Mapping potential core areas for lynx (Lynx canadensis) using pellet counts from snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) and satellite imagery

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 509-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.P. McCann ◽  
R.A. Moen
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Imagery ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Lynx Canadensis ◽  
Potential Core ◽  
Young Forest ◽  
Snowshoe Hares ◽  
Pellet Counts ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Type Data

We used location data from radio-collared Canada lynx ( Lynx canadensis Kerr, 1792), pellet-count data from snowshoe hares ( Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777), and cover-type data from satellite imagery to evaluate the relationship between the scale of habitat measurement and the potential for persistence of lynx in northeastern Minnesota, USA, at the southern extent of their range. We counted hare pellets at transects throughout northeastern Minnesota to index hare abundance in cover types. Pellet counts were highest in coniferous forest, regenerating–young forest, and shrubby grassland, and these cover types were greater inside lynx use areas than outside of them. Proportions of regenerating–young forest were greater at scales ≥5 km2. We used these results and satellite imagery to map potential lynx core areas. We predicted that 7%–20% of the study area was suitable for lynx. Areas that we predicted to be suitable for lynx corresponded with known core areas, including those withheld from analyses. To maintain habitat for lynx persistence, forest management should retain current levels of 10- to 30-year-old coniferous forest and include ≥5 km2 areas containing 40% of 10- to 30-year-old coniferous forest. Mapping of potential core areas would be improved if cover-type data from satellite imagery identified conifer regeneration.

Antipredator strategies of caribou: dispersion along shorelines

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 1324-1329 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. Bergerud
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Alces Alces ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Lepus Americanus ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Lynx Canadensis ◽  
Antipredator Strategies ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Snowshoe Hares

A small herd of 15–31 caribou (Rangifer tarandus) inhabited a shoreline strip of habitat along Lake Superior from 1972 to 1983. By remaining near the shoreline, they were spaced away from the major distributions of wolves (Canis lupus) and lynx (Lynx canadensis) that hunted mainly inland for moose (Alces alces) and snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), respectively. Lake Superior also provided a means of escape from wolves, and offshore islands constituted safe parturition sites. The persistence of this herd is consistent with the hypothesis that viable caribou populations cannot survive on ranges frequented by high numbers of wolves (maintained mainly by moose prey) unless there are special habitat features providing escape for cows with young calves.

An experimental study of red fox predation on arctic and snowshoe hares

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 1614-1621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Small ◽  
Lloyd B. Keith
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Lynx Canadensis ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Snowshoe Hares ◽  
The Status ◽  
Forested Areas ◽  
Experimental Trials

We tested the relative vulnerability of arctic (Lepus arcticus) and snowshoe (Lepus americanus) hares to predation by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in experimental trials on three islands off Newfoundland's southwest coast. Arctic hares were significantly more vulnerable than snowshoe hares to fox predation: they were killed at a higher rate, and though the probability of death increased slightly for arctic hares over a trial period, it decreased for snowshoe hares. Rates of fox predation on arctic hares were inversely related to home-range size and nutritional status, whereas predation on snowshoe hares was inversely related to the percentage of home-range core areas with dense understory cover. We believe the arctic hare's greater vulnerability to fox predation, found in this study, coupled with its apparent inability to utilize food resources in forested areas that support snowshoe hares, which we found in an earlier study, largely accounts for the current restriction of arctic hares in Newfoundland to certain mountain and coastal barrens. The status of arctic hare populations before the introduction of snowshoe hares is unclear. However, distribution and abundance likely decreased as red foxes and lynx (Lynx canadensis) increased and began to cycle with snowshoe hares. Dispersal of foxes, and perhaps of lynx, from forested areas following snowshoe hare declines would have periodically intensified predation on the barrens.

scholarly journals A Review of the Canada Lynx, Lynx canadensis, in Canada

2003 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim G. Poole
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Lynx Canadensis ◽  
Canada Lynx ◽  
The Past ◽  
Snowshoe Hares ◽  
Dispersal Distances ◽  
Southern Fringe

The Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) is the most common and widespread member of the cat family in Canada. Lynx are distributed throughout forested regions of Canada and Alaska and into portions of the northern contiguous United States, closely paralleling the range of its primary prey, the Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus). They are most common in the boreal, sub-boreal and western montane forests, preferring older regenerating forests (>20 years) and generally avoiding younger stands, and occupy roughly 95% of their former range in Canada. Lynx population size fluctuates 3–17 fold over an 8–11 year cycle, tracking the abundance of Snowshoe Hares with a 1–2 year lag. During increasing and high hare abundance, lynx have high reproductive output and high kit and adult survival. The decline phase is characterized by reproductive failure, increased natural mortality, and high rates of dispersal. Dispersal distances of over 1000 km have been recorded. During the cyclic low, kit recruitment essentially fails for 2–3 years, and is followed by several years of modest reproductive output. Reproductive parameters in southern lynx populations appear similar to those found during the cyclic low and early increase phase in more northern populations. Trapping is a significant source of mortality in some areas. Field studies have documented from 2–45 lynx/100 km2 at various times in the cycle and in various habitats. Although the amplitude of the cyclic fluctuations in lynx numbers may have decreased somewhat in recent decades, there is no evidence to suggest a significant decline in numbers in Canada. Lynx are managed as a furbearer in Canada, with harvest regulated primarily by seasons, quotas, and closures. The harvest over the past decade has declined concurrent with declining pelt prices, and is currently a fraction of historic levels. Lynx are fully protected in less than 2–3% of their range in Canada. There is no evidence to suggest that overall lynx numbers or distribution across Canada have declined significantly over the past two decades, although loss of habitat through increased urbanization and development and forestry is likely affecting lynx populations along the southern fringe of its range. Its high potential to increase in numbers and propensity to disperse long distances suggest that the species is relatively resilient to localized perturbations and reductions, given time and removal of the factors that cause the initial decrease. Lowered lynx harvests, coupled with a greater awareness of the need for proactive lynx management, suggests that the overall future of lynx in Canada is secure.

Taenia macrocystis (Diesing, 1850), its occurrence in Eastern Canada and Maine, U.S.A., and its life cycle in wild felines (Lynx rufus and L. canadensis) and hares (Lepus americanus)

1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 1287-1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl C. Bursey ◽  
Michael D. B. Burt
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Lepus Americanus ◽  
Lynx Rufus ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Lynx Canadensis ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Northeastern North America ◽  
Snowshoe Hares

Examination of 129 bobcats (Lynx rufus) from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Maine and 14 lynx (Lynx canadensis) from Newfoundland revealed the presence of adult Taenia macrocystis (Diesing 1850) in 86% of the bobcats and in all the lynx. Concurrent examination of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) showed that a high proportion of adult hares were infected with cestode larvae of the strobilocercus type. Scolices of these larvae were identical with scolices of T. macrocystis adults recovered from wild cats.Experimental infection of domestic cats with fresh larvae from hares yielded adult taeniids, within 42 days, which were identical with the adult T. macrocystis found in wild cats.Experimental infection of laboratory-reared snowshoe hares with eggs of these cestodes produced fully developed, infective strobilocercus larvae within 14 weeks, thus establishing that Lepus americanus acts as an intermediate host in the life cycle of T. macrocystis in northeastern North America.

Spatial organization of a lynx population

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 632-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim G. Poole
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Lynx Canadensis ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Snowshoe Hares ◽  
Land Tenure System ◽  
Range Overlap

I examined the home-range relationships and spatial organization of an untrapped lynx (Lynx canadensis) population in the southern Northwest Territories, Canada. I determined annual home ranges and static and dynamic interactions among 30 radio-collared adult lynx from April 1989 to April 1993. Densities of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), the main prey, declined during winter 1990–1991. There was extensive range overlap between sexes, and between certain pairs of female lynx. Ranges among most males and among other individual or pairs of females were more exclusive. Most intrasexual dynamic interactions indicated neither attraction nor avoidance, suggesting that home-range boundaries were maintained by passive means. Two male–female pairs showed some positive attraction during the early part of the first winter of low hare density. Home ranges of three male and three female lynx monitored for 3 consecutive years were stable. Spatial organization broke down during winter 1991 – 1992, when all resident lynx died or dispersed; this was concomitant with the first full winter of low hare density. Spatial organization observed prior to low hare densities may be described as a land-tenure system, based on prior residency, and may have served to regulate the density of this untrapped population during peak prey levels.

scholarly journals Spatio-temporal responses of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) to silvicultural treatments in the Northern Rockies, U.S.

2018 ◽  
Vol 422 ◽  
pp. 114-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph D. Holbrook ◽  
John R. Squires ◽  
Barry Bollenbacher ◽  
Russ Graham ◽  
Lucretia E. Olson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Lynx Canadensis ◽  
Canada Lynx ◽  
Silvicultural Treatments ◽  
Northern Rockies ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Behavioural responses of lynx to declining snowshoe hare abundance

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 2817-2824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. P. Ward ◽  
Charles J. Krebs
Keyword(s):  
Home Range Size ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Snowshoe Hare ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Lynx Canadensis ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Daily Travel

