Strong spatial segregation between wildcats and domestic cats may explain low hybridization rates on the Iberian Peninsula |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory 0909, Australia;2. Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia;3. NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Heydon-Laurence Building A08, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia;4. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Heydon-Laurence Building A08, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia;5. Pest Animal Research Centre, Invasive Plants and Animals, Biosecurity Queensland, 203 Tor Street, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia;6. NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia;7. Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia;8. Global Ecology Lab, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Heydon-Laurence Building A08, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia;9. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Western Australia 6983, Australia;10. Quantitative and Applied Ecology Group, School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia;11. Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia;12. School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia |
| |
| Abstract: | The European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) is an endangered felid impacted by genetic introgression with the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus). The problem of hybridization has had different effects in different areas. In non-Mediterranean regions pure forms of wildcats became almost extinct, while in Mediterranean regions genetic introgression is a rare phenomenon. The study of the potential factors that prevent the gene flow in areas of lower hybridization may be key to wildcat conservation. We studied the population size and spatial segregation of wildcats and domestic cats in a typical Mediterranean area of ancient sympatry, where no evidence of hybridization had been detected by genetic studies. Camera trapping of wild-living cats and walking surveys of stray cats in villages were used for capture–recapture estimations of abundance and spatial segregation. Results showed (i) a low density of wildcats and no apparent presence of putative hybrids; (ii) a very low abundance of feral cats in spite of the widespread and large population sources of domestic cats inhabiting villages; (iii) strong spatial segregation between wildcats and domestic/feral cats; and (iv) no relationship between the size of the potential population sources and the abundance of feral cats. Hence, domestic cats were limited in their ability to become integrated into the local habitat of wildcats. Ecological barriers (habitat preferences, food limitations, intra-specific and intra-guild competition, predation) may explain the severe divergences of hybridization impact observed at a biogeographic level. This has a direct effect on key conservation strategies for wildcats (i.e., control of domestic cats). |
| |
| Keywords: | Ecological barriers Genetic introgression Interspecific hybridization Wildcat conservation |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ |
|
