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Our results show that Lynx scent profiles contain sex-specific information on reproductive state, as well as individual identity cues. Urine marks are, therefore, well-suited to fulfil a role in reproductive behaviour and social organisation of wild Lynx populations. Relative sulphur content was unrelated to time since last feeding, but decreased with age of the urine sample. The influence of diet and body condition on scent profiles should be further investigated by means of experimental studies, and may shed more light on the messages encoded in carnivore scent-marks.
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the first density estimation of an isolated Eurasian Lynx population in southwest asia
Wildlife Biology, 2014Co-Authors: Batur Avgan, Marcel Guntert, Fridolin Zimmermann, Fehmi Arikan, Urs BreitenmoserAbstract:During November 2010–February 2011, we used camera traps to estimate the population density of Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx in Ciglikara Nature Reserve, Turkey, an isolated population in southwest Asia. Lynx density was calculated through spatial capture—recapture models. In a sampling eff ort of 1093 camera trap days, we identifi ed 15 independent individuals and estimated a density of 4.20 independent Lynx per 100 km2, an unreported high density for this species. Camera trap results also indicated that the Lynx is likely to be preying on brown hare Lepus europaeus, which accounted for 63% of the non-target species pictured. As lagomorph populations tend to fl uctuate, the high Lynx density recorded in Ciglikara may be temporary and may decline with prey fl uctuation. Therefore we recommend to survey other protected areas in southwestern Turkey where Lynx is known or assumed to exist, and continuously monitor the Lynx populations with reliable methods in order to understand the populations structure and dynam...
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Scent-marking behaviour and social dynamics in a wild population of Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx
Behavioural processes, 2014Co-Authors: Kristina Vogt, Fridolin Zimmermann, Mathias Kölliker, Urs BreitenmoserAbstract:Scent-marking is widespread among mammals and has been observed in many felid species. Although the behaviour is well-described, little is known about its function in wild felid populations. We investigated patterns of scent-marking and its role in intra- and intersexual communication among resident and non-resident Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx by observing interactions among wild Lynx at natural marking sites by means of infrared camera traps. Marking activity of resident animals showed a peak during the mating season and was lowest during the time when females gave birth and lactated. Both sexes scent-marked, but male Lynx visited marking sites much more often than females and marked relatively more often when visiting a site. Most visits to marking sites were by residents but we also observed scent-marking by non-residents. Juveniles were never observed marking. We found no evidence of Lynx regularly renewing scent-marks after a certain ‘expiry date’ but the presence of a strange scent-mark triggered over-marking. Males responded similarly to the presence of another individual's scent-mark, irrespective of whether it was the top- or the underlying scent-mark in a mixture of scent-marks they encountered. Our results suggest that marking sites could serve as ‘chemical bulletin boards’, where male Lynx advertise their presence and gain information on ownership relationships in a given area. Females placed their urine marks on top of the ones left by resident males, but further studies are needed to explain the functions of over-marking in females.
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Fear of the unknown: local knowledge and perceptions of the Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx in western Macedonia
Oryx, 2011Co-Authors: Nicolas Lescureux, John D. C. Linnell, Sabit Mustafa, Dime Melovski, Aleksandar Stojanov, Gjorge Ivanov, Vasko Avukatov, Manuela Von Arx, Urs BreitenmoserAbstract:The remnant population of Balkan Lynx Lynx Lynx martinoi is small, isolated and highly threatened. Since 2006 a conservation project has surveyed its status and promoted its recovery in Albania and Macedonia. Eurasian Lynx are often associated with conflicts of an economic or social nature, and their conservation requires a focus on the people sharing the landscape with the species. In this study we adopt methods and conceptual frameworks from anthropology to explore the local knowledge and perceptions of Lynx among rural hunters and livestock breeders in the western mountains of the Republic of Macedonia in south-east Europe. The main finding was that local people rarely saw or interacted with Lynx. As the level of interactions with this species is very low, the Lynx doesn’t appear to be a species associated with conflicts in Macedonia. There was also a general lack of both scientific and local knowledge, which has led to somewhat negative attitudes, mainly based on myths and rumours. Poaching of Lynx and their prey seem to be the main barriers to Lynx conservation.
