Publications
Peer-reviewed articles, reports and technical publications
My research focuses on large carnivore ecology, long-term monitoring, and applied conservation. Below is a selection of peer-reviewed publications and technical outputs. For complete and up-to-date publication lists, please refer to my academic profiles.
Academic Profiles
Google Scholar (citation metrics, full publication list)
Conceptualising Coexistence with Large Carnivores
Linnell et al. 2025, IUCN/SSC Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe
This report presents a conceptual framework for understanding and advancing coexistence between humans and large carnivores in Europe, drawing on decades of experience from conservation science, policy and practice. It emphasises that coexistence is not a fixed outcome but an ongoing, adaptive process requiring integration of ecological knowledge with social, governance and stakeholder dimensions — including conflict management, shared decision-making, and equitable distribution of costs and benefits. The framework highlights that successful coexistence depends on recognising diverse human values, building inclusive institutions, and aligning conservation measures with local and regional contexts across Europe’s landscapes. By combining scientific insight with practical experience, the report aims to guide evidence-based policies and collaborative approaches that support both thriving large carnivore populations and sustainable human livelihoods.
Continuing Recovery of Wolves in Europe
Di Bernardi et al. 2025, PLOS Sustainability and Transformation
This paper documents the ongoing recovery of wolf (Canis lupus) populations across Europe, showing that many populations have grown and expanded their range in recent decades after historical declines. Recovery, however, is uneven across regions — some populations are flourishing, while others are still constrained by management actions, habitat fragmentation, and socio-political challenges. The authors highlight that wolf recovery is not just an ecological story but also a social and governance issue, shaped by conflicting values, stakeholder interests, and differing management approaches across countries. The paper argues for evidence-based, collaborative policies that balance human livelihoods with large carnivore conservation to sustain this recovery.
Large Carnivore Distribution Maps and Population Updates
Kaczensky et al. 2024, IUCN/SSC Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe
Across Europe, populations of large carnivores — including wolves (Canis lupus), brown bears (Ursus arctos), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), golden jackal (Canis aureus), and wolverine (Gulo gulo) — have shown a remarkable recovery over recent decades following historical declines, driven in part by protection under the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and related conservation policies. Current distribution maps and monitoring data (2017–2022/23) indicate that these species are expanding their ranges and increasing in number across much of their historical range, although this resurgence also brings new challenges for coexistence with human activities and requires tailored management, continued monitoring, and stakeholder cooperation.
Biology, Ecology and Taxonomy of Anatolian/Persian leopard
Rosen & Mengüllüoglu 2022, CATnews Special Issue, The Persian Leopard
This paper provides a review of existing knowledge on the biology, ecology, and taxonomy of the Anatolian/Persian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana), synthesizing information on its morphology, distribution, habitat use, diet, behaviour, and genetic distinctiveness. We highlight how historical and recent research has shaped our understanding of this subspecies, while also identifying major knowledge gaps and conservation challenges related to habitat fragmentation, prey depletion, and human pressures. By bringing together scattered information across its range, this review offers a unified baseline to support future research, taxonomic clarity, and effective conservation planning for one of western Asia’s most threatened large carnivores.
A Monitoring Framework for Persian Leopard and Its Prey
Ghoddousi et al. 2022, CATnews Special Issue, The Persian Leopard
In this paper, we propose a comprehensive, range-wide monitoring framework designed to assess the status of the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana) and its key prey species across their entire distribution in western and central Asia. The framework integrates standardized survey methods, shared data protocols, and collaborative monitoring strategies, enabling consistent collection of presence, abundance, and trend data for both leopards and their prey. By combining camera trapping, genetic sampling, prey surveys, and habitat assessment, this approach supports adaptive conservation planning, transboundary coordination, and evidence-based management of one of the region’s most threatened large carnivores and the ecosystems they depend on.
Mapping the Distribution of the Persian leopard
Bheyl et al. 2022, CATnews Special Issue, The Persian Leopard
This study provides the first comprehensive, range-wide assessment of the historical and current distribution and habitat suitability of the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana) across western and central Asia. Using spatial modelling and a large dataset of verified observations, we mapped areas of suitable habitat and identified key core regions where the subspecies persists, as well as large portions of its historical range that have become fragmented or lost due to human impacts. The results highlight critical habitat patches and connectivity gaps, showing that while some strongholds remain, many populations are now isolated and at risk. These distribution and habitat maps form an essential foundation for transboundary conservation planning, targeted protection of core areas, and restoration of habitat connectivity to support long-term survival of the Persian leopard.
