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hematology, serum chemistry, and body mass of free-ranging and captive canada lynx in minnesota.baseline blood chemistry data could be particularly valuable if reference values from free-ranging populations of rare or endangered species are not available. the canada lynx (lynx canadensis) is listed as threatened under the endangered species act in the conterminous united states, even though the species is managed as a furbearer in alaska and in most provinces of canada. body mass, blood chemistry, and hematologic data for free-ranging lynx were collected from 2003 to 2007 and for captive l ...201020090014
dna reveals high dispersal synchronizing the population dynamics of canada lynx.population dynamics of canada lynx (lynx canadensis) have been of interest to ecologists for nearly sixty years. two competing hypotheses concerning lynx population dynamics and large-scale spatial synchrony are currently debated. the first suggests that dispersal is substantial among lynx populations, and the second proposes that lynx at the periphery of their range exist in small, isolated patches that maintain cycle synchrony via correlation with extrinsic environmental factors. resolving the ...200211823858
seroprevalence of antibodies to toxoplasma gondii in lynx (lynx canadensis) and bobcats (lynx rufus) from québec, canada.the seroprevalence of antibodies to toxoplasma gondii was investigated in trapped lynx (lynx canadensis) and bobcats (lynx rufus) from québec, canada. forty-seven of 106 (44%) lynx and 4 of 10 (40%) bobcats had positive titers for t. gondii (> or = 25) by means of the modified agglutination test incorporating mercaptoethanol and formalin-fixed tachyzoites. seroprevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in adult lynx than in juvenile lynx. the presence of antibodies to t. gondii in lynx and ...200111695397
fluctuations of observed breeding rough-legged hawks and gyrfalcons: regularity reconsidered.we recently assessed regularity in fluctuation of annual numbers of breeding pairs observed for several raptor species, and found no indication of reputed regular or cyclic fluctuations in our colville river, alaska sample for gyrfalcons (falco rusticolus) or rough-legged hawks (buteo lagopus) (mindell et al. 1987). discussions with colleagues have prompted us to expand our analysis and clarify key points. we present time series analyses, using the colville river sample size and interval (13 sur ...198828312308
seasonal effects of habitat on sources and rates of snowshoe hare predation in alaskan boreal forests.survival and predation of snowshoe hares (lepus americanus) has been widely studied, yet there has been little quantification of the changes in vulnerability of hares to specific predators that may result from seasonal changes in vegetation and cover. we investigated survival and causes of mortalities of snowshoe hares during the late increase, peak, and decline of a population in interior alaska. from june 2008 to may 2012, we radio-tagged 288 adult and older juvenile hares in early successiona ...201526717577
a rapid field test for sylvatic plague exposure in wild animals.plague surveillance is routinely conducted to predict future epizootics in wildlife and exposure risk for humans. the most common surveillance method for sylvatic plague is detection of antibodies to yersinia pestis f1 capsular antigen in sentinel animals, such as coyotes (canis latrans). current serologic tests for y. pestis, hemagglutination (ha) test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa), are expensive and labor intensive. to address this need, we developed a complete lateral flow dev ...201424484483
sarcocystis neurona-like encephalitis in a canada lynx (felis lynx canadensis).a 13-yr-old female canada lynx (felis lynx canadensis) died after a short clinical illness, and necropsy revealed multifocal, nonsuppurative encephalitis with protozoal schizonts present in cerebral vascular endothelial cells. the schizonts stained immunohistochemically with antiserum to sarcocystis neurona. this is the first report of sarcocystis encephalitis in the canada lynx.200011237148
fatal clostridium septicum myonecrosis in a captive canada lynx (lynx canadensis).a 1-yr-old female canada lynx (lynx canadensis) presented for sudden onset of rapidly progressive bilateral pelvic limb paralysis. the lynx was chemically immobilized to perform a physical examination but expired shortly thereafter. on postmortem radiographs, there were myriad small irregular, round-to-spherical gas densities within the skeletal muscle of the right thigh and epaxial musculature. at gross necropsy, the muscles of the right thigh, right lateral abdominal wall, and epaxial region w ...201425314833
canine distemper virus-associated encephalitis in free-living lynx (lynx canadensis) and bobcats (lynx rufus) of eastern canada.between 1993 and 1999, encephalitis caused by morbillivirus was diagnosed by immunohistochemistry and histology in six lynx (lynx canadensis) and one bobcat (lynx rufus) in the eastern canadian provinces of new brunswick and nova scotia. five of the six cases in lynx occurred within an 11-mo period in 1996-97. a second bobcat with encephalitis caused by unidentified protozoa and a nematode larva also had immunohistochemical evidence of neurologic infection by morbillivirus. the virus was identif ...200919617471
enzyme immunoassays as a method for quantifying hair reproductive hormones in two felid species.non-invasive monitoring of wild felid reproductive states is important, given that many species reproduce poorly in captivity. despite extensive work in faecal hormone analysis in felids, continued development of techniques is necessary, particularly with wild populations. in this study, our aims were as follows: (i) biochemical validation of enzyme immunoassays for estrogen, testosterone and progesterone in canada lynx and domestic cat hair extracts; (ii) assessment of the use of hair reproduct ...201427293665
assessment of a recombinant f1-v fusion protein vaccine intended to protect canada lynx (lynx canadensis) from plague.as part of an ongoing restoration program in colorado, usa, we evaluated adverse reactions and seroconversion in captive canada lynx (lynx canadensis) after vaccination with a recombinant f1-v fusion protein vaccine against yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes plague. ten adult female lynx received the f1-v vaccine; 10 source- and age-matched lynx remained unvaccinated as controls. all of the vaccinated and control lynx remained apparently healthy throughout the confinement period. we obse ...201122102659