Marco Heurich - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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in situ feeding as a new management tool to conserve orphaned Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx
Ecology and Evolution, 2021Co-Authors: Joe Premier, Marco Heurich, Martin Gahbauer, Franz LeiblAbstract:High human-caused mortality due to wildlife-vehicle-collisions and illegal killing leads to frequent cases of orphaned Eurasian Lynx juveniles. Under natural conditions, this would result in starvation of the young. To avoid this, wildlife managers conventionally rear animals in captivity and release them later. However, this measure is an undesirable outcome for species conservation, managers, and animals alike. Increased awareness of Eurasian Lynx orphaned by human-caused mortality means managers must often intervene in endangered populations. In this study, we report for the first time a successful case of in situ feeding designed to avoid captivity of two orphaned Eurasian Lynx. We exposed 13 roe deer and 7 red deer carcasses in the field to successfully support two orphans to the age of independence and confirm dispersal from the natal range. We present this management approach as a feasible and complimentary tool that can be considered in small or isolated large carnivore populations where every individual counts toward population viability.
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Rocks rock: the importance of rock formations as resting sites of the Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx
Wildlife Biology, 2019Co-Authors: Johannes Signer, Elisa Belotti, Luděk Bufka, Marc Filla, Sebastian Schoneberg, Thomas Kneib, Marco HeurichAbstract:Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx L. are recolonizing parts of their former range in Europe. Not only are Lynx strictly protected as a species, but also their habitat and in particular their resting sites are protected. As the known characteristics of Lynx resting sites are restricted to vegetation structure, it is difficult to take resting sites into account in planning processes. Here, we show the importance of rock formations for potential resting sites selection and analyzed the frequencies at which GPS-collared Lynx returned to potential resting sites in the Bohemian Forest Ecosystem at the border between the Czech Republic and Germany. Lynx showed a strong selection for proximity of rocks for resting site selection, and the distance of potential resting sites to rocks was an important predictor for determining whether Lynx return to the resting site or not. Furthermore, the frequency of returns to the resting site was positively influenced by the distance to roads and geomorphology. Our findings highlight the importance of rock formations as resting sites for Lynx, which can help with the implementation of concrete protection measures.
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Detection dogs allow for systematic non-invasive collection of DNA samples from Eurasian Lynx
Mammalian Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Laura Hollerbach, Marco Heurich, Tobias Erik Reiners, Carsten NowakAbstract:As Eurasian Lynx ( Lynx Lynx ) show signs of population recovery in parts of Central Europe, sound monitoring strategies are required to study population expansion, connectivity and genetic diversity. While non-invasive DNA sampling strategies could serve this task, genetic samples of Lynx are generally hard to locate. To test the suitability of dog-based sampling we searched scat samples of Lynx in the Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany, with two trained detection dog teams. In 44 grid cells of 2 × 2 km, dog teams covered 440 km of predetermined forest road and hiking trail transects during the four week survey. A total of 169 collected samples resulted in 52 genetically confirmed Lynx detections, of which 26 were assigned to 11 individuals. Using a single-season site occupancy model we found a detection probability of 0.13/km (SD = 0.02), with 10 km of dog search per grid cell required to get a 70 % probability to detect Lynx presence. Our results show that detection dogs are an appropriate tool for systematic genetic Lynx monitoring. We argue that detection dog-assisted genetic monitoring may supplement monitoring strategies based on conventional camera trapping, especially when aiming to monitor genetic diversity and population connectivity.
