Editing Lynx (section)

== Species ==
All living species of ''Lynx'' are thought to descend from ''[[Lynx issiodorensis]],'' which first appeared during the early [[Pliocene]] in Africa, around 4 million years ago, shortly afterwards dispersing into Eurasia. The bobcat is thought to have arisen from a dispersal across the [[Bering Land Bridge]] during the Early Pleistocene, around 2.5-2.4 million years ago, with the Iberian lynx suggested to have speciated around 1 million years ago, at the end of the Early Pleistocene, the Eurasian lynx is thought to have evolved from Asian populations of ''Lynx issidorensis''. The Canada lynx is thought to descend from a separate later migration of Eurasian lynx over the Bering Land Bridge around 200,000 years ago.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Boscaini |first=Alberto |last2=Madurell-Malapeira |first2=Joan |last3=Llenas |first3=Manel |last4=Martínez-Navarro |first4=Bienvenido |date=September 2015 |title=The origin of the critically endangered Iberian lynx: Speciation, diet and adaptive changes |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0277379115300408 |journal=Quaternary Science Reviews |language=en |volume=123 |pages=247–253 |doi=10.1016/j.quascirev.2015.07.001|hdl=11336/50100 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

The Pliocene felid ''Felis rexroadensis'' from North America has been proposed as an even earlier ancestor; however, this was larger than any living species, and is not currently classified as a true lynx.<ref name="WCoW">{{cite book |last1=Sunquist |first1=Mel |last2=Sunquist |first2=Fiona |title=Wild cats of the World |page=[https://archive.org/details/wildcatsofworld00sunq/page/153 153] |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |year=2002 |isbn=0-226-77999-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/wildcatsofworld00sunq/page/153 }}</ref><ref name="Werdelin1981">{{cite journal|author1=Werdelin, Lars|title=The evolution of lynxes|journal=Annales Zoologici Fennici|volume=18|issue=1|pages=37–71|year=1981|url=http://catsg.org/iberianlynx/04_library/4_3_publications/W/Werdelin_1981_Evolution_of_lynxes.pdf}}</ref> Another [[Extinction|extinct]] species of ''Lynx'', ''L. shansius'', inhabited what is now northern China during the Early Pleistocene,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tong |first1=Haowen |last2=Zhang |first2=Bei |last3=Chen |first3=Xi |last4=Jiangzuo |first4=Qigao |last5=Liu |first5=Jinyi |last6=Wang |first6=Xiaoming |date=10 June 2023 |title=New carnivoran remains from the Early Pleistocene Shanshenmiaozui site in Nihewan Basin, northern China |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1040618223001313 |journal=[[Quaternary International]] |language=en |volume=658 |pages=60–79 |doi=10.1016/j.quaint.2023.04.003 |bibcode=2023QuInt.658...60T |access-date=28 April 2024 |via=Elsevier Science Direct}}</ref> though this species is considered by some researchers to be a junior synonym of ''L. issiodorensis''.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Kurtén, Björn|author2=Werdelin, Lars|title=The relationships of Lynx shansius Teilhard|journal=Annales Zoologici Fennici|volume=21|issue=2|pages=129–133|year=1984}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Jianzuo |first1=Q. |last2=Li |first2=L. |last3=Madurell-Malapeira |first3=J. |last4=Wang |first4=S. |last5=Li |first5=S. |last6=Fu |first6=J. |last7=Chen |first7=S. |year=2022 |title=The diversification of the lynx lineage during the Plio-Pleistocene—evidence from a new small ''Lynx'' from Longdan, Gansu Province, China |journal=Biological Journal of the Linnean Society |volume=136 |issue=4 |pages=536–551 |doi=10.1093/biolinnean/blac054 }}</ref>

=== Eurasian lynx ===
[[File:Lynx lynx2.jpg|thumb|right|Eurasian lynx]]
{{Main|Eurasian lynx}}
Of the four lynx species, the Eurasian lynx (''Lynx lynx'') is the largest in size. It is native to European, [[Central Asia]]n, and [[Siberia]]n forests. While its [[conservation status]] has been classified as "[[least concern]]", populations of Eurasian lynx have been reduced or [[local extinction|extirpated]] from much of Europe, where it is now being reintroduced.
During the summer, the Eurasian lynx has a relatively short, reddish or brown coat which is replaced by a much thicker silver-grey to greyish-brown coat during winter.<!--WCoW--> The lynx hunts by stalking and jumping on its prey, helped by the rugged, forested country in which it resides. A favorite prey for the lynx in its woodland habitat is [[Capreolus|roe deer]]. It will feed however on whatever animal appears easiest, as it is an opportunistic predator much like its cousins.<ref name="WCoW" />

