Balkan lynx
| Balkan lynx | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Felidae |
| Genus: | Lynx |
| Species: | L. lynx |
| Subspecies: | L. l. balcanicus |
| Trinomial name | |
| Lynx lynx balcanicus Bures, 1941 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Lynx lynx martinoi | |
The Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus[2] syn. Lynx lynx martinoi) is a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx in the Lynx genus.[3][4] It is found in eastern Albania and western Macedonia, with smaller populations in Kosovo and Montenegro.[5][6] It is considered a national symbol in the Republic of Macedonia[7] and appears on the Macedonian five denar coin.[8] It is believed that in Macedonia there are from 35 to 40 remaining Balkan lynx, mostly found in Mavrovo National Park.[9] This cat is considered to be the largest cat in the Balkans. It has been sighted in 2011 and 2012 in the northern mountainous region of Albania[10] and within the boundaries of the Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park.[11] It is classified as Critically Endangered in Albania and has been protected de jure since 1969, but despite this illegal poaching and habitat destruction threatens the remaining Balkan lynx populations in both Albania and Macedonia.[12] There are an estimated 15-20 individuals still alive in Albania.[13] The Balkan lynx has been on the brink of extinction for nearly a century, with total numbers estimated to be fewer than 50.[5] The Balkan lynxes' decrease in number have been thought to be due to illegal poaching.[14] The Balkan lynx starts mating around January to February, and gives birth in April.[15] While the Balkan lynx is listed as a subspecies in much of the news coverage and taxonomic references, there has been some dispute over those claims.[16][17]
References
- ↑ Melovski, D., Breitenmoser, U., von Arx, M.; Breitenmoser-Würsten, C. & Lanz, T. (2015). "Lynx lynx ssp. balcanicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 3.1 (3.1). International Union for Conservation of Nature.
- ↑ http://www.ivb.cz/folia/62/2/048-2012.pdf. Boris Kryštufek, 2012 - "Valid name for the Balkan lynx: Lynx lynx martinoi Mirić, 1978, is a junior synonym of Lyx lyx balcanicus Bureš, 1941", Folia Zool. – 62 (2): 121–124 (2013)
- ↑ Lynx lynx martinoi. ION: Index to Organism Names. Organismnames.com. Retrieved on 2012-12-31.
- ↑ Lynx lynx martinoi. Ubio.org (2005-12-09). Retrieved on 2012-12-31.
- 1 2 "IUCN/SSC - Cat Specialist Group - Balkan Lynx Compendium". Retrieved 10 May 2014.
A fragmented population of probably less than 50 individuals remains in western Macedonia and eastern Albania.
- ↑ "Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme 2006-2009". Retrieved 28 May 2014.
The present population of the Balkan lynx - described as an own subspecies Lynx lynx balcanicus - is estimated to be less than 100 individuals which are distributed in Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo.
- ↑ "Action urged to save Balkan lynx". BBC News. 3 November 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ Evans, Thammy (2004). Macedonia (4th ed.). Chalfont St. Peter: Bradt Travel Guides. p. 10. ISBN 9781841623955.
- ↑ Promocija na balkanskiot ris in Macedonian
- ↑ "IUCN/SSC - Cat Specialist Group - Balkan Lynx Compendium". Retrieved 10 May 2014.
The Association for the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) is pleased to inform you that on April 21st, 2012, the field researchers Aleksandёr Trajçe and Bledi Hoxha, got the second photo of a Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus) living in the wild in Albania. The picture was taken by means of camera-trapping devices, on March 28th 2012, at 08:33 AM, in the northern mountainous region of Albania.
- ↑ http://www.kora.ch/news/archiv/20110503.htm
- ↑ "The second Balkan lynx picture in Albania" (PDF). Retrieved 10 May 2014.
The species is classified in the Albanian Red List (Decree no. 146 / 2007, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration) with the status CR (critically endangered).
- ↑ "sociation for the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania" (PDF). Retrieved 10 May 2014.
Recent expert based estimates indicate that the lynx population in Albania is no more than 15 - 20 remaining individuals.
- ↑ Platt, John R. (2009-03-04) Last 100 Balkan lynx face possible extinction | Extinction Countdown, Scientific American Blog Network. Scientificamerican.com. Retrieved on 20 October 2011.
- ↑ "Balkan Lynx Field Handbook" (PDF).
- ↑ D. Gugolz; M. V. Bernasconi; C. Breitenmoser-Würsten; P. Wandeler (2008). "Historical DNA reveals the phylogenetic position of the extinct Alpine lynx" (PDF). Journal of Zoology. 275 (2): 201–208. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.2008.00428.x.
- ↑ Manuela von Arx; Christine Breitenmoser-Würsten; Fridolin Zimmermann; Urs Breitenmoser (2004). "Status and conservation of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Europe in 2001" (PDF). KORA Bericht. Bern. 19e.