Parameter estimates for the best model in the set of candidate models (presented in Table 3).

<p>Parameters are presented on the link-scale (log-link in the negative binomial model; logit-link in the zero-inflation model).</p>*<p>log(<i>theta)</i> parameter of the negative binomial model estimated at 1.498 (se = 0.490).</p

Prey found at clusters from Eurasian lynx (<i>Lynx lynx</i>) in south-eastern Norway during summer, 1995–2011, grouped by study area (see text for explanation).

<p>Percentages are based on frequency of occurrence.</p>a<p>Calves.</p>b<p>Lemming (<i>Lemmus lemmus</i>), Brown rat (<i>Rattus norvegicus</i>), 3 red squirrels (<i>Sciurus vulgaris</i>), and 1 Eurasian beaver (<i>Castor fiber</i>).</p>c<p>3 Wood Pigeon (<i>Columba palumbus</i>), 1 Meadow Pipit (<i>Anthus pratensis</i>), 6 unknown birds.</p>d<p>2 moose carcasses, 1 roe deer carcass.</p

Average number of sheep killed per 30 days, estimated lamb and roe deer densities, in four study areas in southern Norway during summer, 1995–2011.

<p>Standard deviations in brackets.</p

Map of the study area, showing the 4 areas of data collection of lynx (<i>Lynx lynx</i>) predation on sheep from 1995 to 2011.

<p>The shaded areas indicate the four study areas, Region 5 (Hedmark County 1995–1999), Region 4 (Oslo, Akershus, Østfold Counties 2001–2006), Region 2 north (Buskerud, Telemark, and Oppland Counties 2006–2011), and Region 2 south (Buskerud, Telemark, and Vestfold Counties 2006–2011). For each of the 4 study areas the estimated roe deer and lamb densities are indicated as number of lambs or roe deer per square kilometre.</p

Predicted kill rates (i.e. number of sheep killed in 30 days) under different roe deer densities for male (solid black lines) and female (dashed red lines) lynx.

<p>Upper lines for each sex are predicted kill rates under high sheep density (95% percentile of observed lamb densities: 6.6 lamb km⁻²) and lower lines are predictions for low sheep density (5% percentile of observed lamb densities: 0.1 lamb km⁻²). Scatter plot inset in right corner represents the raw data.</p

AICc values for all evaluated models, together with ΔAIC values.

<p>The models are presented in the format of the R-language, so that x₁+x₂|x₃+x₄ is read so that the first part represents the negative binomial part of the model (x₁+x₂;”count process”) whereas the latter part is the referring to the zero-inflated part of the model (x₃+x₄ ;excess zeros). [lam = lamb density, sex = lynx sex, roe = roe deer density index].</p