PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF IBERIAN LYNXES (LYNX-PARDINUS) FROM DONANA, SOUTHWESTERN SPAIN

External and cranial measurements were determined for live-trapped Iberian lynxes and lynx skulls from Donana National Park, Spain, and its surroundings. Skins of Iberian lynxes from the same population collected between 1895 and 1986 were examined to determine pelage-pattern characteristics. Adult (greater-than-or-equal-to 2 years old) males were larger and heavier (27.3%) than adult females. Age-classes were statistically different for most skull measurements. Considerable variation was found between juveniles (0.5-1 year old) and subadults (1-2 years old). In 10 of the 19 skull measurements, adult males were significantly larger than adult females, including length of ml, mandibular fossa-length of P4, height of mandible, length of skull, and condylobasal length. Iberian lynxes were similar in size to the Nearctic bobcat (L. rufus) and the Canadian lynx (L. canadensis). Three main pelage patterns were present in the Donana population until 1960. Genetic variation of this population may have decreased during the past 3 decades as exemplified by the loss of the two rarest pelage patterns.