geographical gradients in diet affect population dynamics of canada lynx.geographical gradients in the stability of cyclic populations of herbivores and their predators may relate to the degree of specialization of predators. however, such changes are usually associated with transition from specialist to generalist predator species, rather than from geographical variation in dietary breadth of specialist predators. canada lynx (lynx canadensis) and snowshoe hare (lepus americanus) populations undergo cyclic fluctuations in northern parts of their range, but cycles ar ...200718051641
plague as a mortality factor in canada lynx (lynx canadensis) reintroduced to colorado.as part of a species recovery program, 129 canada lynx (lynx canadensis) originating from british columbia, the yukon, manitoba, and quebec, canada, and alaska, usa, were reintroduced to southwestern colorado, usa, from 1999 to 2003. of 52 lynx mortalities documented by october 2003, six lynx, including a female and her 5-mo-old kitten, had evidence of yersinia pestis infection as determined by fluorescent antibody test and/or culture. postmortem findings in these lynx were characterized by pneu ...200617092896
oral papillomatosis in canada lynx (lynx canadensis).we observed 11 cases of oral papillomatosis among 48 free-ranging canada lynx (lynx canadensis) that had been shipped to colorado for translocation purposes. lesions were 1-3 mm, multifocal, nonpigmented sessile masses and occurred on the ventral lingual surface. adverse clinical signs were not observed. six of the 11 cases resolved and the remainder appeared to be self-limiting when affected animals were examined <or=4 mo later. new cases did not develop in previously unaffected lynx while in c ...200717984270
transversus abdominis plane block for exploratory laparotomy in a canadian lynx (lynx canadensis).the transversus abdominis plane (tap) block is an innovative regional anesthetic technique using local anesthetic that is gaining popularity in the analgesic management of human patients undergoing abdominal surgery. needle placement in the tap block is within the facial plane between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles and involves the abdominal and thoracic nerves. successful blockade generally involves spinal nerves t10-l1 and may induce sensory blockade as far cranially as ...201020597230
interacting effects of climate change, landscape conversion, and harvest on carnivore populations at the range margin: marten and lynx in the northern appalachians.assessing the effects of climate change on threatened species requires moving beyond simple bioclimatic models to models that incorporate interactions among climatic trends, landscape change, environmental stochasticity, and species life history. populations of marten (martes americana) and lynx (lynx canadensis) in southeastern canada and the northeastern united states represent peninsular extensions of boreal ranges and illustrate the potential impact of these threats on semi-isolated populati ...200717650258
snow conditions may create an invisible barrier for lynx.the dynamics of canadian lynx (lynx canadensis) abundance are geographically structured according to the influence of large-scale climatic regimes. here we demonstrate that this structuring matches zones of differential snow conditions, in particular surface hardness, as determined by the frequency of winter warm spells. through a modified functional response curve, we show that various features of the snow may influence lynx interaction with its main prey species, the snowshoe hare (lepus ameri ...200415249676
adult-onset hypothyroidism in a lynx (lynx canadensis).a 19-yr-old female lynx (lynx canadensis) presented for an acute onset of anorexia and reluctance to move. physical examination, radiography, hematology, and serum biochemistry revealed evidence of renal failure, presumptive uremic gastritis, chronic intervertebral disk disease at t13-l1, and markedly low serum levels of total thyroxine (1.54 nmol/l) and total triixodothyronine (0.55 nmol/l). twenty-five hours after its original presentation, the lynx exhibited horizontal nystagmus, which has be ...200314582793
serologic survey for viral and bacterial infections in western populations of canada lynx (lynx canadensis).a serologic survey for exposure to pathogens in canada lynx (lynx canadensis) in western north america was conducted. samples from 215 lynx from six study areas were tested for antibodies to feline parvovirus (fpv), feline coronavirus, canine distemper virus, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus, yersinia pestis, and francisella tularensis. a subset of samples was tested for feline immunodeficiency virus; all were negative. for all other pathogens, evidence for exposure was found in at least o ...200212528455
gastric spiral bacteria in small felids.nine small cats, including one bobcat (felis rufus), one pallas cat (f. manul), one canada lynx (f. lynx canadensis), two fishing cats (f. viverrina), two margays (f. wiedii), and two sand cats (f. margarita), necropsied between june 1995 and march 1997 had large numbers of gastric spiral bacteria, whereas five large cats, including one african lion (panthera leo), two snow leopards (p. uncia), one siberian tiger (p. tigris altaica), and one jaguar (p. onca), necropsied during the same period ha ...19989732040
chemotherapy of helminthiasis among wild mammals. i. lungworm infection of felis (lynx) canadensis (kerr).lungworm infection of canada lynx, felis (lynx) canadensis, presumably due to troglostrongylus wilsoni (nematoda: metastrongylidae), was successfully cured with the use of mebendazole.19751163397
a biological framework for evaluating whether a species is threatened or endangered in a significant portion of its range.under the u.s. endangered species act (esa), a species can be listed if it is at risk "in all or a significant portion of its range," but the esa provides no guidance on how to interpret this key phrase. we propose a simple test to determine whether the areas of a species' range in which it is currently at risk amount to a significant portion: if the species were to become extirpated from these areas, at that point would the entire species be at risk? if so, then these areas represent a signific ...200717650247