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habitat selection by Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx is primarily driven by avoidance of human activity during day and prey availability during night
Ecology and Evolution, 2017Co-Authors: Marc Filla, Marco Heurich, Luděk Bufka, Matthias Waltert, Joseph Premier, Nora Magg, Claudia Dupke, Igor KhorozyanAbstract:The greatest threat to the protected Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) in Central Europe is human-induced mortality. As the availability of Lynx prey often peaks in human-modified areas, Lynx have to balance successful prey hunting with the risk of encounters with humans. We hypothesized that Lynx minimize this risk by adjusting habitat choices to the phases of the day and over seasons. We predicted that (1) due to avoidance of human-dominated areas during daytime, Lynx range use is higher at nighttime, that (2) prey availability drives Lynx habitat selection at night, whereas high cover, terrain inaccessibility, and distance to human infrastructure drive habitat selection during the day, and that (3) habitat selection also differs between seasons, with altitude being a dominant factor in winter. To test these hypotheses, we analyzed telemetry data (GPS, VHF) of 10 Lynx in the Bohemian Forest Ecosystem (Germany, Czech Republic) between 2005 and 2013 using generalized additive mixed models and considering various predictor variables. Night ranges exceeded day ranges by more than 10%. At night, Lynx selected open habitats, such as meadows, which are associated with high ungulate abundance. By contrast, during the day, Lynx selected habitats offering dense understorey cover and rugged terrain away from human infrastructure. In summer, land-cover type greatly shaped Lynx habitats, whereas in winter, Lynx selected lower altitudes. We concluded that open habitats need to be considered for more realistic habitat models and contribute to future management and conservation (habitat suitability, carrying capacity) of Eurasian Lynx in Central Europe.
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the effect of reintroductions on the genetic variability in Eurasian Lynx populations the cases of bohemian bavarian and vosges palatinian populations
Conservation Genetics, 2016Co-Authors: James K Bull, Marco Heurich, Krzysztof Schmidt, Jorns Fickel, Alexander P Saveljev, Daniel W ForsterAbstract:Over the past ~40 years, several attempts were made to reintroduce Eurasian Lynx to suitable habitat within their former distribution range in Western Europe. In general, limited numbers of individuals have been released to establish new populations. To evaluate the effects of reintroductions on the genetic status of Lynx populations we used 12 microsatellite loci to study Lynx populations in the Bohemian–Bavarian and Vosges–Palatinian forests. Compared with autochthonous Lynx populations, these two reintroduced populations displayed reduced genetic diversity, particularly the Vosges–Palatinian population. Our genetic data provide further evidence to support the status of ‘endangered’ and ‘critically endangered’ for the Bohemian–Bavarian and Vosges–Palatinian populations, respectively. Regarding conservation management, we highlight the need to limit poaching, and advocate additional translocations to bolster genetic variability.
Henrik Andrén - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Eurasian Lynx fitness shows little variation across scandinavian human dominated landscapes
Scientific Reports, 2019Co-Authors: John Odden, John D. C. Linnell, Jens Persson, Malin Aronsson, Jose Vicente Lopezbao, Henrik AndrénAbstract:Despite extensive research on the ecology and behavioural adaptations of large carnivores in human-dominated landscapes, information about the fitness consequences of sharing landscapes is still limited. We assessed the variation in three consecutive components of female fitness: the probability of reproduction, litter size and juvenile survival in relation to environmental and human factors in a solitary carnivore, the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx), occurring in human-dominated landscapes in Scandinavia. We used demographic data from 57 radio-collared adult females between 1995–2011 (126 radio-years). Overall, the yearly probability of female reproduction was 0.80, mean litter size was 2.34 (range 1–4) and the probability to find a female that reproduced in the spring being accompanied by at least one offspring during the subsequent winter was 0.70. We did not find evidence that food availability was a key factor influencing female fitness. Female Lynx may adapt to food availability when establishing their home ranges by adopting an obstinate strategy, ensuring a minimum amount of prey necessary for survival and reproduction even during periods of prey scarcity. In human-dominated landscapes, where sufficient prey are available for Lynx, mortality risk may have a larger influence on Lynx population dynamics compared to food availability. Our results suggest that Lynx population dynamics in human-dominated landscapes may be mainly driven by human impacts on survival.
