Research overview: Iberian lynx genetics and inbreeding

Having passed through a severe bottleneck, the Iberian lynx carries very low genetic diversity, and this overview reviews research on the resulting risks. Studies document signs of inbreeding, including reduced fertility and physical abnormalities, and have used genomic data to guide breeding and translocation decisions that maximize remaining diversity and avoid pairing close relatives. Genetic rescue through mixing the historically isolated populations has been part of the recovery strategy. Monitoring genetic health remains essential because low diversity leaves the species vulnerable to disease and reduced adaptability even as numbers grow. The Iberian lynx case illustrates both the dangers of genetic erosion in small populations and the practical use of genomics in hands-on conservation management.