Diverging Ecological Traits Between Balkan lynx and Its Neighbouring Populations
Melovski et al. 2022, Mammalian Biology
The critically endangered Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus) occupies a tiny, isolated population in southeastern Europe and faces severe genetic erosion and very low genetic diversity. To inform genetic rescue planning, we compared its ecology with two neighbouring Eurasian lynx populations: the Dinaric (Carpathian subspecies) and the Anatolian (Caucasian subspecies). Although the Balkan lynx is genetically closest to the Anatolian population at the mitochondrial level, its prey preferences, habitat use, and ecological traits align more closely with the Carpathian lynx, particularly in terms of reliance on forested habitats and ungulate prey such as roe deer. This ecological similarity suggests that Carpathian lynx may be a better ecological match as a source for genetic reinforcement, complementing genetic data. For effective recovery, conservation planning should integrate both genetic and ecological compatibility when selecting source populations for reinforcement of the Balkan lynx.
Timing and Synchrony of Birth in Eurasian Lynx Across Europe
Mattisson et al. 2022, Ecology and Evolution
This study examined when and how synchronously Eurasian lynx across Europe give birth, using reproductive data from hundreds of lynx females. We found that lynx reproduction is strictly seasonal, with most births clustered around late May, and that birth timing varies with climate — lynx in northern, colder regions tend to give birth later and with tighter synchrony than those in warmer southern regions. Birth dates were delayed by colder spring temperatures, and the window of favourable conditions for raising kittens influenced how tightly births were synchronized. Despite this seasonal constraint, lynx showed flexibility in timing, suggesting they can adjust reproductive phenology across diverse environments — a potential advantage in the face of climate change.
Revised Eurasian lynx phylogeography based on new mitogenomes from Anatolia and Central Asia
Mengüllüoglu et al. 2021, MDPI Genes
This study broadened our understanding of the evolutionary history and biogeography of the Eurasian lynx by including mitochondrial genome data from previously unsampled Asian subspecies, the west Anatolian Caucasian lynx (Lynx lynx dinniki) and the central Asian lynx (L.l. isabellinus) . We found that Eurasian lynx populations fall into three major genetic clades spanning Central Asia, Southeast Europe/Southwest Asia, and Europe/Northern Asia, with lineage diversification starting much earlier than previously thought. Importantly, the Anatolian peninsula acted as a glacial refugium, and the Asian subspecies carry some of the most ancient matrilines, including genetic links to the critically endangered Balkan lynx. These results highlight the deep history and regional genetic distinctiveness within Eurasian lynx that would be overlooked without including southern populations.
Felis silvestris, IUCN Red List Assessment
Gerngross et al. 2021, The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The European wildcat (Felis silvestris), a medium-sized wild felid native to Europe, the Caucasus, and parts of adjoining Asia, is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution and a global population that exceeds the thresholds for threatened categories. Although global numbers appear large, the species faces important conservation challenges: many populations are fragmented and locally declining, hybridisation with domestic cats threatens genetic integrity, and reliable data on population trends remain limited in parts of its range. Regionally, national Red Lists identify varying threat levels, and conservation measures continue to focus on protection, monitoring, and reducing hybridisation and habitat loss across Europe and neighbouring regions.
The Comeback of Wolves in Western Anatolia
Arslan et al. 2021, Canid Biology and Conservation
This paper documents the recent recovery and range expansion of wolves (Canis lupus) in mid-western Anatolia, a region where the species was previously considered rare or locally absent. By compiling verified field records, camera-trap data, and local reports, we show that wolves have re-established a widespread and continuous presence across the region. The findings indicate a natural recolonization process, likely facilitated by reduced persecution, improved prey availability, and landscape connectivity. This distribution update highlights the resilience of wolves and underscores the need to integrate their return into regional wildlife management and coexistence planning.
Contrasting spatial tactics and very high population density in an Anatolian lynx population
Mengüllüoglu et al. 2021, Ecology and Evolution
In this study, we examined sex-specific spatial strategies of Eurasian lynx in north-western Anatolia using long-term GPS telemetry and live-trapping data. We documented the smallest home-range sizes and the highest population density ever recorded for a Eurasian lynx population. Females maintained highly stable and compact territories, while males adopted contrasting tactics, with both territorial males holding exclusive ranges and floater males ranging widely across multiple female territories. These findings reveal remarkable behavioural flexibility in lynx space use and provide important insights into how population density and mating strategies shape spatial organisation.