=== Canada lynx ===
[[File:Lynx du Canada .jpg|thumb|right|Canada lynx]]
{{Main|Canada lynx}}

The Canada lynx (''Lynx canadensis''), or Canadian lynx, is a [[North America]]n felid that ranges in [[forest]] and [[tundra]] regions<ref name="BBCWildfactCanadaLynx">{{cite web |title=Canada lynx, American lynx |work=Science & Nature: Animals – Wildfacts |publisher=BBC |date=July 25, 2008 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/28.shtml |access-date=May 29, 2011}}</ref> across [[Canada]] and into [[Alaska]], as well as some parts of the [[northern United States]].  Historically, the Canadian lynx ranged from Alaska across Canada and into many of the northern [[U.S. state]]s. In the eastern states, it resided in the transition zone in which boreal coniferous forests yielded to deciduous forests.<ref name="National Wildlife Federation: Canadian Lynx">{{cite web |title=Canada Lynx |work=Science & Nature: Animals – Wildfacts |publisher=National Wildlife Federation |url=http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/wildlife-library/mammals/canada-lynx.aspx |access-date=March 1, 2013 |archive-date=February 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217131604/http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Mammals/Canada-Lynx.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> By 2010, after an 11-year effort, it had been successfully reintroduced into [[Colorado]], where it had become extirpated in the 1970s.<ref name="Col"><br />• {{cite news |last=Banda |first=P. Solomon |title=Lynx reintroduction ruled a success in Colorado |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[The Denver Post]] |date=September 18, 2010 |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_16107178 |access-date=September 18, 2010}}<br />• {{cite news |title=Colorado: Lynx No Longer Missing |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=New York Times |page=A13 |date=September 17, 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/18/us/18brfs-LYNXNOLONGER_BRF.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220103/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/18/us/18brfs-LYNXNOLONGER_BRF.html |archive-date=2022-01-03 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=May 29, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="DOW">{{cite press release
 |title=DOW Declares Colorado Lynx Reintroduction Program a Success
 |publisher=[[Colorado Division of Wildlife]]
 |date=September 17, 2010
 |url=http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/PressReleases/Press.asp?PressId=6650
 |access-date=September 18, 2010
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718225025/http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/PressReleases/Press.asp?PressId=6650
 |archive-date=July 18, 2011
}}</ref><ref name="CDOW">{{cite web|title=Success of the Lynx Reintroduction Program |publisher=[[Colorado Division of Wildlife]] |date=September 7, 2010 |url=http://wildlife.state.co.us/Research/Mammal/Lynx/ |access-date=September 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827101521/http://wildlife.state.co.us/Research/Mammal/Lynx/ |archive-date=August 27, 2010}}</ref> In 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated the Canada lynx a [[Threatened species#United States|threatened species]] in the [[lower 48 states]].<ref name="FedReg">{{cite web |title=§&nbsp;17.40 Special rules—mammals |work=65 Federal Register 16051 16086 |page=35 |publisher=[[National Archives and Records Administration]] |date=March 24, 2000 |url=http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/federal_register/fr3552.pdf |access-date=May 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018042312/http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/federal_register/fr3552.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2011}}</ref>

The Canada lynx is a good climber and swimmer; it constructs rough shelters under fallen trees or rock ledges.<!--BBCWildfactCanadaLynx--> It has a thick coat and broad paws, and is twice as effective as the bobcat at supporting its weight on the snow.<!--BBCWildfactCanadaLynx--> The Canada lynx feeds almost exclusively on [[snowshoe hare]]s; its population is highly dependent on the population of this prey animal.<!--BBCWildfactCanadaLynx--> It will also hunt medium-sized [[mammal]]s and [[bird]]s if hare numbers fall.<ref name="BBCWildfactCanadaLynx" />

=== Iberian lynx ===
[[File:Lynx pardinus.png|thumb|right|Iberian lynx]]
{{Main|Iberian lynx}}