responses of beaver (castor canadensis kuhl) to predator chemicals.free-ranging beaver (castor canadensis) in two different beaver populations in new york state were exposed to predator chemicals to test feeding inhibition. solvent extracts of feces were applied to stem sections of aspen, the preferred food tree of beavers, permitting smelling and tasting the samples. predator odors were from wolf (canis lupus), coyote (canis latrans), dog (canis familiaris), black bear (ursus americanus), river otter (lutra canadensis), lynx (lynx canadensis), and african lion ...199524234632
evaluating noninvasive genetic sampling techniques to estimate large carnivore abundance.monitoring large carnivores is difficult because of intrinsically low densities and can be dangerous if physical capture is required. noninvasive genetic sampling (ngs) is a safe and cost-effective alternative to physical capture. we evaluated the utility of two ngs methods (scat detection dogs and hair sampling) to obtain genetic samples for abundance estimation of coyotes, black bears and canada lynx in three areas of newfoundland, canada. we calculated abundance estimates using program capwir ...201525693632
the influence of snow on lynx and coyote movements: does morphology affect behavior?we studied sympatric lynx (lynx canadensis) and coyotes (canis latrans) to assess how morphological disadvantages to locomotion over snow affected movement patterns. both species are of similar size and mass, but the feet of lynx are much larger, and coyotes were found to have 4.1-8.8 times the foot-load (ratio of body mass to foot area) of lynx. this resulted in greater mean sinking depths of coyote limbs, although the magnitude of the difference was less than that in foot-load. coyotes exhibit ...199128312614
development and characterization of microsatellite loci from lynx (lynx canadensis), and their use in other felids. 200011123651
assessing cumulative impacts of forest development on the distribution of furbearers using expert-based habitat modeling.cumulative impacts of anthropogenic landscape change must be considered when managing and conserving wildlife habitat. across the central-interior of british columbia, canada, industrial activities are altering the habitat of furbearer species. this region has witnessed unprecedented levels of anthropogenic landscape change following rapid development in a number of resource sectors, particularly forestry. our objective was to create expert-based habitat models for three furbearer species: fishe ...201627209791
a test of somatic mosaicism in the androgen receptor gene of canada lynx (lynx canadensis).the androgen receptor, an x-linked gene, has been widely studied in human populations because it contains highly polymorphic trinucleotide repeat motifs that have been associated with a number of adverse human health and behavioral effects. a previous study on the androgen receptor gene in carnivores reported somatic mosaicism in the tissues of a number of species including eurasian lynx (lynx lynx). we investigated this claim in a closely related species, canada lynx (lynx canadensis). the pres ...201526503624
patterns of postnatal development in skulls of lynxes, genus lynx (mammalia: carnivora).studies on ossification patterns and other ontogenetic events associated with postnatal cranial growth of wild felids are scarce. an analysis of developmental processes undergone by several cranial structures (presphenoidal and sphenooccipital synchondroses, temporal and sagittal crests, and deciduous and permanent teeth) during postnatal growth has been conducted on a sample of 336 specimens belonging to the four recent species of lynxes (lynx pardinus, lynx lynx, lynx rufus, and lynx canadensi ...19968765807
hematologic and serum chemistry values of captive canadian lynx.we present baseline values for 12 hematologic and 17 serum chemistry parameters collected from 22 captive lynx (felis lynx canadensis) in december 1992, at ronan, montana (usa). there were no significant differences in hematologic parameters between yearlings and adults or between sexes. lynx originally captured in the wild had significantly higher mean (+/- se) counts of neutrophils (7.7 +/- 0.37 x 10(3) versus 7.2 +/- 0.35 x 10(3)) and lower counts of lymphocytes (1.1 +/- 0.05 x 10(3) versus 1 ...19958583639
habitat loss, not fragmentation, drives occurrence patterns of canada lynx at the southern range periphery.peripheral populations often experience more extreme environmental conditions than those in the centre of a species' range. such extreme conditions include habitat loss, defined as a reduction in the amount of suitable habitat, as well as habitat fragmentation, which involves the breaking apart of habitat independent of habitat loss. the 'threshold hypothesis' predicts that organisms will be more affected by habitat fragmentation when the amount of habitat on the landscape is scarce (i.e., less ...201425401737
enhancing species distribution modeling by characterizing predator-prey interactions.niche theory is a well-established concept integrating a diverse array of environmental variables and multispecies interactions used to describe species geographic distribution. it is now customary to employ species distribution models (sdms) that use environmental variables in conjunction with species location information to characterize species' niches and map their geographic ranges. the challenge remains, however, to account for the biotic interactions of species with other community members ...201424640545
bregmatic bones in north american lynx.anomalous bregmatic fontanelle bones were present in 279 of 1790 skulls of lynx rufus examined, but with no apparent correlation with age, sex, or place of origin of the specimens. examination of 472 skulls of lynx canadensis disclosed only one possessing bregmatic bones.195914420785
a means of distinguishing the canada lynx from the bay lynx. 188617808752