The behavioural responses of lynx (Lynx canadensis) to declines in snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) abundance were examined in the southwestern Yukon. Between April 1982 and June 1984, 11 lynx were radio tagged and monitored in and near the Kluane Game Sanctuary. Lynx home range size increased from 13.2 to 39.2 km2 concurrent with a decline in snowshoe hare abundance from 14.7 to 0.2 hares/ha. Below about 0.5 hares/ha, several lynx abandoned their home ranges and became nomadic, although they remained within the general study area. Lynx concentrated their foraging efforts in areas of relatively high snowshoe hare abundance and abandoned these areas after hares declined. Straight-line daily travel distance remained constant at 2.2−2.7 km/day above 1.0 hare/ha. Below 1.0 hares/ha, straight-line daily travel distances increased rapidly, reaching 5.5 km/day at 0.2 hares/ha. Three of seven radio-tagged lynx dispersed 250 km or more from the study area during the 1982 period of rapid hare decline. No similar long-distance emigrations were recorded after hare densities stabilized at less than 1.0 hares/ha. Trapping mortality was responsible for the loss of seven of nine radio-tagged lynx that travelled outside the game sanctuary. One lynx probably starved during the winter or spring of 1984. The high rate of trapping mortality outside the game sanctuary suggests that refugia in wilderness areas are important in maintaining lynx populations during periods of low recruitment.

scholarly journals CANINE DISTEMPER VIRUS–ASSOCIATED ENCEPHALITIS IN FREE-LIVING LYNX (LYNX CANADENSIS) AND BOBCATS (LYNX RUFUS) OF EASTERN CANADA

2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 611-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Yves Daoust ◽  
Scott R. McBurney ◽  
Dale L. Godson ◽  
Marco W. G. van de Bildt ◽  
Albert D. M. E. Osterhaus
Keyword(s):  
Canine Distemper Virus ◽  
Lynx Rufus ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Lynx Canadensis ◽  
Canine Distemper ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Free Living

56 EFFECTS OF PHYLOGENIC GENERA OF RECIPIENT CYTOPLASTS ON DEVELOPMENT AND VIABILITY OF CANADA LYNX (LYNX CANADENSIS) CLONED EMBRYOS

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 186 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. Gómez ◽  
J. I. Lyons ◽  
C. E. Pope ◽  
M. Biancardi ◽  
C. Dumas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Donor Cell ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Phylogenetic Distance ◽  
Lynx Canadensis ◽  
Gestational Length ◽  
Canada Lynx ◽  
Oocyte Donor

Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis; CL) once occupied 16 states in the Unites States of America, but small populations remain in only 3 states. Interspecies-somatic cell nuclear transfer (Is-SCNT) offers the possibility of preventing their extinction; however, developmental constraints on Is-SCNT embryos are proportional to the phylogenetic distance between the donor cell and the recipient oocyte. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) heteroplasmy may be involved in nuclear-cytoplasmic incompatibilities, thus inhibiting development of cloned embryos at the time of genomic activation. Minimizing the phylogenetic distance between the donor cell and recipient oocyte may enhance development of clone embryos. Caracal (Caracal caracal) may be suitable as an oocyte donor for SCNT and a recipient of CL cloned embryos because caracals hybridize with other felid species and share physical characteristics with the lynx family, marked by being previously classified in the lynx genera and having similar gestational length. To ensure compatibilities between the donor nuclei of the CL and the mitochondria of recipient oocytes, we (1) compared in vitro development of CL cloned embryos reconstructed with domestic cat (Felis catus; DSH) or caracal cytoplasts, (2) examined the mtDNA genotypes in CL cloned embryos, and (3) evaluated in vivo developmental competence of CL cloned embryos after transfer into caracal recipients. A total of 160 and 217 preovulatory oocytes were collected by laparoscopy from gonadotropin-treated caracals (n = 8) and DSH (n = 10) and used as recipient cytoplasts for reconstructing CL embryos. Results indicated that the phylogenetic genera of recipient cytoplasts did not affect embryo cleavage at Day 2 (caracal 50/55, 91% v. DSH 63/65, 97%), but development of CL cloned embryos to the blastocyst stage was higher when caracal oocytes were used as recipient cytoplasts (15/50; 30%) than with DSH cytoplasts (9/63, 14%; P < 0.05). The extent of mtDNA homoplasmy or heteroplasmy in CL cloned embryos was calculated by the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) derived from the DSH or caracal oocyte donors and from the somatic cell donor CL. DNA was isolated from 25 and 35 CL cloned embryos reconstructed with caracal or DSH cytoplasts, respectively. All amplified products after PCR were sequenced and SNP analyzed. All CL embryos reconstructed with DSH cytoplasts were homoplasmic, carrying mtDNA only from the DSH oocyte donor (n = 35; SNP DSH = 2-6). Embryos reconstructed with caracal cytoplasts were homoplasmic for CL mtDNA (n = 9; SNPCL = 10-12) or heteroplasmic (caracal × CL, n = 17; SNPCL = 7-9; SNP caracal = 2-3). A total of 69 (mean = 34.5 ± 4.9 per caracal) and 70 (mean = 35.0 ± 9.8 per caracal) CL cloned embryos reconstructed with caracal and DSH cytoplasts, respectively, were transferred into 4 caracal recipients; however, no pregnancies were established. In summary, Is-SCNT between 2 phylogenetically closer species favors retention of the donor’s mitochondria, which might lead to a better nucleo-cytoplasmic interaction for reprogramming of donor nucleus.

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