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Aldama, J. J. and Delibes, M. 1990.
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The lynx digestion efficiency fed with rabbits was examined following the additive energetics model discussed by Grodzinski and Wunder (1975). The main objective of this work was to determine the metabolizable energy obtained by lynxes from wild rabbits. It was estimated: 1) the fresh biomass that the lynx did not use from each killed rabbit, 2) the gross energy intake of the consumed biomass, 3) the energy lost in faeces and consequently the digested energy, and 4) finally, the metabolizable energy. |
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Aldama_&_Delibes_1990_Rabbit_energy_utilization_by_Spanish_lynx.pdf |
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Aldama, J. J. and Delibes, M. 1991. |
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Usually lynxes forage alone. However, the low rate of interactions with conspecifics probably does not mean a reduction of the ability of each lynx to recognize other individuals. For this reason, in some particular cases family-related groups may gather as it happens with some more social species of felids, such as lions. Herein we report two observations (one year elapsed) of a family related feeding group of free-ranging radiocollared Spanish lynxes at Doñana region, SW Spain. The family group was formed by an adult female, mother of a young independent female and a yearling male. |
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Aldama, J. J. and Delibes, M. 1991.
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Play behaviour is well documented in felids, but the funcional significance of this activity remains unclear. Moreover, most of the information conserning play in felids has been provided by observations of domestic and/or captive individuals as free-living wild felids are usually rare, solitary and frequently nocturnal. In this note we report some observations of two free-living Spanish lynxes (Felis pardina), a juvenile and an adult, playing with wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Doñana, south-west Spain. |
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Aldama, J. J., Beltran, J. F.,
and Delibes, M. 1991. |
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We developed an additive model to estimate seasonal energy expenditure of nonreproductive, free-ranging Iberian lynx (Felis pardina) at Doñana National Park in southwestern Spain. We considered only resting, locomotion, hunting, and eating costs. Data for the model were provided by radiomonitoring an adult male (15.4 kg) and an adult female (9.95 kg) in 24-hour samples (n=53) between 1983 and 1985. Average daily energy expenditure was 912 kcal for the male and 673 kcal for the female, with greater seasonal variation in the male. Based on the energy content fo the lynx's staple prey, the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), we estimated the prey requirements of this endangered felid as about 1 rabbit per day. |
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Alfonso, C. 2002. |
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Popular article on the Iberian Lynx Captive Breeding Programme that has recently been established, and which has the fundamental objective to secure the conservation of this big cat. |
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Alfonso, C. 2003. |
| The Ministry of Environment and the Junta de Andalucía have signed a Agreement to apply the National Strategy for the Conservation of the Iberian Lynx in Andalucía. It directs to increase the efforts for the development of a unique coordinated programme for the conservation of the lynx in Andalucía through the impulse of the Captive Breeding Plan, the amelioration of lynx habitat, the recovery of the rabbit populations, the elimination of the non-natural mortality and the surveillance of the populations. |
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Angulo, E. 2001. |
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I would like to give an example where genetic engineering of viruses can undermine careful management of natural resources. Two new rabbit virus strains are being developed for opposing reasons. On the one hand, a group in Australia is modifying rabbit myxoma virus to transmit reproductive sterility and so reduce numbers in a region where rabbits constitute a pest. On the other, a European group is modifying myxoma virus to express rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus capsid protein to protect rabbits against both diseases and encourage the recovery of wild populations within the species' original distribution area. |
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Angulo Aguado, E. 2003. |
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Angulo_2003_Tesis_Conejo_en_Andalucia_Introduction_&_Objectives.pdf |
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Angulo, E. and Villafuerte, R.