Wolves prefer wild prey over domestic in NW Anatolia
Mengüllüoglu et al. 2019, PeerJ
In north-western Anatolia during winter, wolves (Canis lupus) feed almost entirely on wild ungulates, with wild boar being the most common and most strongly preferred prey across different habitats. Even where domestic livestock are abundant, livestock make only a small contribution to their diet. These findings show that wolves in this region function largely as wild ungulate predators, highlighting their role in regulating wild boar populations and suggesting that restoring wild ungulate communities elsewhere in Anatolia — not reducing wolf numbers — will better support coexistence and reduce conflict.
Non-invasive faecal sampling is a better tool for estimating genetic diversity of populations of territorial species
Mengüllüoglu et al. 2019, PlosOne
In this study, we combined non-invasive faecal sampling with use of a detection dog with sampling from live-trapping to investigate the genetic diversity and spatial organisation of the Caucasian lynx (Lynx lynx dinniki) in north-western Anatolia. By analysing faecal samples alongside tissue from captured individuals, we showed that the population maintains high genetic diversity with no evidence of inbreeding, despite its relative isolation. We also found clear sex-biased spatial patterns, with females remaining close to their natal areas while males disperse over larger distances. Importantly, our results demonstrate that relying solely on invasive sampling can underestimate genetic diversity, and that non-invasive genetics provides a robust and effective tool for lynx conservation and population monitoring.
Caracal-prey interactions by spatial and temporal analyses
Mengüllüoglu & Ambarli 2019, European Journal of Wildlife Research
In this study, we used extensive camera-trap data to assess habitat use and activity patterns of the caracal (Caracal caracal) and its potential prey in the Köyceğiz Wildlife Development Reserve, southwestern Turkey. Contrary to local assumptions that caracals predominantly prey on wild goats, we found strong spatial segregation between caracals and wild goats, and high spatial overlap with other prey such as brown hare, field mice, chukar partridge, and wild boar. Temporal activity overlaps between caracals and these prey were moderate, indicating that predator–prey interactions are shaped by both space and time. Our results do not support wild goat as a primary prey species for caracal in this system, highlighting the importance of multi-species perspectives when understanding predator diets and informing management.
Genetic Diversity of Brown Bears in Turkish Caucasus
Ambarli et al. 2018, PeerJ
This study presents the first nuclear genetic assessment of the main brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in southwest Asia, focusing on the Grand Kaçkar Mountains (GKM) in northeastern Turkey. Using both hair and tissue samples collected over multiple years, we found substantial genetic variation in this population, showing that bears in the GKM are not genetically impoverished despite ongoing habitat alteration. Our analyses also revealed evidence of movement between habitat patches, indicating that gene flow persists across rugged terrain even where human activities — such as road construction and dam development — are fragmenting habitats. Because the GKM population represents a key source of genetic diversity in the region and could support future reintroductions, our results highlight the importance of maintaining habitat connectivity and minimizing anthropogenic impacts to safeguard long-term viability.
Foraging Ecology of Eurasian lynx in SW Asia
Mengüllüoglu et al. 2018, Ecology and Evolution
This study examines the foraging ecology of Eurasian lynx in southwest Asia and shows that, unlike many European populations, these lynx function as highly specialized hunters of brown hare. Across a wide range of habitats, hares dominated the diet, even where larger prey were available, indicating strong prey selectivity and limited dietary flexibility. The findings reveal a convergent ecological strategy with other lagomorph-specialist lynx species, such as the Canada and Iberian lynx. These results highlight that conserving lynx in southwest Asia requires protecting not only forest habitats but also healthy hare populations and the open landscapes they depend on, challenging management assumptions based solely on ungulate-focused systems.
First Camera Trap Pictures of Eurasian Lynx from Turkey
Ambarli et al. 2010, CATnews
This paper reports the first confirmed camera-trap images of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Turkey, providing the earliest photographic evidence of the species’ presence in the region. The images were captured during systematic camera-trapping surveys conducted in two regions in north-eastern and -western Anatolia, confirming that lynx persist in the area despite limited historical documentation. These records helped fill a critical gap in the species’ known distribution and highlighted the value of camera trapping as a non-invasive tool for detecting elusive carnivores. The findings provided a foundation for subsequent research and long-term monitoring of lynx populations in Turkey.