pyloric trichobezoar in a canadian lynx (lynx canadensis).an adult female canadian lynx (lynx canadensis) was presented with a 3-wk history of anorexia and lethargy. initial examination and diagnostics did not provide a diagnosis. the lynx continued to demonstrate vague clinical signs, including anorexia and an abnormal gait. during follow-up immobilizations 2 wk later, a barium gastrointestinal study revealed a pyloric obstruction. abdominal exploratory surgery was elected, and a gastrotomy and an enterotomy of the proximal duodenum were performed to ...201324450081
anatomy of a population cycle: the role of density dependence and demographic variability on numerical instability and periodicity.determining the causes of cyclic fluctuations in population size is a central tenet in population ecology and provides insights into population regulatory mechanisms. we have a firm understanding of how direct and delayed density dependence affects population stability and cyclic dynamics, but there remains considerable uncertainty in the specific processes contributing to demographic variability and consequent change in cyclic propensity. spatiotemporal variability in cyclic propensity, includi ...201424438480
the subtle role of climate change on population genetic structure in canada lynx.anthropogenically driven climatic change is expected to reshape global patterns of species distribution and abundance. given recent links between genetic variation and environmental patterns, climate change may similarly impact genetic population structure, but we lack information on the spatial and mechanistic underpinnings of genetic-climate associations. here, we show that current genetic variability of canada lynx (lynx canadensis) is strongly correlated with a winter climate gradient (i.e. ...201424415466
prey switching as a means of enhancing persistence in predators at the trailing southern edge.understanding the effects of climate change on species' persistence is a major research interest; however, most studies have focused on responses at the northern or expanding range edge. there is a pressing need to explain how species can persist at their southern range when changing biotic interactions will influence species occurrence. for predators, variation in distribution of primary prey owing to climate change will lead to mismatched distribution and local extinction, unless their diet is ...201424353147
evidence for large-scale effects of competition: niche displacement in canada lynx and bobcat.determining the patterns, causes and consequences of character displacement is central to our understanding of competition in ecological communities. however, the majority of competition research has occurred over small spatial extents or focused on fine-scale differences in morphology or behaviour. the effects of competition on broad-scale distribution and niche characteristics of species remain poorly understood but critically important. using range-wide species distribution models, we evaluat ...201324174116
influence of adrenocorticotrophin hormone challenge and external factors (age, sex, and body region) on hair cortisol concentration in canada lynx (lynx canadensis).land use changes are a significant factor influencing the decline of felid populations. however, additional research is needed to better understand how these factors influence populations in the wild. hormone analysis can provide valuable information on the basic physiology and overall health of an animal, and enzyme immunoassays (eia) are generally used for hair hormone analysis but must first be validated for the substrate of choice and species of interest. to date, hormone assays from hair ha ...201324080086
linking climate change to population cycles of hares and lynx.the classic 10-year population cycle of snowshoe hares (lepus americanus, erxleben 1777) and canada lynx (lynx canadensis, kerr 1792) in the boreal forests of north america has drawn much attention from both population and community ecologists worldwide; however, the ecological mechanisms driving the 10-year cyclic dynamic pattern are not fully revealed yet. in this study, by the use of historic fur harvest data, we constructed a series of generalized additive models to study the effects of dens ...201323846828
patterns of ovarian and luteal activity in captive and wild canada lynx (lynx canadensis).canada lynx face some unique breeding restrictions, which may have implications for population viability and captive management. the goal of this study was to improve our understanding of basic reproductive physiology in canada lynx. using fecal hormone metabolite analysis, we established normative patterns of fecal estrogen (fe) and progestagen (fp) expression in captive and wild female canada lynx. our results indicate that canada lynx have persistent corpora lutea, which underlie their unchar ...201020850438
patterns of testicular activity in captive and wild canada lynx (lynx canadensis).canada lynx are listed as a threatened species in the contiguous us. understanding the reproductive characteristics (i.e., mating system, behavior, physiology) of a species is useful for ensuring effective in situ and ex situ management plans. the goal of this study was to describe patterns of androgen expression in both captive and wild male canada lynx using fecal hormone metabolite analysis. among captive lynx, juvenile and castrated males had lower concentrations of fecal androgens (fa) than ...201020828574
comparative metabolism of gestagens and estrogens in the four lynx species, the eurasian (lynx lynx), the iberian (l. pardinus), the canada lynx (l. canadensis) and the bobcat (l. rufus).with the increasing prevalence of faecal hormone metabolite analysis, it is important to develop a better understanding of the dynamics of faecal metabolite composition. the aim of this study was to compare the quantitative faecal gestagen and estrogen metabolite composition in the four lynx species: eurasian lynx, iberian lynx, canada lynx and bobcats. comparative hplc immunograms were generated from faecal samples collected before, during, and after pregnancy from individual females of each ly ...201020346945
the effect of habitat fragmentation on cyclic population dynamics: a numerical study.through four spatially explicit models, we investigate how habitat fragmentation affects cyclic predator-prey population dynamics. we use a partial differential equation (pde) framework to describe the dispersal of predators and prey in a heterogeneous landscape made of high quality and low quality habitat patches, subject to increasing fragmentation through habitat separation and/or habitat loss. our results show that habitat fragmentation decreases the amplitude of the predator-prey population ...200919352778
