N. Fernandez et F. Palomares, The selection of breeding dens by the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus): implications for its conservation, BIOL CONSER, 94(1), 2000, pp. 51-61
We investigated the preferences shown by Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) for s
tructures and sites for denning in Donana National Park. Lynx proved to be
highly selective regarding the features of the natural structures selected,
but their preferences concerning the characteristics of the habitat for th
e denning sites were not so evident. All located litters were born inside h
ollow trunks with very large cavities (mean area = 0.40 m(2)). Later, they
were moved into bushes characterised by their large size (mean area = 201.7
m2) and protective capabilities. We used logistic regressions to explore t
he relative strength of association between the selection of dens, the char
acteristics of their structure and those of the habitat around dens. The re
gressions indicated that the physical nature of dens was more important for
breeding lynxes than habitat features (like prey densities or structure of
vegetation). Preserving old growth habitats is important for the conservat
ion of the endangered Iberian lynx because they provide suitable breeding s
tructures. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.