Iberian lynx

The Iberian lynx is an endemic predator of the Iberian Peninsula currently restricted to southern Spain. It is one of the primary predators of rabbits in Iberian ecosystems and probably an important taphonomic agent. Few experimental taphonomic research has focused specifically on this aspect because the Iberian lynx is currently the world's most endangered feline. During the late Pleistocene and early Holocene its home range spread to the whole Iberian Peninsula and Southern France. From an anthropological point of view, Southwestern Europe is one of the major areas of interest for studies of leporid fossil accumulations because some archaeological sites show a clear anthropogenic exploitation of rabbits and hares by Neanderthals and Anatomically Modern Humans. This research is framed within the study of variability in the taphonomic signal of the Iberian lynx. In this paper a set of rabbit bones eaten by a female lynx and her cubs during the denning season which takes around two months has been studied. The experimental assemblage has been characterized using the anatomical representation of the remains, breakage patterns and damage modifications preserved on bone surfaces. The taphonomic data are discussed along with data from the literature of the ethology of the Iberian lynx. The characteristics of the taphonomic modifications are very similar in non-ingested remains altered by adults documented in previous works, and non-ingested remains modified by the litter, in terms of anatomical profile, breakage and tooth mark frequency. The main difference is the presence of specific small tooth marks caused by infant individuals. It is concluded that the Iberian lynx may be a significant source of rabbit bone accumulations in caves and shelters, but exclusively during its breeding season. The presence of bones of mixed origin in the final set (non-ingested and ingested) is inferred as a taphonomic signal feature of Iberian lynx. The expansion of the referential framework will allow us to strongly discriminate the role of hominids and lynxes in fossil accumulations of rabbits, especially when this kind of preys was usually exploited and accumulated by the hunter–gatherers in caves and shelters

A new cranial fossil attributable to the species Lynx pardinus (Temminck, 1827) attests to the presence of
this felid in the late Early Pleistocene of the Iberian Peninsula. Certain diagnostic features, such as the
confluence of the lacerum posterius and anterior condyloid foramina, and the long and lyre-shaped
temporal ridges, allow this find to be established as the first occurrence of the Iberian lynx in Europe.
The fossil described here was found in the Avenc Marcel cave (Vallirana, Barcelona, Spain) in association
with many other Late Villafranchian faunal remains. The combined presence of the bovid genera Capra
and Soergelia, and the rodent species Mimomys medasensis and Mimomys tornensis, allows the age of this
deposit to be placed at about 1.6-1.7 Ma. Consequently, the appearance of Lynx pardinus is related here to
the faunal turnover that occurred between the Middle and Late Villafranchian, considered to be one of
the major changes in the European macromammal fauna. Such an early divergence is in accordance with
the evolutionary split proposed by both the molecular data and with the glacial-interglacial dynamics
that affected the European region during the Early Pleistocene. Under these circumstances, the Iberian
lynx could have originated in isolation in the Iberian Peninsula (a recognized southern European refugium
for several species), during one or more glacial episodes. In this time period, this species may also
have developed a dependence on small-sized animal prey, such as the lagomorphs of the genus Prolagus
and Oryctolagus, already widespread throughout the Iberian Peninsula by that point.
In the present work, several topics regarding the earliest evolutionary history of Lynx pardinus are
discussed. Understanding the events that took place surrounding the origins of this lineage can shed new
light on the future conservation of this extremely threatened felid.

In this paper we present the recovered lynx remains in the postglacial levels of Cova de les Cendres and Coves de Santa Maira (Alicante, Spain). Although the identified remains are scarce, the anatomical and taphonomic studies show us a non-selective transport to the sites, as well as the integral use of the lynx body. Marks related to skinning and extraction of meat packages have been identified. Intentional fractures of the bones have been also noticed. These evidences mean a new addition to the debate on interactions between these predators and the hunter-gatherer human groups.

Below are the results of the survey of the Iberian lynx obtained with camera-trapping between 2000 and 2007 in Sierra Morena. Two very important aspects of camera-trapping concerning its efficiency are also analyzed. The first is the evolution along years according to the camera-trapping type used of two efficiency indicators. The results obtained demonstrate that the most efficient lure is rabbit, though it is the less proven (92 trap-nights), followed by camera-trapping in the most frequent marking places (latrines). And, we propose as a novel the concept of use area as a spatial reference unit for the camera-trapping monitoring of non radio-marked animals is proposed, and its validity discussed.

Camera trapping is the most used method for surveying medium-sized carnivores in Spain. The main target for these surveys has been the Iberian lynx, the most endangered cat in the world. The Iberian lynx conservation program has received the largest EU LIFE projects grant. So, efficiency is a key goal for managing this grant. During 2003 and 2007, we have applied these funds to the survey of the Iberian lynx in Eastern Sierra Morena (Spain). Using two different techniques, we have studied both to see which is the most efficient. The survey developed in active latrines resulted more efficient than that of scent stations and live prey camera trapping throughout the years, although there has been a variation between years. Otherwise, the live prey method has been the one providing the greatest speed and number of pictures per entrance. We suggest that camera-trapping surveys can be improved in terms of efficiency for a wide range of species, or at least for the Iberian lynx. To improve the results, cameras might be placed in relation to breeding territories. With this determinant, camera-trapping surveys would be shorter than 120 days. Finally, we suggest how those surveys for medium carnivores should be designed.