population cycles and changes in body size of the lynx in alaska.the lynx lynx canadensis is a common predator in the boreal forests of north america. its population fluctuates during a 9- to 11-year cycle in synchrony with the population size of its main prey, the snowshoe hare lepus americanus. using adult museum specimens, we studied changes in skull (and hence body) size of the lynx in alaska during the second half of the 20th century. the population cycle in alaska averaged 9 years, similar to that reported in the neighbouring yukon. using harvest data o ...200717277929
landscape location affects genetic variation of canada lynx (lynx canadensis).the effect of a population's location on the landscape on genetic variation has been of interest to population genetics for more than half a century. however, most studies do not consider broadscale biogeography when interpreting genetic data. in this study, we propose an operational definition of a peripheral population, and then explore whether peripheral populations of canada lynx (lynx canadensis) have less genetic variation than core populations at nine microsatellite loci. we show that per ...200312803633
enhanced understanding of predator-prey relationships using molecular methods to identify predator species, individual and sex.predator species identification is an important step in understanding predator-prey interactions, but predator identifications using kill site observations are often unreliable. we used molecular tools to analyse predator saliva, scat and hair from caribou calf kills in newfoundland, canada to identify the predator species, individual and sex. we sampled dna from 32 carcasses using cotton swabs to collect predator saliva. we used fragment length analysis and sequencing of mitochondrial dna to di ...201423957886
using experimentation to understand the 10-year snowshoe hare cycle in the boreal forest of north america.population cycles have long fascinated ecologists from the time of charles elton in the 1920s. the discovery of large population fluctuations in undisturbed ecosystems challenged the idea that pristine nature was in a state of balance. the 10-year cycle of snowshoe hares (lepus americanus erxleben) across the boreal forests of canada and alaska is a classic cycle, recognized by fur traders for more than 300 years. since the 1930s, ecologists have investigated the mechanisms that might cause thes ...201728636751
selection and drift influence genetic differentiation of insular canada lynx (lynx canadensis) on newfoundland and cape breton island.island populations have long been important for understanding the dynamics and mechanisms of evolution in natural systems. while genetic drift is often strong on islands due to founder events and population bottlenecks, the strength of selection can also be strong enough to counteract the effects of drift. here, we used several analyses to identify the roles of genetic drift and selection on genetic differentiation and diversity of canada lynx (lynx canadensis) across eastern canada, including t ...201728480025
self-organized dynamics in spatially structured populations.self-organization and pattern formation represent the emergence of order in temporal and spatial processes. self-organization in population ecology is gaining attention due to the recent advances concerning temporal fluctuations in the population size of dispersal-linked subunits. we shall report that spatially structured models of population renewal promote the emergence of a complex power law order in spatial population dynamics. we analyse a variety of population models showing that self-orga ...200111506677
common dynamic structure of canada lynx populations within three climatic regionsacross the boreal forest of canada, lynx populations undergo regular density cycles. analysis of 21 time series from 1821 onward demonstrated structural similarity in these cycles within large regions of canada. the observed population dynamics are consistent with a regional structure caused by climatic features, resulting in a grouping of lynx population dynamics into three types (corresponding to three climatic-based geographic regions): pacific-maritime, continental, and atlantic-maritime. a ...199910446054
surgical plating of a fractured radius and ulna in a wild canada lynx.a free-ranging, adult male canada-lynx (lynx canadensis) experienced a closed, complete, non-comminuted transverse fracture of the left radius and ulna when captured in a leg snare. a dynamic compression plate (dcp) attached to the anterior surface of the radius was used to stabilize the fracture. radiographs 44 days post-surgery indicated advanced primary bone healing. the lynx was released 46 days post-surgery near the site of capture. radiotelemetry indicated long-term survival and movements ...19989577786
forest fires and the snowshoe hare-canada lynx cycle.this paper shows that there is a reasonable coincidence between the canada lynx cycle and the occurrence of forest and brush fires. fires set in motion plant succession, potentially leading to an increase in snowshoe hares (grange, 1965). snowfall is also correlated with the lynx cycle and tends to account for the variation not accounted for by fires. i conclude that grange's (1949, 1965) hypothesis that fire and plant succession drive the snowshoe hare cycle deserves serious consideration, as d ...197828309743
parasites of the canada lynx, felis (lynx) canadensis (kerr). 19665944283
improving the assessment of predator functional responses by considering alternate prey and predator interactions.to improve understanding of the complex and variable patterns of predator foraging behavior in natural systems, it is critical to determine how density-dependent predation and predator hunting success are mediated by alternate prey or predator interference. despite considerable theory and debate seeking to place predator-prey interactions in a more realistic context, few empirical studies have quantified the role of alternate prey or intraspecific interactions on predator-prey dynamics. we asses ...201728369822
