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

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

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.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: Balkan lynx, Carpathian lynx, Caucasian lynx, Ecological traits, Phylogeny, Genetic reinforcement
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: BF - Biotehniška fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Datum objave: 01.01.2022
• Leto izida: 2022
• Št. strani: Str. 1697–1708
• Številčenje: Vol. 102
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-145385
• UDK: 630*13
• ISSN pri članku: 1616-5047
• DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00268-w
• COBISS.SI-ID: 114215683
• Datum objave v RUL: 20.04.2023

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Mammalian biology
• Skrajšan naslov: Mamm. biol.
• Založnik: Urban u. Fischer
• ISSN: 1616-5047
• COBISS.SI-ID: 495571

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: ris, Balkanski ris, Karpatski ris, Kavkaški ris, ekološke lastnosti, filogenija, genetska okrepitev

Projekti

• Financer: ARRS - Agencija za raziskovalno dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: P4-0059-2020
• Naslov: Gozd, gozdarstvo in obnovljivi gozdni viri

• Financer: ARRS - Agencija za raziskovalno dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: N1-0163-2020
• Naslov: Vpogled v medvrstne in znotrajvrstne interakcije med prostoživečimi mačkami v Evropi in Afriki