20.500.12556/RUL-145385 Diverging ecological traits between the Balkan lynx and neighbouring populations as a basis for planning its genetic rescue Selecting appropriate candidates for genetic rescue mostly relies on previous genetic research and monitoring, while ecological and behavioural traits of the remnant and source populations are rarely considered for such conservation measures. Because of their slow recovery, Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx populations in Central and Western Europe have been a repeated target of genetic reinforcements and reintroductions in the past 50 years. Once inhabiting much of south-eastern Europe, the Balkan lynx L. l. balcanicus is now critically endangered and confined to a small population. Long-term isolation has caused loss of genetic diversity and has possibly led to inbreeding depression. Immediate actions need to consider genetic reinforcement to increase the genetic diversity and secure population viability. Here, we compared the Balkan lynx with two neighbouring populations: Dinaric population originating from the Carpathian subspecies (L.l. carpathicus) and Anatolian population of Caucasian subspecies (L.l. dinniki) to determine is better suited source from an ecological standpoint. Main findings suggest that the L.l. carpathicus is ecologically more similar to the L.l. balcanicus and therefore likely better suited for the environment of south-western Balkans on the basis of prey preference (roe deer being the main prey), local prey availability (lower lagomorph and higher ungulate availability) and habitat use (predominant use of the mixed and broadleaved forests). We discuss the contrasting results of genetic and ecological analyses from both the evolutionary and conservation perspective and provide potential solutions that would take into account both aspects to pave the road towards potential genetic rescue of the Balkan lynx. Balkan lynx Carpathian lynx Caucasian lynx Ecological traits Phylogeny Genetic reinforcement ris Balkanski ris Karpatski ris Kavkaški ris ekološke lastnosti filogenija genetska okrepitev true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2023-04-20 09:53:47 2023-04-20 09:53:54 2023-04-21 03:31:56 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2022 0 0 Str. 1697–1708 Vol. 102 2022 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 2022-01-01 630*13 1616-5047 10.1007/s42991-022-00268-w 114215683 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42991-022-00268-w 1 574b5531-df50-11ed-a314-00155dcfd717 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=168276 RAZ_Melovski_Dime_2022.pdf RAZ_Melovski_Dime_2022.pdf 1 876032DAFF6D413E32827DDDB2E281E4 fc9c6e9543b127700ff2b8e74f7ffbbff4d2b6f804f8360945245534fe138f87 6a2f7d09-df50-11ed-a314-00155dcfd717 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=168277 Biotehniška fakulteta 0 0 0