effects of porcine zona pellucida immunocontraceptives in zoo felids.methods of contraception are necessary for management of zoo felids; however, the most commonly used contraceptive (melengestrol acetate implant) is associated with serious adverse reactions with long-term use. porcine zona pellucida (pzp) vaccines are promising as contraceptives, but their safety in zoo felids has not been tested. pzp vaccine was administered to 27 female felids representing 10 species, including african lion (panthera leo), asian leopard (p. pardus), jaguar (p. onca), tiger (p ...200415526881
canada lynx use of burned areas: conservation implications of changing fire regimes.a fundamental problem in ecology is forecasting how species will react to major disturbances. as the climate warms, large, frequent, and severe fires are restructuring forested landscapes at large spatial scales, with unknown impacts on imperilled predators. we use the united states federally threatened canada lynx as a case study to examine how predators navigate recent large burns, with particular focus on habitat features and the spatial configuration (e.g., distance to edge) that enabled lyn ...201728405301
reconsidering the specialist-generalist paradigm in niche breadth dynamics: resource gradient selection by canada lynx and bobcat.the long-standing view in ecology is that disparity in overall resource selection is the basis for identifying niche breadth patterns, with species having narrow selection being classified "specialists" and those with broader selection being "generalists". the standard model of niche breadth characterizes generalists and specialists as having comparable levels of overall total resource exploitation, with specialists exploiting resources at a higher level of performance over a narrower range of c ...201223236508
predators choose prey over prey habitats: evidence from a lynx-hare system.resource selection is grounded in the understanding that animals select resources based on fitness requirements. despite uncertainty in how mechanisms relate to the landscape, resource selection studies often assume, but rarely demonstrate, a relationship between modeled variables and fitness mechanisms. using canada lynx (lynx canadensis) and snowshoe hare (lepus americanus) as a model system, we assess whether prey habitat is a viable surrogate for encounters between predators and prey. we sim ...201121774407
comparative patterns of adrenal activity in captive and wild canada lynx (lynx canadensis).stress and animal well-being are often assessed using concentrations of glucocorticoids (gcs), a product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. however, gc concentrations can also be modulated by predictable events, such as changes in season or life history stage. understanding normative patterns of adrenal activity is critical for making valid conclusions about changes in gc concentrations. in this study, we validated an assay for monitoring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fgm) in canada ...201221717144
demographic differences in diet breadth of canada lynx during a fluctuation in prey availability.population dynamics of specialist carnivores are closely linked to prey availability, but the extent of variability in diet breadth of individual carnivores relative to natural variability in the abundance of their primary prey is not well understood. canada lynx (lynx canadensis) specialize on snowshoe hares (lepus americanus) and exhibit cyclic fluctuations in abundance that lag 1-2 years behind those of snowshoe hares. declining hare densities spur demographic changes in lynx, but it is uncle ...201627648249
the influence of snowmobile trails on coyote movements during winter in high-elevation landscapes.competition between sympatric carnivores has long been of interest to ecologists. increased understanding of these interactions can be useful for conservation planning. increased snowmobile traffic on public lands and in habitats used by canada lynx (lynx canadensis) remains controversial due to the concern of coyote (canis latrans) use of snowmobile trails and potential competition with lynx. determining the variables influencing coyote use of snowmobile trails has been a priority for managers ...201324367565
introduction of canine parvovirus 2 into wildlife on the island of newfoundland, canada.canine parvovirus-2 (cpv-2) and feline panleukopenia virus (fpv) (species carnivore protoparvovirus 1, family parvoviridae) cause a severe gastrointestinal disease associated with immune depression in a broad range of terrestrial carnivores. we report here the first molecular epidemiological investigation of protoparvoviruses on the island of newfoundland, canada. in particular, we investigated red foxes (vulpes vulpes deletrix) and lynx (lynx canadensis subsolanus), two autochthonous species, a ...201728935611
spatiotemporal dynamics of toxoplasma gondii infection in canadian lynx (lynx canadensis) in western québec, canada.toxoplasma gondii, one of the more common zoonotic parasites in the world, can cause serious illness in humans and other animals worldwide. felids are the only known host that can shed t. gondii oocysts, which are essential to the perpetuation of the parasite. in much of boreal canada, the canadian lynx (lynx canadensis) is the only wild felid host that could contribute to environmental contamination with t. gondii oocysts. we estimated the prevalence of t. gondii antibodies in canadian lynx fro ...201323307370
mammal responses to the human footprint vary across species and stressors.a rapidly expanding human footprint - comprised of anthropogenic land-use change and infrastructure - is profoundly affecting wildlife distributions worldwide. cumulative effects management (cem) is a regional approach that seeks to manage combined effects of the human footprint on biodiversity across large spatial scales. challenges to implementing this approach include a lack of ecological data at large spatial scales, the high cost of monitoring multiple indicators, and the need to manage mul ...201829654972
boreal predator co-occurrences reveal shared use of seismic lines in a working landscape.interspecific interactions are an integral aspect of ecosystem functioning that may be disrupted in an increasingly anthropocentric world. industrial landscape change creates a novel playing field on which these interactions take place, and a key question for wildlife managers is whether and how species are able to coexist in such working landscapes. using camera traps deployed in northern alberta, we surveyed boreal predators to determine whether interspecific interactions affected occurrences ...202032076543
