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Iberian Lynx ex-situ Conservation Program Update
Abstract
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The Iberian lynx ex-situ conservation program is a multidisciplinary effort integrated within the National Strategy for the Conservation of the Iberian Lynx and carried out in collaboration with autonomic, national, and international organizations. The first phase of the ex-situ program is presently taking place in El Acebuche Breeding Center, Doñana National Park, Southeast Spain.
... Since the very beginning, one of the major problems within the conservation breeding of Iberian lynx was the relatively high incidence of abortion, premature birth and juvenile mortality. Therefore, a nonintrusive video surveillance system was installed (Vargas et al., 2005), and a non-invasive pregnancy test was required. In lynx, however, faecal steroid profiles do not follow the typical pregnancy pattern of felids and, thus, have been considered an inappropriate method for monitoring reproductive activity . ...
Contents
Assisted reproductive technology ( ART ) has great potential for conservation, but its successful application in captive breeding programmes of endangered species is often compromised by limited background on species' biology. Although carnivore species benefit from knowledge obtained in domesticated species (dogs, cats and ferrets), the focus of research is different. In pet animals, research in reproduction has mainly been focused on ovarian function and contraception, although substantial progress has also been made in the field of in vitro embryo production, transgenic embryos and cloning to aid relevant medical models. In endangered species, however, research should focus on characterizing reproductive traits (cyclicity and seasonality) to unravel species‐specific endocrine principles of reproduction physiology. Based on this knowledge, it is crucial to enhance the ability to manipulate female reproductive cycles, especially those of embryo recipients. Furthermore, research conducted on molecular and cellular mechanisms of gamete and embryo development, as well as on cryopreservation protocols of gametes and embryos, is required for successful implementation of advanced ART to wild carnivores. This review will provide a summary on the state of the art with focus on ART contributing to conservation breeding of endangered carnivores.
... In most species of mammals sibling aggression is shown to be the direct result of escalated competition (Drummond 2006, Hofer & East 2008. Early and spontaneous sibling aggression occurs both in Eurasian Lynx lynx (Sokolov et al. 1994) and Iberian L. pardinus lynx litters (Vargas et al. 2005). These fights differ from other types of aggression by exhibiting high motivation levels, spontaneous and apparently reasonless starts, and a lack of ritualized threats. ...
Early spontaneous sibling aggression is known in Eurasian lynx and Iberian lynx. It differs from other types of aggression in lynx and other animals. In 2010 similar sibling fights in a bobcat Lynx rufus litter were recorded at the Tchernogolovka Research Centre in Russia.
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Social play fulfills an important function in creating and maintaining relations between siblings. However, its relationship with the intralitter social processes is poorly understood. It was noticed that, in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) litters, sex differences in social play are absent in the first 2–3 months of life. It was found that the most intense periods of play behavior (at an age of 9 and 12 weeks) coincide with periods of aggression. Gradual change in play interactions, which require close physical contact by play elements with increased motor activity, are described. This reflects the changes in the relevance of certain skills of lynx cubs as they grow older.
The changes in play, affiliative and aggressive relations among lynx littermates were studied for 11 kittens from 4 different litters in captivity. Sibling fights were observed in these litters at the age of 36-57 days. The fights resulted in a decrease in the frequency of playful contacts in the litters. This “fight period” coincided with the intense development of playful behavior and dietary changes. The asymmetry of playful contacts and siblings’ preferences were much clearer after the fights. These fights led to the establishment of a hierarchical dominance structure in the litters
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