The Iberian lynx (''Lynx pardinus'') is a [[vulnerable species]] native to the [[Iberian Peninsula]] in [[Southern Europe]]. It was the most endangered cat species in the world,<ref name="decpaper">{{cite web |last=Ward |first=Dan |title=LynxBrief |publisher=IberiaNature |date=December 12, 2008 |url=http://www.iberianature.com/material/documents/LynxBrief12E.pdf |access-date=May 30, 2011}}</ref> but conservation efforts have changed its status from critical to endangered to vulnerable. The loss of the species would have been the first [[Felidae|feline]] extinction since the ''[[Smilodon]]'' 10,000 years ago.<ref name="Cubs">{{cite news |last=Gonçalves |first=Eduardo |title=Captured cubs hold future of Europe's tiger |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/apr/21/highereducation.biologicalscience |date=April 21, 2002 |access-date=November 14, 2010}}</ref> The species used to be classified as a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx, but is now considered a separate species. Both species occurred together in central [[Europe]] in the [[Pleistocene]] epoch, being separated by habitat choice.<ref name="iucncsg">{{cite web|url=http://lynx.uio.no/jon/lynx/lynxib01.htm|title=Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)|year=1996|work=Cat Specialist Group Species Accounts|publisher=IUCN – The World Conservation Union|format=Page navigation contains an imagemap|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724185701/http://lynx.uio.no/jon/lynx/lynxib01.htm|archive-date=July 24, 2011|access-date=May 29, 2011}}</ref> The Iberian lynx is believed to have evolved from ''[[Lynx issiodorensis]]''.<ref name="Bjorn">{{cite book |first=Björn |last=Kurtén |title=Pleistocene Mammals of Europe |year=1968}}</ref>

=== Bobcat ===
[[File:Calero Creek Trail Bobcat.jpg|thumb|right|Bobcat]]
{{Main|Bobcat}}

The bobcat (''Lynx rufus'') is a North American wild cat. With 13 recognized subspecies,<!--Not in ref, common fact?--> the bobcat is common throughout southern Canada, the [[continental United States]], and northern Mexico.<ref name=ZielinskiKucera>{{cite book |first1=William J. |last1=Zielinski |first2=Thomas E. |last2=Kucera |year=1998 |title=American Marten, Fisher, Lynx, and Wolverine: Survey Methods for Their Detection. |page=74 |location=USA |publisher=Diane Publishing |isbn=978-0-7881-3628-3}}</ref> Like the Eurasian lynx, its conservation status is "least concern."<ref>{{Cite iucn |title=''Lynx rufus'' |author=Kelly, M. |author2=Morin, D. |author3=Lopez-Gonzalez, C. A. |name-list-style=amp |year=2016 |page=e.T12521A50655874}}</ref> The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits [[Temperate deciduous forest|deciduous]], [[Temperate coniferous forest|coniferous]], or [[Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests|mixed]] woodlands, but unlike other ''Lynx'', does not depend exclusively on the deep forest, and ranges from swamps and desert lands to mountainous and agricultural areas, its spotted coat serving as camouflage.<ref name=Whitaker>{{cite book |first1=William J. |last1=Hamilton |first2=John O. |last2=Whitaker |title=Mammals of the Eastern United States |publisher=Cornell University Press |year=1998 |isbn=0-8014-3475-0 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/mammalsofeastern00whit/page/493 493–496] |url=https://archive.org/details/mammalsofeastern00whit/page/493 }}</ref> The population of the bobcat depends primarily on the population of its prey.<ref name="Proposal">{{cite web|title=Deletion of Bobcat (''Lynx rufus'') from Appendix II |work=Thirteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties, Proposal 5 |publisher=[[Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora]] |date=October 2004 |url=http://www.cites.org/common/cop/13/raw_props/US-Lynx%20rufus.pdf |access-date=May 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102215719/http://www.cites.org/common/cop/13/raw_props/US-Lynx%20rufus.pdf |archive-date=November 2, 2013}}</ref> Nonetheless, the bobcat is often killed by larger predators such as [[coyote]]s.<ref>Fedriani, J. M., T. K. Fuller, R. M. Sauvajot and E. C. York. 2000. Competition and intraguild predation among three sympatric carnivores. Oecologia, 125:258–270.</ref>

The bobcat resembles other species of the genus ''Lynx'', but is on average the smallest of the four. Its coat is variable, though generally tan to grayish brown, with black streaks on the body and dark bars on the forelegs and tail. The ears are black-tipped and pointed, with short, black tufts. There is generally an off-white color on the lips, chin, and underparts. Bobcats in the desert regions of the southwest have the lightest-colored coats, while those in the northern, forested regions have the darkest.<ref name="cah" />