territory acquisition mediates the influence of predators and climate on juvenile red squirrel survival.juvenile survival to first breeding is a key life-history stage for all taxa. survival through this period can be particularly challenging when it coincides with harsh environmental conditions such as a winter climate or food scarcity, leading to highly variable cohort survival. however, the small size and dispersive nature of juveniles generally make studying their survival more difficult. in territorial species, a key life-history event is the acquisition of a territory. a territory is expecte ...202032307710
foraging ecology of eurasian lynx populations in southwest asia: conservation implications for a diet specialist.intraspecific variation in key traits of widespread species can be hard to predict, if populations have been very little studied in most of the distribution range. asian populations of the eurasian lynx (lynx lynx), one of the most widespread felids worldwide, are such a case in point. we investigated the diet of eurasian lynx from feces collected mediterranean, mixed forest-steppe, and subalpine ecosystems of turkey. we studied prey preferences and functional responses using prey densities obta ...201830377514
identification of circular single-stranded dna viruses in faecal samples of canada lynx (lynx canadensis), moose (alces alces) and snowshoe hare (lepus americanus) inhabiting the colorado san juan mountains.the san juan mountains of southern colorado provide subalpine habitat for a suite of mammalian species including canada lynx (lynx canadensis), moose (alces alces) and snowshoe hare (lepus americanus). in the winter field season of 2016 five faecal samples from lynx, and one each from moose and snowshoe hare were collected to identify small single-stranded dna viruses associated with these three prominent species. thirty-two novel viruses were identified and classified as members of two well est ...201829879480
functional responses in habitat selection: clarifying hypotheses and interpretations.a fundamental challenge in habitat ecology and management is understanding the mechanisms generating animal distributions. studies of habitat selection provide a lens into such mechanisms, but are often limited by unrealistic assumptions. for example, most studies assume that habitat selection is constant with respect to the availability of resources, such that habitat use remains proportional to availability. to the contrary, a growing body of work has shown the fallacy of this assumption, indi ...201930653797
measuring agreement among experts in classifying camera images of similar species.camera trapping and solicitation of wildlife images through citizen science have become common tools in ecological research. such studies collect many wildlife images for which correct species classification is crucial; even low misclassification rates can result in erroneous estimation of the geographic range or habitat use of a species, potentially hindering conservation or management efforts. however, some species are difficult to tell apart, making species classification challenging-but the ...201830519423
sharing the same slope: behavioral responses of a threatened mesocarnivore to motorized and nonmotorized winter recreation.winter recreation is a widely popular activity and is expected to increase due to changes in recreation technology and human population growth. wildlife are frequently negatively impacted by winter recreation, however, through displacement from habitat, alteration of activity patterns, or changes in movement behavior. we studied impacts of dispersed and developed winter recreation on canada lynx (lynx canadensis) at their southwestern range periphery in colorado, usa. we used gps collars to trac ...201830250723
landscape connectivity for bobcat (lynx rufus) and lynx (lynx canadensis) in the northeastern united states.landscape connectivity is integral to the persistence of metapopulations of wide ranging carnivores and other terrestrial species. the objectives of this research were to investigate the landscape characteristics essential to use of areas by lynx and bobcats in northern new england, map a habitat availability model for each species, and explore connectivity across areas of the region likely to experience future development pressure. a mahalanobis distance analysis was conducted on location data ...201829590192
tongue squamous cell carcinoma in a european lynx (lynx lynx): papillomavirus infection and histologic analysis.oral squamous cell carcinoma (scc) is a common finding in domestic and wild felids. only two cases of oral scc have been reported in lynx species (lynx rufus and lynx canadensis), at mandibular and gingival sites. in this study, we describe the first report of tongue scc in a 15 years old female european lynx (lynx lynx), along with viral investigations. necropsy and histological analysis were performed and the presence of papillomavirus (pv) infection was investigated by ultrastructural and mol ...201829301274
fine-scale habitat selection by sympatric canada lynx and bobcat.the canada lynx (lynx canadensis) and the bobcat (lynx rufus) are closely related species with overlap at their range peripheries, but the factors that limit each species and the interactions between them are not well understood. habitat selection is a hierarchical process, in which selection at higher orders (geographic range, home range) may constrain selection at lower orders (within the home range). habitat selection at a very fine scale within the home range has been less studied for both l ...202032953069
spatial and environmental influences on selection in a clock gene coding trinucleotide repeat in canada lynx (lynx canadensis).clock genes exhibit substantial control over gene expression and ultimately life-histories using external cues such as photoperiod, and are thus likely to be critical for adaptation to shifting seasonal conditions and novel environments as species redistribute their ranges under climate change. coding trinucleotide repeats (ctnrs) are found within several clock genes, and may be interesting targets of selection due to their containment within exonic regions and elevated mutation rates. here, we ...202032989809