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large impact of Eurasian Lynx predation on roe deer population dynamics
PLOS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Henrik Andrén, Olof LibergAbstract:The effects of predation on ungulate populations depend on several factors. One of the most important factors is the proportion of predation that is additive or compensatory respectively to other mortality in the prey, i.e., the relative effect of top-down and bottom-up processes. We estimated Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) kill rate on roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) using radio-collared Lynx. Kill rate was strongly affected by Lynx social status. For males it was 4.85 ± 1.30 S.E. roe deer per 30 days, for females with kittens 6.23 ± 0.83 S.E. and for solitary females 2.71 ± 0.47 S.E. We found very weak support for effects of prey density (both for Type I (linear) and Type II (non-linear) functional responses) and of season (winter, summer) on Lynx kill rate. Additionally, we analysed the growth rate in a roe deer population from 1985 to 2005 in an area, which Lynx naturally re-colonized in 1996. The annual roe deer growth rate was lower after Lynx re-colonized the study area, but it was also negatively influenced by roe deer density. Before Lynx colonized the area roe deer growth rate was λ = 1.079 (± 0.061 S.E.), while after Lynx re-colonization it was λ = 0.94 (± 0.051 S.E.). Thus, the growth rate in the roe deer population decreased by Δλ = 0.14 (± 0.080 S.E.) after Lynx re-colonized the study area, which corresponded to the estimated Lynx predation rate on roe deer (0.11 ± 0.042 S.E.), suggesting that Lynx predation was mainly additive to other mortality in roe deer. To conclude, this study suggests that Lynx predation together with density dependent factors both influence the roe deer population dynamics. Thus, both top-down and bottom-up processes operated at the same time in this predator-prey system.
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one size fits all Eurasian Lynx females share a common optimal litter size
Journal of Animal Ecology, 2014Co-Authors: Jean-michel Gaillard, John Odden, Henrik Andrén, Erlend B. Nilsen, John D. C. LinnellAbstract:Lack proposed that the average clutch size of altricial species should be determined by the average maximum number of young the parents can raise such that all females in a given population should share a common optimal clutch size. Support for this model remains equivocal and recent studies have suggested that intra-population variation in clutch size is adaptive because each female has its own optimal clutch size associated with its intrinsic ability to raise offspring. Although Lack litter size and condition-dependent litter size are presented as two competing models, both are based on the concept of individual optimization. We propose a unified optimal litter size model (called 'adaptive litter size') and identify a set of conditions under which a common vs. a state-dependent optimal litter size should be observed. We test whether females of Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) have a common optimal litter size, or whether they adjust their litter size according to their state. We used a detailed individual-based data set collected from contrasting populations of Eurasian Lynx in Scandinavia. Observed reproductive patterns in female Lynx provide strong support for the existence of a common optimal litter size. Litter size did not vary according to female body mass or reproductive category, or among contrasted populations and years. A litter size of 2 was associated with a higher fitness than both smaller and larger litters, and thus corresponded to the 'adaptive litter size' for female Lynx. We suggest that the reproductive pattern of female Lynx might correspond to a risk avoidance tactic common to all individuals, which has evolved in response to strong environmental constraints generated by a highly unpredictable food supply during lactation.
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lethal male male interactions in Eurasian Lynx
Mammalian Biology, 2013Co-Authors: Jenny Mattisson, Peter Segerstrom, Gustav Samelius, Jens Persson, Malin Aronsson, Geir Rune Rauset, Henrik AndrénAbstract:Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) is considered a solitary, territorial felid with a low degree of direct intraspecific interactions. Between 2002 and 2011 we observed four aggressive interactions between five different male Eurasian Lynx, where two were lethal. All interactions occurred during the mating season and three of the interactions resulted in takeover of the home range by the intruder. Thus, in this study we demonstrate that aggressive interactions, sometimes with severe consequences, occur in male Eurasian Lynx and suggest that they are driven primarily by access to female Lynx in the mating season.
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Patterns of variation in reproductive parameters in Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx)
Acta Theriologica, 2012Co-Authors: Erlend B. Nilsen, Gustav Samelius, John Odden, John D. C. Linnell, Henrik AndrénAbstract:Detailed knowledge of the variation in demographic rates is central for our ability to understand the evolution of life history strategies and population dynamics, and to plan for the conservation of endangered species. We studied variation in reproductive output of 61 radio-collared Eurasian Lynx females in four Scandinavian study sites spanning a total of 223 Lynx-years. Specifically, we examined how the breeding proportion and litter size varied among study areas and age classes (2-year-old vs. >2-year-old females). In general, the breeding proportion varied between age classes and study sites, whereas we did not detect such variation in litter size. The lack of differences in litter sizes among age classes is at odds with most findings in large mammals, and we argue that this is because the level of prenatal investment is relatively low in felids compared to their substantial levels of postnatal care.
