Lynx rufus (Schreber, 1777)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6376899 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6772736 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/5923B274-4677-C81B-E2FC-C98FFAAB945F |
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treatment provided by |
Conny |
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scientific name |
Lynx rufus |
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Bobcat
French: Lynx roux / German: Rotluchs / Spanish: Lince rojo
Other common names: Red Lynx, Bay Lynx, Cat Lynx
Taxonomy. Felis rufus Schreber 1777 View in CoL ,
“Provinz New York in Amerika”.
Taxonomists currently recognize twelve subspecies. Some studies, however, suggest that the actual number of subspecies may be less, and that modern taxonomy should be reassessed.
Subspecies and Distribution.
L. r. rufus Schreber, 1777 — C Canada (Saskatchewan, Manitoba & W Ontario) and C & NE USA (North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky & Tennessee).
L. r. bailey: Merriam, 1890 — SW USA and NW Mexico.
L. r. californicus Mearns, 1897 — SE USA (California).
L. r. escuinapaeJ. A. Allen, 1903 — Pacific coast and C Mexico.
L. r. fasciatus Rafinesque, 1817 = NW coast of USA.
L. r. floridanus Rafinesque, 1817 — SE USA.
L. r. gigas Bangs, 1897 — E Canada (Maritime Provinces), and NE USA (New England).
L. r. oaxacensis Goodwin, 1963 — S Mexico (Oaxaca).
L. r. pallescens Merriam, 1899 — SW Canada (British Columbia & Alberta), and W USA (Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada & Idaho).
L. r. perunsularis Thomas, 1898 — NW Mexico (Baja California).
L. r. superiorensis Peterson & Downing, 1952 — S Canada (Ontario), and N USA (Michigan, Wisconsin & Minnesota).
L. r. texensis J. A. Allen, 1895 — S USA (Texas), and NE Mexico (Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon & Coahuila). View Figure
Descriptive notes. Medium-sized, short-tailed cat. Head-body length is 65-105 cm, and tail length is 9-11 cm. Adult males average 8.9-13. 3 kg. Adult females average 5.8-9. 2 kg. Cranial measurements and adult weights indicate a size gradient that decreases with latitude. Kittens weigh 0.3-0. 4 kg at birth. The pelage contains various shades of buff-brown, and is mottled with dark spots and streaks. Some may have a rufous tint to the pelage. Cranial furis streaked with black, and the back of the earsis heavily marked with black. Forest subspecies are darker in color compared to subspecies inhabiting more open habitats. Melanism has been documented ten times in Florida and once in New Brunswick, both peripheral and peninsular portions of the species’ range. Adults have 28 teeth. Where range overlap occurs, can be confused with Canadian Lynx , another medium-sized, short-tailed felid. In comparison to it however, present species is generally smaller, and has shorter, more slender legs, smaller feet, ear tufts that are smaller than 3 cm or completely missing, and a longertail. Additionally, the ventral tail tip is white, whereas the tail tip is completely black in Canadian Lynx . Usually silent, but they can make loud vocalizations that may be associated with mating behavior.
Habitat. Throughout its range, uses a wide variety of natural habitats. These range from coniferous and deciduous forest in Maine to brushlands in Oklahoma, bottomland hardwoods in Louisiana, semi-deserts in Arizona and New Mexico, humid tropical forests in Florida, dry scrubland and forests of pine and oak in Mexico, mountainous terrain in Oregon, mixed mesophytic forests of the Cumberland Plateau, and prairies in eastern Montana. They can also inhabit human-altered landscapes such as agricultural lands,if sufficient cover exists nearby. Generally prefer rugged, rocky landscapes with dense cover. Prey density is the most important factor influencing habitat selection. However, other factors affecting habitat selection include protection from severe weather, availability of den sites, adequate cover for hunting and escape, and low human disturbance. Females will establish natal dens in small caves, rock crevices, thickets, hollow trees, brush piles, stumps, and root-masses from fallen trees.
Food and Feeding. Like most felids, use dense cover to stalk prey or to conceal themselves to ambush their prey. Although they feed on a diverse array of species, lagomorphs are commonly utilized throughout the species’ range. Cottontails and Snowshoe Hares are the two lagomorphs most commonly eaten. Generally select small to medium-sized prey (0.7-5. 5 kg), but they will kill prey as large as White-tailed Deer, especially in northern climates during winter. Usually kill deer by stalking a resting animal, pouncing on the back and head, and repeatedly biting the victim’s throat. However, most use of White-tailed Deer results from the opportunistic discovery of carrion. Ultimately, the kind of prey utilized is dependent upon geographic location. In Florida, Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), Marsh Rabbit (S. palustris), and Hispid Cotton Rat ( Sigmodon hispidus) account for 66-78% ofthe diet. Florida subspecies prey on birds more frequently and ungulates less frequently than do more northern populations. Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus), Mule Deer ( Odocoileus hemionus), and Mountain Beaver (Aplodontia rufa) are primary prey in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. In New England and New York, cottontail, Snowshoe Hare, and White-tailed Deer are the most important prey species. Snowshoe Hare, White-tailed Deer, and North American Porcupine ( Erethizon dorsata) compose over 90% of the winter diet in northern Minnesota. In eastern Nevada and Utah, 69% of the diet is cottontail and Black-tailedJackrabbit. Cottontail, squirrels, cotton rat, Eastern Woodrat ( Neotoma floridana), and mice ( Peromyscus spp.) are important components of diets in Arkansas. Females appear to prefer smaller prey than do males. Where ranges overlap, interference competition between Coyote, Red Fox, Puma , and present species may occur. Likely suffer most severely from this competition, because they show the greatest dependence on a single food source, lagomorphs. In Idaho, Pumas killed them during the winter while defending or stealing food.