prey availability and ambient temperature influence carrion persistence in the boreal forest.scavenging by vertebrates can have important impacts on food web stability and persistence, and can alter the distribution of nutrients throughout the landscape. however, scavenging communities have been understudied in most regions around the globe, and we lack understanding of the biotic drivers of vertebrate scavenging dynamics. in this paper, we examined how changes in prey density and carrion biomass caused by population cycles of a primary prey species, the snowshoe hare lepus americanus, ...202032686089
genome-scale sampling suggests cryptic epigenetic structuring and insular divergence in canada lynx.determining the molecular signatures of adaptive differentiation is a fundamental component of evolutionary biology. a key challenge is to identify such signatures in wild organisms, particularly between populations of highly mobile species that undergo substantial gene flow. the canada lynx (lynx canadensis) is one species where mainland populations appear largely undifferentiated at traditional genetic markers, despite inhabiting diverse environments and displaying phenotypic variation. here, ...201931087722
are pumas subordinate carnivores, and does it matter?interspecific competition affects species fitness, community assemblages and structure, and the geographic distributions of species. established dominance hierarchies among species mitigate the need for fighting and contribute to the realized niche for subordinate species. this is especially important for apex predators, many of which simultaneous contend with the costs of competition with more dominant species and the costs associated with human hunting and lethal management.201829379688
navigating fragmented landscapes: canada lynx brave poor quality habitats while traveling.anthropogenic and natural habitat fragmentation inhibit movement of animals through landscapes. an important challenge for connectivity conservation is determining which conditions facilitate or limit movements, so that these areas can be prioritized for protection or restoration. we examine canada lynx lynx canadensis habitat connectivity in the fragmented north cascade mountains of washington, as an example of a highly mobile species that is specialized both on prey and in habitat needs. we id ...201830519444
signatures of selection in mammalian clock genes with coding trinucleotide repeats: implications for studying the genomics of high-pace adaptation.climate change is predicted to affect the reproductive ecology of wildlife; however, we have yet to understand if and how species can adapt to the rapid pace of change. clock genes are functional genes likely critical for adaptation to shifting seasonal conditions through shifts in timing cues. many of these genes contain coding trinucleotide repeats, which offer the potential for higher rates of change than single nucleotide polymorphisms (snps) at coding sites, and, thus, may translate to fast ...201728944015
identification of a novel gammaherpesvirus in canada lynx (lynx canadensis).gammaherpesviruses (ghvs) infect many animal species and are associated with lymphoproliferative disorders in some. previously, we identified several novel ghvs in north american felids; however, a ghv had never been identified in canada lynx (lynx canadensis). we, therefore, hypothesized the existence of an unidentified ghv in lynx. using degenerate nested and subsequently virus-specific pcr, we amplified and sequenced 3.4 kb of dna from a novel ghv in lynx, which we named lynx canadensis gamma ...201931010021
examining spatial patterns of selection and use for an altered predator guild.anthropogenic disturbances have altered species' distributions potentially impacting interspecific interactions. interference competition is when one species denies a competing species access to a resource. one mechanism of interference competition is aggression, which can result in altered space-use of a subordinate species due to the threat of harm, otherwise known as a 'landscape of fear'. alternatively, subordinates might outcompete dominant species in resource-poor environments via a superi ...201729038862
multi-species genetic connectivity in a terrestrial habitat network.habitat fragmentation reduces genetic connectivity for multiple species, yet conservation efforts tend to rely heavily on single-species connectivity estimates to inform land-use planning. such conservation activities may benefit from multi-species connectivity estimates, which provide a simple and practical means to mitigate the effects of habitat fragmentation for a larger number of species. to test the validity of a multi-species connectivity model, we used neutral microsatellite genetic data ...201729043084
hair cortisol as a reliable indicator of stress physiology in the snowshoe hare: influence of body region, sex, season, and predator-prey population dynamics.hair cortisol concentration is increasingly used as a convenient, non-invasive, and integrative measure of physiology and health in natural populations of mammals. however, the use of this index is potentially confounded by individual variation in body region-specific differences in cortisol deposition rates. here we examine correlations in cortisol concentrations in hair collected from the ear, shoulder, and thigh of wild snowshoe hares, lepus americanus, as well as the influence of sex on cort ...202032234297
forest structure provides the income for reproductive success in a southern population of canada lynx.understanding intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of reproductive success is central to advancing animal ecology and characterizing critical habitat. unfortunately, much of the work examining drivers of reproductive success is biased toward particular groups of organisms (e.g., colonial birds, large herbivores, capital breeders). long-lived mammalian carnivores that are of conservation concern, solitary, and territorial present an excellent situation to examine intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of rep ...201829457298
error rates in wildlife image classification.we address the comments made by thornton et al. (ecology and evolution, 2019) in response to our recent article on measuring the agreement among experts in classifying camera images of bobcats and canada lynx.201931236256
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