2003. Modelling hunting strategies for the conservation of wild rabbit populations. Biological Conservation 115: 291-301. |
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Recently, European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations have undergone a sharp decline that may be exacerbated by hunting. We investigate the effects of the timing of hunting on the conservation of wild rabbit using a model for rabbit population dynamics. Scenarios with different hunting rates and age strategies were simulated for different population qualities. We interviewed hunters to ascertain the degree to which they would accept a change in the timing of hunting. We also investigated the hunting pressure applied by hunters and its relationship with rabbit abundance. Modelling results indicate that the current hunting season has the greatest impact on rabbit abundance. Hunting in late spring optimises hunting extraction while conserving rabbit populations. When the rabbit population quality is low the effects of age strategies and the timing of hunting are less important than the effect of the hunting rate applied. Almost half the hunters would agree to policy changes. More than 75% of hunters implemented self-imposed hunting restrictions to improve rabbit populations, that were more frequently applied in high rabbit abundance areas. Therefore, changing the timing of hunting and increasing the participation of hunters in low abundance areas could optimise both the exploitation and the conservation of wild rabbit populations in southwestern Europe. |
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Angulo_&_Villafuerte_2003_Modelling_hunting_strategies_for_rabbit_populations.pdf |
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Anonymous. 1978. |
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Basic information on Iberian lynx distribution, population size, habitat and ecology, threats to survival, conservation measures taken, and conservation measures proposed. |
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Aparicio, J. P., Solari, H. G., and Bonino, N.
2004. |
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Co-circulation of several strains of parasites has been observed in many host-parasite systems. However, simple epidemiological models cannot sustain this coexistence. In this work we study the coexistence of viral strains in the myxomatosis case. Myxomatosis, a highly lethal disease of the European rabbit, has been used in Australia and Europe as a biological control of rabbit populations. A few years after its introduction, the original highly virulent strains were almost completely replaced by field strains covering a wide range of virulence. Here, we study several mechanisms that may explain the field observations. First we considered spatial heterogeneity. The establishment of any strain over regions occupied by host populations may delay the spread of any superior competitive virus strain, producing global coexistence in the long term. On the other hand, sub-populations with different resistance levels in epidemiological contact, as observed in the field, can maintain several different virus strains co-circulating. The second class of mechanism introduces diversity among hosts of a local population sharing a territory. We considered different classes of host resistance to myxomatosis: belonging to a resistance class is a random fact. Host age-dependent resistance is also especially considered. These types of population heterogeneity can sustain local coexistence for many years, although exclusion takes place for long enough periods. The concurrent action of both types of mechanisms could explain why the diversity of virus strains is sustained, and the local coexistence. Finally, we briefly discuss the influence of host genetic dynamics in the coevolution of the system. |
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Aparicio_et_al_2004_Host-parasite_systems_-_the_myxomatosis_case.pdf |
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Araújo, M. B. 1999. |
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Representativeness is a desirable property of conservation networks. In this paper an attempt is made to assess the efficiency of current conservation networks in Portugal in representing vertebrates (reptiles and amphibians) and plants (gymnosperms, pteridophytes and bryophytes). It was found that whilst the protected areas do not sample all species in the database they provide a better result than choosing areas at random. For the goal of maximizing representation of taxa per unit area hotspots and complementarity performed better. A pattern of over-representation of vertebrates in relation to lower plant was discovered among selected conservaiton areas in Portugal suggesting that charismatic organisms with large home ranges may not always be the most appropriate surrogates for biodiversity when representativeness is sought. When trying to fill the gaps in current protected areas with additional areas only complementarity preformed better than choosing areas at random. Both rarity and richness hotspots gave worse results. Opportunistic administrative criteria such as supplementing the PAS with other conservation areas (CORINE Biotopes) without taking into account their contribution to a representation goal was nearly half as good as choosing areas at random. The results recall for the need of explicit goals and accountable methods in area selection fro conservation and reinforce the role of complementarity for finding additional areas to protected areas when limited resources are available for "in situ" conservation. |
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Araujo_1999_Biodiversity_distribution_and_reserve_network_design_in_Portugal.pdf |
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Aymerich, M. 1982. |
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A comparative study of the feeding habits of the Spanish lynx and the wildcat was conducted in central Spain, by analyzing digestive tracts of these 2 spp. Rabbits, hares and red partridges amount to 97.2% for the lynx and 79.3% for the cat of the biomass consumed. The only main difference is the larger number of small mammals caught by the cat. The similitary of their feeding habits and the fact that they live in the same biotope indicate a possible feeding rivalry between these 2 felines; this competition does not seem to be important for the cat's survival at a regional level. It could be possible that locally, lynx has a negative influence on the cats density; this fact has not been demostrated. |
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Aymerich_1982_Regimes_alimentaires_du_lynx_pardelle_et_du_chat_sauvage.pdf |
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Aymerich, M. 2002. |
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Aymerich_2002_Framework_for_Iberian_lynx_conservation_Spain.pdf |