Activity patterns. Crepuscular and nocturnal activity mostly coincides with peak activity of lagomorphs, their dominant prey. In general, the daily activity pattern is bimodal, with the first period of activity from one hour before sunrise to three hours after sunrise, and the second from three hours before sunset to midnight. In Florida, are most active between 18:00-24:00 h and least active between 12:00-15:00 h. Several studies have reported increases in daylight activity during winter. Adult females with kittens exhibit reduced activity during the first month following birth. However, after kittens are weaned, adult females increase diurnal activity. Usually inactive during periods of extreme heat or severe weather.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Solitary except during the breeding season. A variety of methods are utilized by this species to mark its territory including urine and feces deposition, soil scraping, tree scratching, and scent marking via anal gland secretions. Home range sizes vary with geographic location, sex, prey availability, and in some regions, season. Home ranges at higher latitudes are larger than those from more southern regions. Mean annual home range size for adult males varies from 2: 6 km? in Alabama to 163 km? in Idaho. Adult male home ranges often overlap with those of other males and females. Several studies reported that adult male home ranges expand during winter. This is apparently a response to maximizing breeding opportunities and seasonal shifts in prey availability. Adult female home ranges are usually 2-3 times smaller than those of adult males, and range from 1-2 km* in Alabama to 69-7 km® in Idaho. Overlap between adult female home ranges rarely occurs. However, a high level of intra-sex home range overlap was observed in Illinois. Adult females constrict home ranges during the summer due to parturition and kitten rearing. Annual home range sizes can fluctuate over time in response to changing prey densities. For example, adult male and female annual home ranges in south-east Idaho increased from 20-4 km? to 123 km? and 11-6 km? to 69-7 km? respectively, over a three-year period. These increases were attributed to declining Black-tailed Jackrabbit and Cottontail populations. Nightly movements range between two and 20 km. Young disperse when they are approximately one year old. Dispersal involves a series of nomadic movements punctuated with temporary occupancy of activity areas that can last 60 days. Dispersal distances range from less than 1 km to nearly 200 km. In Florida, two females dispersed at least 12 km and 30 km respectively.
Breeding. Breeding can occur year-round, but most occurs from February through May. Most females do not breed until two years of age, but breeding by yearlings has been documented. The estrous cycle is approximately 44 days, and females are usually in heat 5-10 days. Males do not breed until they are two years of age. A male may copulate with a single female multiple times over several days. Gestation takes approximately 62 days. One litter is produced per year, but there is evidence that a second litter may be produced by females that lose their first litter soon after parturition. Litters average three, but range from one to six kittens. Offspring open their eyes 9-10 days after birth, are weaned after two months, and begin traveling with their mother at about 3-5 months of age.
Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List. Historically, population trends have been driven by economic factors such as value of pelts, poultry depredation, and competition with humans for wildlife resources. Bounties were offered in the early 1700s as a means of controlling bobcat depredation on livestock and poultry. Prior to the 1970s,little concern was given to the conservation of predatory furbearers, including this species. Then public concern over the exploitation of wildlife led to the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which made it illegal to trade any species listed in Appendix I. This species was not placed in Appendix I of CITES, however, which allowed for the continued trade ofits pelts. Demand for pelts increased dramatically throughout the 1970s as the trade in other spotted cats declined. Annual harvests in the United States averaged 10,000 in the early 1970s (pre-CITES) at US $ 10 per pelt. By the end of the 1979-80 trapping season, more then 86,000 bobcats had been harvested at up to US $ 150 per pelt. In 1975, concern over decreasing populationsled to its placement in Appendix II of CITES, which allowed the export of pelts only if harvest was shown not to be detrimental to the population. Currently, remains on Appendix II and it is the only spotted felid in the world that can be trapped legally. Today, inhabits 47 of the 48 contiguous states (absent only from Delaware). Of the 47 states in which it occurs, 37 allowed the species to be harvested through 1996. Indiana, Ohio, NewJersey, and Iowa listit as “Endangered,” and Illinois classifies the species as “Threatened.” A recent study in Illinois concluded that it was widely distributed and no longer warranted classification as “Threatened” in the state. Populations in Mexico and Canada are also faring well. However,still persecuted by Mexican ranchers due to its alleged depredation of sheep. Because of conservation laws and its tolerance of moderate amounts of habitat change, the species appears to be secure throughout much of its range. In fact, the species is recolonizing many parts ofits historic range from which it had been extirpated.
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