Diverging ecological traits between the Balkan lynx and neighbouring populations as a basis for planning its genetic rescue

Melovski, Dime (author), Krofel, Miha (author), Avukatov, Vasko (author), Fležar, Urša (author), Gonev, Andrej (author), Hočevar, Lan (author), Ivanov, Gjorge (author), Leschinski, Lisa (author), Pavlov, Aleksandar (author), Stojanov, Aleksandar (author), Veapi, Ekrem (author), Mengüllüoğlu, Deniz (author)

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.

• Language: English
• Keywords: Balkan lynx, Carpathian lynx, Caucasian lynx, Ecological traits, Phylogeny, Genetic reinforcement
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2022
• Year: 2022
• Number of pages: Str. 1697–1708
• Numbering: Vol. 102
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-145385
• UDC: 630*13
• ISSN on article: 1616-5047
• DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00268-w
• COBISS.SI-ID: 114215683
• Publication date in RUL: 20.04.2023

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Mammalian biology
• Shortened title: Mamm. biol.
• Publisher: Urban u. Fischer
• ISSN: 1616-5047
• COBISS.SI-ID: 495571

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: ris, Balkanski ris, Karpatski ris, Kavkaški ris, ekološke lastnosti, filogenija, genetska okrepitev

Projects

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: P4-0059-2020
• Name: Gozd, gozdarstvo in obnovljivi gozdni viri

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: N1-0163-2020
• Name: Vpogled v medvrstne in znotrajvrstne interakcije med prostoživečimi mačkami v Evropi in Afriki