Ancient DNA reveals past existence of Eurasian lynx in Spain

R. Rodríguez-Varela; N. García; C. Nores; D. Álvarez-Lao; Ross Barnett; J. L. Arsuaga; C. Valdiosera

doi:10.1111/jzo.12289

Ancient DNA reveals past existence of Eurasian lynx in Spain

R. Rodríguez-Varela^*, N. García, C. Nores, D. Álvarez-Lao, Ross Barnett, J. L. Arsuaga, C. Valdiosera

^*Corresponding author for this work

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The known distribution of the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus within the Iberian Peninsula since the Middle Pleistocene and the lack of reliable records of Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in this region have led to the assumption that the Iberian lynx was the sole inhabitant of Iberia. In this study, we identified ancient mitochondrial DNA (a total of 337 base pairs from the control region and cytochrome b) from eight northern Iberian lynx remains as Eurasian lynx. These results confirm the presence of Eurasian lynx in northern Iberia from the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary until just a few centuries ago. The paleontological record and our data indicate a population replacement of the Iberian lynx by the Eurasian lynx during the Pleistocene/Holocene transition in the Cantabrian cornice of Spain. Phylogeographic patterns of Late Pleistocene and Holocene Eurasian lynx from Iberia, France, Italy and Denmark show that this felid had a more complex phylogeographic history in the past than modern day populations suggest.

Original language	English
Journal	Journal of Zoology
Volume	298
Issue number	2
Pages (from-to)	94-102
Number of pages	9
ISSN	0952-8369
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12289
Publication status	Published - 1 Feb 2016

Keywords

Ancient DNA
Eurasian lynx
Iberian lynx
Past distribution
Phylogeography

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10.1111/jzo.12289

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title = "Ancient DNA reveals past existence of Eurasian lynx in Spain",

abstract = "The known distribution of the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus within the Iberian Peninsula since the Middle Pleistocene and the lack of reliable records of Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in this region have led to the assumption that the Iberian lynx was the sole inhabitant of Iberia. In this study, we identified ancient mitochondrial DNA (a total of 337 base pairs from the control region and cytochrome b) from eight northern Iberian lynx remains as Eurasian lynx. These results confirm the presence of Eurasian lynx in northern Iberia from the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary until just a few centuries ago. The paleontological record and our data indicate a population replacement of the Iberian lynx by the Eurasian lynx during the Pleistocene/Holocene transition in the Cantabrian cornice of Spain. Phylogeographic patterns of Late Pleistocene and Holocene Eurasian lynx from Iberia, France, Italy and Denmark show that this felid had a more complex phylogeographic history in the past than modern day populations suggest.",

keywords = "Ancient DNA, Eurasian lynx, Iberian lynx, Past distribution, Phylogeography",

author = "R. Rodr{\'i}guez-Varela and N. Garc{\'i}a and C. Nores and D. {\'A}lvarez-Lao and Ross Barnett and Arsuaga, {J. L.} and C. Valdiosera",

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T1 - Ancient DNA reveals past existence of Eurasian lynx in Spain

AU - Rodríguez-Varela, R.

AU - García, N.

AU - Nores, C.

AU - Álvarez-Lao, D.

AU - Barnett, Ross

AU - Arsuaga, J. L.

AU - Valdiosera, C.

PY - 2016/2/1

Y1 - 2016/2/1

N2 - The known distribution of the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus within the Iberian Peninsula since the Middle Pleistocene and the lack of reliable records of Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in this region have led to the assumption that the Iberian lynx was the sole inhabitant of Iberia. In this study, we identified ancient mitochondrial DNA (a total of 337 base pairs from the control region and cytochrome b) from eight northern Iberian lynx remains as Eurasian lynx. These results confirm the presence of Eurasian lynx in northern Iberia from the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary until just a few centuries ago. The paleontological record and our data indicate a population replacement of the Iberian lynx by the Eurasian lynx during the Pleistocene/Holocene transition in the Cantabrian cornice of Spain. Phylogeographic patterns of Late Pleistocene and Holocene Eurasian lynx from Iberia, France, Italy and Denmark show that this felid had a more complex phylogeographic history in the past than modern day populations suggest.

AB - The known distribution of the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus within the Iberian Peninsula since the Middle Pleistocene and the lack of reliable records of Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in this region have led to the assumption that the Iberian lynx was the sole inhabitant of Iberia. In this study, we identified ancient mitochondrial DNA (a total of 337 base pairs from the control region and cytochrome b) from eight northern Iberian lynx remains as Eurasian lynx. These results confirm the presence of Eurasian lynx in northern Iberia from the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary until just a few centuries ago. The paleontological record and our data indicate a population replacement of the Iberian lynx by the Eurasian lynx during the Pleistocene/Holocene transition in the Cantabrian cornice of Spain. Phylogeographic patterns of Late Pleistocene and Holocene Eurasian lynx from Iberia, France, Italy and Denmark show that this felid had a more complex phylogeographic history in the past than modern day populations suggest.

KW - Ancient DNA

KW - Eurasian lynx

KW - Iberian lynx

KW - Past distribution

KW - Phylogeography

U2 - 10.1111/jzo.12289

DO - 10.1111/jzo.12289

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:84941028711

SN - 0952-8369

VL - 298

SP - 94

EP - 102

JO - Journal of Zoology

JF - Journal of Zoology

IS - 2

ER -

Ancient DNA reveals past existence of Eurasian lynx in Spain

Abstract

Keywords

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