IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library
   

 

View printer friendly
Werhahn, G.; Kusi, N.; Karmacharya, D.; Sherchan, A.M.; Manandhar, P.; Manandhar, S.; Bhatta, T.R.; Joshi, J.; Bhattarai, S.; Sharma, A.N.; Kaden, J.; Ghazali, M.; Senn, H.
Eurasian lynx and Pallas's cat in Dolpa district of Nepal: genetics, distribution and diet
2018  Cat News (67): 34-36

The Eurasian lynx _Lynx lynx _and the Pallas's cat _Otocolobus manul_ are elusive felids which are little studied in the Himalayas of Nepal where they seem to occur at low densities. We present mtDNA genomic and dietary data of six Eurasian lynx scats and one Pallas's cat scat collected in Dolpa district of Nepal. The Eurasian lynx scats were found in alpine shrub lands at elevations from 4,738 - 4,818 m. Dietary analysis based on microscopic frequency of occurrence revealed that the six Eurasian lynx scats contained 56 % woolly hare _Lepus oiostolus_, 17.7 % pika _Ochotona_ sp. and rodent _Alticola_ sp., 9.7 % Himalayan marmot _Marmota himalayana_, 7 % vegetation and 3.3 % domestic goat_ Capra aegagrus hircus_. The Pallas's cat scat found in a rocky boulder field contained 76 % pika hair, 18 % woolly hare hair and 4 % vegetation. This study provides the first scientific record of Eurasian lynx in Shey-Phoksundo National Park SPNP. The finding on Pallas's cat represents an expansion of the IUCN distribution range in Nepal, presents the second locality record of the species in the country, and with the sample collected at 5,539 m is the highest elevation record for the species to date. Further researches into population status, ecology, genetics and conservation of these elusive felids in the Himalayas are recommended.

PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here

 

(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union)