Data from: The effect of reintroductions on the genetic variability in Eurasian lynx populations: the cases of Bohemian-Bavarian and Vosges-Palatinian populations

Over the past ~40 years, several attempts were made to reintroduce
Eurasian lynx to suitable habitat within their former distribution range
in Western Europe. In general, limited numbers of individuals have been
released to establish new populations. To evaluate the effects of
reintroductions on the genetic status of lynx populations we used 12
microsatellite loci to study lynx populations in the Bohemian–Bavarian and
Vosges–Palatinian forests. Compared with autochthonous lynx populations,
these two reintroduced populations displayed reduced genetic diversity,
particularly the Vosges–Palatinian population. Our genetic data provide
further evidence to support the status of ‘endangered’ and ‘critically
endangered’ for the Bohemian–Bavarian and Vosges–Palatinian populations,
respectively. Regarding conservation management, we highlight the need to
limit poaching, and advocate additional translocations to bolster genetic
variability.

近四十余年来，科研人员已多次尝试将欧亚猞猁（Eurasian lynx）重新引入西欧其原有分布范围内的适宜栖息地。总体而言，本次再引入工作仅释放了有限数量的个体，以期建立新的野生种群。为评估种群再引入对猞猁种群遗传现状的影响，本研究采用12个微卫星位点（microsatellite loci），对波西米亚-巴伐利亚森林与孚日-普法尔茨森林中的猞猁种群开展了遗传分析。相较于原生猞猁种群，这两个经再引入建立的种群遗传多样性均出现下降，其中孚日-普法尔茨种群的遗传多样性损失尤为显著。本研究的遗传数据进一步佐证了如下结论：波西米亚-巴伐利亚种群与孚日-普法尔茨种群的濒危等级应分别定为“濒危（Endangered）”与“极危（Critically Endangered）”。在保护管理层面，本研究强调需严格限制偷猎行为，并倡议通过额外的个体易地移植以提升种群的遗传变异水平。