The effect of reintroductions on the genetic variability in Eurasian lynx populations: the cases of Bohemian–Bavarian and Vosges–Palatinian populations

James K Bull,Alexander P Saveljev,Daniel W Förster,Jörns Fickel,Marco Heurich,Krzysztof Schmidt

doi:10.1007/s10592-016-0839-0

Abstract

Over the past ~40 years, several attempts were made to reintroduce Eurasian lynx to suitable habitat within their former distribution range in Western Europe. In general, limited numbers of individuals have been released to establish new populations. To evaluate the effects of reintroductions on the genetic status of lynx populations we used 12 microsatellite loci to study lynx populations in the Bohemian–Bavarian and Vosges–Palatinian forests. Compared with autochthonous lynx populations, these two reintroduced populations displayed reduced genetic diversity, particularly the Vosges–Palatinian population. Our genetic data provide further evidence to support the status of ‘endangered’ and ‘critically endangered’ for the Bohemian–Bavarian and Vosges–Palatinian populations, respectively. Regarding conservation management, we highlight the need to limit poaching, and advocate additional translocations to bolster genetic variability.

Highlights

Data accessability: Microsatellite data were deposited in Dryad, doi:10.5061/dryad.9k3k5.Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.4 B
Populations exist in Western Europe with too few individuals to be considered self-sustaining; all of which were established through reintroduction efforts since the 1970s (Arx et al 2009)
We evaluated the genetic status of two reintroduced Eurasian lynx populations (Bohemian– Bavarian and Vosges–Palatinian; see Fig. 1a), and compared this with data for reintroduced and autochthonous European lynx populations of different demographic status

Summary

Introduction

Data accessability: Microsatellite data were deposited in Dryad, doi:10.5061/dryad.9k3k5.Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10592-016-0839-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.4 B. Data accessability: Microsatellite data were deposited in Dryad, doi:10.5061/dryad.9k3k5. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10592-016-0839-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. M. Zhitkov Russian Research Institute of Game Management and Fur Farming, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kirov, Russia. The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx Linnaeus, 1758) is the largest European felid. It existed throughout most of continental and Scandinavian Europe—a distribution that was substantially reduced by direct persecution as well as loss of habitat and prey (Breitenmoser 1998). Populations exist in Western Europe with too few individuals to be considered self-sustaining; all of which were established through reintroduction efforts since the 1970s (Arx et al 2009)

Objectives

Methods

Results