Talk:Lynx

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The classification of the lynx lineage is contradictory to the classification in Felidae. There the genus Lynx and Pardofelis belongs to Pantherinae. That classification is used by Smithsonian and ITIS. We should use one classification scheme IMO, and not many inconsistent schemes. -- Cordyph 13:14 17 Jul 2003 (UTC)

I agree, Cordyph. From my bird work, I have learned to regard ITIS classifications with deep suspicion. The Smithsnian, however, is another matter entirely. Is their list recent? I'll slip over and have a look at it in a moment. Or, if you prefer, I'm happy to go with whatever classification scheme you like, as although we might want to revise it one day, it's doubtless more important to spend the bulk of our time filling in the vast empty gaps on the pedia, rather than buggerising about splitting hairs. I'll precis my source in a moment (which is pretty up-to-date with all the DNA work), then take a look at the Smithsonian list (wish their server wasn't so slow). Tannin

Hi Tannin - I didn't mean to say, that my classification scheme is "better" than yours. So I would not mind if it is changed, but it would mean to change the Felidae classification as well. The Smithsonian classification is of 1993; it lists Pardofelis as member of Pantherinae, while older classifications list the marble cat as member of the genus Felis. But may be, that this has changed in the meantime again. -- Cordyph 13:29 17 Jul 2003 (UTC)

No problem, Cordyph. Essentially, as I read the situation, it is all rather confused at present! (This DNA stuff is a two-edged sword!) It does look as though a revised cat family tree is taking shape, but whether we should adopt it yet is another question. I am all in favour of using the best and most recent information we can get. (This is a real advantage of the 'pedia - we don't have to stand or fall by an in-print publication date, we can update as often as we like.) However, we should aim to reflect the leading edge of reasarch, not try to predict it. So I guess that the best thing to do is thrash the classification around here in the talk pages and if it comes clear, then we can use it, and if it winds up staying confused, then that will be pretty good evidence that the new scheme is not yet ripe and that we should stay with the 1993 version for a year or two longer - in which case one of us can adjust the Lynx listing to fit with in with the 1993 list. (Go right ahead if you want to do that now, by the way.)

Here is what my New Encyclopedia of Mammals (Oxford, 2001) has to say (mixing their words and my paraphrasing):

"Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analysis have also clarified felid taxonomy at the subfamily level. The gene comparisons cluster the species into three major subfamilies:"

  • the Ocelot lineage, 7 species: Ocelot, Tiger Cat, Margay Cat, Mountain Cat, Kodkod, Geoffroy's Cat, Pampas Cat.
  • The Domestic Cat lineage, 7 species: Jungle Cat, Pallas's Cat, Sand Cat, Black-footed Cat, Wild Cat, Chinese Desert Cat.
  • The pantherine lineage, 23 species

The pantherine group in turn breaks down into six monophyletic subgroups:

  • Panthera genus: Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Jaguar, Snow Leopard
  • Lynx group: Lynx, Canadian Lynx, Iberian Lynx, Bobcat, Marbled Cat
  • Asian Leopard Cat group: Leopard Cat, Iriomote Cat, Flat-headed Cat, Fishing Cat
  • Carcal group: Caracal, African Golden Cat
  • Bay Cat group: Bay Cat, Asiatic Golden Cat
  • Puma group: Puma, Jaguarundi, Cheetah (yes! interesting that they put the Cheetah there!)

They don't say where the Clouded Leopard belongs, with the Panthera species, I guess.

They do say that the position of the Serval and the Rusty-spotted Cat is unclear, and don't try to assign them to any group yet.

I think I'll leave this sit here in talk for a while and go and do sometimg nice and relaxing, like a species account! Another cat? Or should I start on the monkeys? There are only 4680 mammal species, give or take a few - no shortage of work to do. Tony

That is really interesting, and I have never heard before of this classification scheme. I would suggest to mention it on the Felidae page, and to keep to the more traditional classification schemes in the species accounts. I mean, placing the cheetah in a group with the puma, that sounds almost as strange as placing a bird of prey into the Ciconiiformes ;-)

Exactly!

Or we follow the Dutch wikipedia and place all cats in the genus Felis (even the lion is Felis leo there) - although I think this is not done anymore since Linnaeus' times.

Have you actually read the Dutch Wikipedia? It says also Panthera leo for the lion! Pmaas 23:09, 30 December 2005 (UTC)


That's funny, when it comes to birds, the Dutch seem to be mad keen on splitting everything in sight.

