Felis rufus is the scientific name of a medium-sized cat native to North America, also known as the bobcat or the red lynx. It has a distinctive bobbed tail, black bars on its forelegs, and a coat that can be either one-coloured or spotted. It is an adaptable predator that can live in various habitats, from wooded areas to urban edges. It mainly feeds on hares, but also hunts other small mammals, birds, and sometimes deer.
But which of these species is most closely related to Felis rufus? To answer this question, we need to look at its taxonomy and evolution, as well as its similarities and differences with other members of the cat family.
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Taxonomy and evolution of Felis rufus
Felis rufus was first described by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1777. However, since then, it has been reclassified several times and placed in different genera. Currently, it is considered to belong to the genus Lynx, along with three other species: the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), and the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). These four species form a monophyletic group, meaning that they share a common ancestor and are more closely related to each other than to any other cat species.
However, within the genus Lynx, Felis rufus is not equally related to all the other species. According to molecular studies, it is more closely related to the Canada lynx than to the Eurasian or Iberian lynx. In fact, Felis rufus and Lynx canadensis are sister taxa, meaning that they diverged from a common ancestor more recently than from any other species. The divergence between these two species is estimated to have occurred about 2.6 million years ago, during the Pleistocene epoch.
Similarities and differences between Felis rufus and other Lynx species
Felis rufus and Lynx canadensis have many similarities in their morphology, behaviour, and ecology. They both have tufted ears, long legs, large paws, short tails, and thick fur. They both prefer forested habitats with dense cover and prey mainly on hares and rabbits. They both are territorial and solitary, except during the mating season. They both breed in late winter or early spring and have a gestation period of about two months. They both can produce up to four kittens per litter.
However, there are also some noticeable differences between Felis rufus and Lynx canadensis. Felis rufus has smaller feet, shorter ear tufts, and a more varied coat colour than Lynx canadensis. Felis rufus also has a wider distribution and a larger population than Lynx canadensis. Felis rufus ranges from southern Canada to Oaxaca in Mexico, while Lynx canadensis is mostly confined to Canada and Alaska. Felis rufus is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, while Lynx canadensis is listed as Near Threatened.
Felis rufus and the other two Lynx species (Lynx lynx and Lynx pardinus) have fewer similarities and more differences. They differ in their size, shape, colour, habitat preference, prey selection, social behaviour, reproductive cycle, and conservation status. For example, Lynx lynx is the largest of the four species, weighing up to 30 kg (66 lb), while Lynx pardinus is the smallest, weighing up to 15 kg (33 lb). Lynx lynx has a greyish coat with black spots and stripes, while Lynx pardinus has a tawny coat with dark rosettes. Lynx lynx inhabits boreal forests across Eurasia, while Lynx pardinus inhabits Mediterranean scrublands in Spain and Portugal. Lynx lynx preys mainly on ungulates such as deer and roe deer, while Lynx pardinus preys mainly on rabbits. Lynx lynx forms temporary pairs during the mating season but otherwise lives alone, while Lynx pardinus forms stable pairs that share a territory year-round. Lynx lynx breeds in late winter or early spring and has a gestation period of about two months like Felis rufus and Lynx canadensis but produces only one or two kittens per litter. Lynx pardinus breeds in late winter or early spring like Felis rufus and Lynx canadensis but has a gestation period of about two months like Felis rufus but produces only one or two kittens per litter. Lynx lynx is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, while Lynx pardinus is listed as Endangered.
Conclusion
To sum up, Felis rufus is a medium-sized cat native to North America, also known as the bobcat or the red lynx. It belongs to the genus Lynx, along with three other species: the Canada lynx, the Eurasian lynx, and the Iberian lynx. Of these four species, Felis rufus is most closely related to the Canada lynx, as they are sister taxa that diverged from a common ancestor about 2.6 million years ago. Felis rufus and Lynx canadensis have many similarities in their morphology, behaviour, and ecology, but also some differences in their size, colour, distribution, and population status. Felis rufus and the other two Lynx species have fewer similarities and more differences in various aspects.
