Current Status Of the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Eastern Sierra Morena, Southern Spain

AbstractFive critically endangered Iberian lynxes (Lynx pardinus) and 35 other sympatric carnivores (19 feral catsFelis catus, 12 Egyptian mongoosesHerpestes ichneumon, and 4 common genetsGenetta genetta) were analysed for helminths in Sierra Morena and Doñana area (southern Spain).Ancylostoma tubaeforme, which was believed to be harmful for lynx cubs according to a previous study, was present in the only lynx and in 53% of cats analysed in Doñana (80% in adult cats). Other species shared in both areas wereToxocara cati(1 lynx, 31% of cats),Joyeuxiella pasqualei(1 lynx, 21% of cats) andMesocestoidessp. (2 lynxes, 5% of cats). Only one mongoose was parasitized, harbouring larvae of two acantocephalan species not previously reported in the Iberian peninsula (Centrorhynchus(Sphaerirostris)lanceaandCentrorhynchus(Longirostris)undulatus). Feral cats may be a reservoir for hookworms and other helminths affecting the Iberian lynx. In contrast, mongooses and genets may not play a role in the epidemiology of these species.

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Survival of injured Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) and non-natural mortality in central-southern Spain

Biological Conservation ◽

10.1016/s0006-3207(99)00142-1 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 93 (2) ◽

pp. 265-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Rosa Garcı́a-Perea

Keyword(s):

Southern Spain ◽

Lynx Lynx ◽

Natural Mortality ◽

Iberian Lynx ◽

Lynx Pardinus

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Prevalence of infection and 18S rRNA gene sequences of Cytauxzoon species in Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Spain

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s003118200700248x ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 134 (7) ◽

pp. 995-1001 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

J. MILLÁN ◽

V. NARANJO ◽

A. RODRÍGUEZ ◽

J. M. PÉREZ DE LA LASTRA ◽

A. J. MANGOLD ◽

...

Keyword(s):

18S Rrna ◽

The United States ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Lynx Lynx ◽

Iberian Lynx ◽

Lynx Pardinus ◽

Sierra Morena ◽

Wild Felids

SUMMARYThe Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is the most endangered felid in the world. Only about 160 individuals remain in 2 separate metapopulations in Southern Spain (Sierra Morena and Doñana). We obtained blood samples of 20 lynxes captured from 2004 to 2006, and determined the prevalence of infection and genetic diversity of Cytauxzoon spp. using 18S rRNA PCR and sequence analysis. Prevalence of infection was 15% (3 of 20). Cytauxzoon sp. was only detected in Sierra Morena. For phylogenetic analysis, we used the sequences reported in the present study and those characterized in different domestic and wild felids and ticks from North and South America, Asia and Europe. Three different Cytauxzoon sp. sequences were obtained. They were closely related to that obtained from a Spanish cat, but diverged in up to 1·0% with respect to the only previously reported sequence from an Iberian lynx. Conversely, the latter sequence clustered together with C. manul sequences obtained from Pallas cats (Otocolobus manul) in Mongolia. Our analysis yields a separate cluster of C. felis sequences from cats, wild felids and ticks in the United States and Brazil. These results suggest that at least 2 different Cytauxzoon spp. may be present in Iberian lynx. The apparent absence in one of the areas, together with the possibility of fatal cytauxzoonosis in lynxes makes necessary disease risks to be taken into account in management conservation strategies, such as translocations and re-introductions.

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