As for the species accounts, I am not in the position to tell you what to do next. Do just what you like best. But if you absolutely don't know what to do: Yesterday I did a Canidae classification. From there you could make a species account using this photo: African Wild Dog.
I was a little bit confused by the name "Tony" under the last comment. Are you now signing with your real name? Anyhow, I may do the same for a change :) -- Mirko

Excuse me, Mirko, I was just musing aloud. And the sig, well, sometime I feel that a handle is a little impersonal. I was pondering making a start on the tenrecs, but it's late, and the African Wild Dogs sound easier - tenrecs are so diverse that writing them up will be hard work, and there is the matter of their proper classification to deal with: family or order?. Maybe I'll do tenrecs tommorow instead. Tannin

( parking this here, at least for now)

There are three subfamilies within the family Felidae. Of these, the largest is the Pantherinae, which includes the lynxes and also the Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Jaguar, and many less well-known species.

Contents

[edit] Random, irrelevant comment

Just FYI, under the "Appearance" section there was a random comment that said "Save the Lynx! Only 700 in existance[sic]!" I deleted it since I don't think the number is correct (I'm not even sure that Lynx are endangered, at least worldwide...It might be a good idea for someone who knows more about Lynx than I do to make a section on the Lynx's status as a endangered/not endangered), it was irrelevant to the section heading (and had no other context), and misspelled.

What's the actual population!?? School projects suck if you can't find the information. :(

[edit] :)

"Legal status

Hunting lynxes is illegal in many countries"

Good!! :) :) :) --e. 01:01, 12 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Possible added CATagory (no pun intended)

It seems many states allow Lynx as pets. Should this be mentioned? One interesting note is that North Dakota does not allow ownership of a 'canadian[sic] lynx' but does allow ownership of a 'russian lynx' in the state.--Bschott 18:39, 26 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Lynx Management Plan for Croatia

Lynx Management Plan for Croatia; PDF document is available in English - http://www.dzzp.hr/publikacije/Lynx%20Management%20Plan.pdf

[edit] Habitat Is Very Confused

The HABITAT section is confused, moreso vs. the map.

"Though it can be found in the northern regions of Scandinavia, it is primarily found in North America and also in pockets in the Himalayas."

What about Siberia? And later Tibet isn't mentioned.

In the US is only only found, reintroduced, in Colorado? What's up with the map then. And was it reduced (if in any way so) to just Canada -- or Canada and Mexico when purportedly exterminated in the entire US?

The entire issue of historical, remaining-but-sparse, and substantial population areas needs to be organized and clarified, and coordinted with a new map. The map ideally distinguishes the different species, indicates areas of only sparse population today visually (dotted fill instead of solid?), and has larger outlines showing the (assumed) historical range.

[edit] 21 meters?

At the beginning of the article, it states "Lynxes have long, seven meter tails". Now correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't that mean they'd have tails almost 23 FEET long? That's one big cat! I'd correct this, but I don't know what it's supposed to be.


Ummm don't they have cute bobbed tails?


I heard that the tail is, like, 30 millimeters long.

[edit] As pets

I knew a lady who bred part lynx, part main coon pets. It would be great if someone could address this type of thing. - Peregrinefisher 20:31, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Correction

Umm, I found something about midland ranches, hay, eating dog and girls named Katie, I don't think that that is accurate, but don't know how to fix it, will you fix it, please, as it is unreliable, unsupported evidence. Thank You —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.217.124.251 (talk) 05:27, 25 January 2007 (UTC). At full size The Lynx weighs about 48 pounds. A Lynxs tail is shorter and stubbier than a Bobcats long tail. They are medium sized cats with long ear tufts and a short bobbed tail.In length they are about 3 feet long. I love cats!

[edit] Colorado Re-Introduction

I added a couple lines about the 2007 shootings, included source, not sure if habitat is the proper section, but when I saw the Colo info I thought it might be relevant. Maybe a new section is needed about Human Intervention/Re-introduction programs? If you are an encyclopedia purist please be gentle, if you are lynx fan read the article. Cmaestas1 01:22, 17 June 2007 (UTC)

Shouldn't it be moved to Canadian lynx? Narayanese 08:57, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Missing species

I don't know much about wildcats, but I can at least count to four. There were only three species listed, despite the section starting with a declaration that there are four species. I added the Bobcat (Lynx rufus). 67.169.66.44 03:35, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] vandalism

i took off a crude comment in the apperance section, however it seems they messed up the formatting of the text. I dont know how to fix that. so somone who writes articles need to fix it :3 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.20.55.145 (talk) 00:30, 5 December 2007 (UTC)