<p>The Iberian lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) is a recently recovering felid native to the Iberian Peninsula. This specialist relies on European wild rabbits (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) as its bulk prey. Occasionally, however, Iberian lynxes can prey on ungulates. New situations emerge in the context of ongoing Iberian lynx recovery and roe deer (<i>Capreolus capreolus</i>) expansion. The capacity of the Iberian lynx to influence roe deer dynamics is unknown. We addressed this gap by combining camera trapping (CT), noninvasive genetics, and pathology on a site where a saturated Iberian lynx population coincides with a significant roe deer population. Lynx and roe deer detections were not spatially correlated. By contrast, lynx and rabbit detections were correlated. We estimated lynx and roe deer density at 0.167 ± 0.042 lynx/km<sup>2</sup> (SCR models) and 3.55 ± 2.26 roe deer/km<sup>2</sup> (REM method), respectively. Roe deer DNA was detected in two of 15 lynx feces. One freshly dead adult female roe deer was found by gamekeepers. Two CTs immediately set up at the presumed kill site and kept activated for eight hours recorded three visits by a collared adult female Iberian lynx. The carcass presented lesions compatible with lynx predation. Thus, we compiled CT-derived, genetic, and pathological results confirming that Iberian lynx prey on roe deer. Iberian lynx predation on roe deer is probably sporadic. However, predation may affect roe deer dynamics in the study site, possibly reducing fawn recruitment. Our findings have implications for hunter attitudes, game management, and lynx conservation.</p>

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An unusual predator-prey system including Iberian lynx and roe deer

  • David Relimpio,
  • Julio Isla,
  • Marta Rafael,
  • Alberto Perelló,
  • Gabriela de la Fuente,
  • José de la Fuente,
  • Christian Gortázar

摘要

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is a recently recovering felid native to the Iberian Peninsula. This specialist relies on European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as its bulk prey. Occasionally, however, Iberian lynxes can prey on ungulates. New situations emerge in the context of ongoing Iberian lynx recovery and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) expansion. The capacity of the Iberian lynx to influence roe deer dynamics is unknown. We addressed this gap by combining camera trapping (CT), noninvasive genetics, and pathology on a site where a saturated Iberian lynx population coincides with a significant roe deer population. Lynx and roe deer detections were not spatially correlated. By contrast, lynx and rabbit detections were correlated. We estimated lynx and roe deer density at 0.167 ± 0.042 lynx/km2 (SCR models) and 3.55 ± 2.26 roe deer/km2 (REM method), respectively. Roe deer DNA was detected in two of 15 lynx feces. One freshly dead adult female roe deer was found by gamekeepers. Two CTs immediately set up at the presumed kill site and kept activated for eight hours recorded three visits by a collared adult female Iberian lynx. The carcass presented lesions compatible with lynx predation. Thus, we compiled CT-derived, genetic, and pathological results confirming that Iberian lynx prey on roe deer. Iberian lynx predation on roe deer is probably sporadic. However, predation may affect roe deer dynamics in the study site, possibly reducing fawn recruitment. Our findings have implications for hunter attitudes, game management, and lynx conservation.