IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Marti, I.A. | |
| Dentition evaluation and morphological measurements for age estimation of Eurasian lynx (_Lynx lynx_) under field conditions - tools for epidemiological studies and species conservation | |
| 2017 Full Book | |
Ageing wild animals is essential to assess disease epidemiology and population dynamics and to implement conservation strategies. In the case of the Eurasian lynx (_Lynx lynx_), which is a protected and vulnerable species in Switzerland, no standardised ageing method was available except for annuli counts of extracted teeth. The aim of this thesis was 1) to develop noninvasive, time- and cost-effective lynx ageing tools applicable under field conditions, and 2) to provide baseline data on morphometric characteristics of lynx from Switzerland, considering age class and sex. Two different types of ageing tools were developed, using data from 180 free-ranging lynx examined in Switzerland between 1981-2017: dentition evaluation schemes based on tooth eruption and on 10 tooth wear criteria, which allow determining the age of juveniles in months and distinguishing 5 age categories for lynx "d1 year; and classification trees based on 17 body measurements, which allow classifying lynx as juvenile, subadult or adult. Body measurements were compiled for juvenile, subadult and adult males and females, providing information on the lynx growth pattern and sexual dimorphism. This thesis contributes to the knowledge of lynx natural history and offers non-invasive, fast and cost-free ageing tools characterised by an accuracy sufficient to a wide range of purposes and equally applicable on live and dead lynx. |
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