FILE - In this April 19, 2005, file photo, a Canada lynx heads into the Rio Grande National Forest after being released near Creede, Colo. University of New Hampshire scientists have discovered a previously undiagnosed parasite transmitted by ticks and a virus in the Canada lynx. The New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory uncovered the findings during a recent research study. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
FILE - In this April 19, 2005, file photo, a Canada lynx heads into the Rio Grande National Forest after being released near Creede, Colo. University of New Hampshire scientists have discovered a previously undiagnosed parasite transmitted by ticks and a virus in the Canada lynx. The New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory uncovered the findings during a recent research study. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) Credit: David Zalubowski

Concord — The Canada lynx, listed as a threatened species by the federal government, may have one more thing to worry about.

University of New Hampshire scientists on Monday announced they have discovered a previously undiagnosed parasite transmitted by ticks as well as a virus in the medium-sized cat known for its long ears. The virus is similar to the Epstein-Barr virus that causes mononucleosis in humans and is related to a virus that infects domestic cats.

The New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory uncovered the findings during a recent research study. Two senior veterinary pathologists led the project and are expected to present their results today at the 74th annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference in Burlington, Vt.

“Even though the impact on the well-being of the cats is unclear, it’s certainly a concern and I’m glad that New Hampshire scientists paid attention to this,” said D.J. Schubert, a wildlife biologist with the Animal Welfare Institute in Maine. He noted a novel virus or parasite would not be worrisome but is for an animal already facing multiple threats.

The snow-loving feline, found from Alaska across Canada and into the northernmost part of the United States, has been listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act since 2000, largely due to habitat destruction.