Lynx presence in Roman times in the lower germanic Limes region: The case of Alphen aan den Rijn

• Lynx bones were found at Castellum Albaniana in the Netherlands. Q-PCR and sequencing identified lynx mitochondrial DNA sequences. haplotype was not identical to ancient remains matched with a Southern European haplotype. In 2001 2002 an excavation conducted town of Alphen aan den Rijn Netherlands revealed vestiges Roman fort, , situated along historical Rhine delta used for centuries during occupation (41 AD − 275 CE). Among animal retrieved from surrounding defensive ditches, found. is currently native but might have been times it could transported Limes region by Romans or caught direct surroundings castellum . present study, we describe initially based on morphology. We performed amplification, alignment confirm species identification determine Previous haplotyping various sites reported other studies has shown that distribution Europe very different its current distribution. analysis cytochrome oxidase I B confirmed as Sequencing control carried haplotype, those North Sea fossil remains, comparable southern France. Analysis stable isotope bone materials, where lived, suggests provenance which comprises central including part