Effect of inbreeding on kittens’ body mass in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx)

Abstract

The development of industry and agriculture and the continuous growth of human population on Earth have dramatically increased anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems and wildlife. As a result, fragmentation of the natural habitats and the decrease in genetic diversity in these populations increase the probability of reproduction with genetically closely related individuals (inbreeding). However, the effect of inbreeding in felids has been studied insufficiently and data are scarce. We decided to study the effect of inbreeding on kittens’ body mass in captivity in the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) colony which we keep near Moscow to study behavior and reproductive physiology of this species. This study analyzed the data on lynx kittens’ body mass in inbred and non-inbred litters. Newborn kittens’ body mass correlated negatively with the parents’ inbreeding coefficient. Inbred parents had smaller kittens at birth in comparison with non-inbred ones. These differences disappeared when kittens reached 2 months of age. It is probable that this correlates with the maternal effect (higher investment in smaller kittens) and changes in the diet of kittens.