IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Trigo, T.C. | |
| Hibrida‡Æo e introgressÆo entre esp‚cies de fel¡deos neotropicais (Mammalia, Carnivora) | |
| 2008 Full Book | |
Hybridization between species and populations may provide an excellent opportunity to study genetic, demographic and ecological relationships between closely related taxa, and the evolutionary processes involved in the maintenance of the species distinctness. At the present study, we aim to evaluate the different biological aspects involved on the hybridization processes between three Neotropical felids: _Leopardus tirginus_, _L. geoffroyi_ and _L. colocolo_. Genetic surveys, performed with a combined analysis of different molecular markers such as mitochondrial DNA, microsatellite loci and Y and X chromosomes segments on the three felid species, revealed two different patterns of hybridization between _L. tigrinus_ and _L. colocolo_ at central and northeastern Brazil and between _L. tigrinus_ and _L. geoffroyi_ at southern Brazil. The hybridization between _L. tigrinus_ and _L. colocolo_ was inferred as an ancient event, being, currently, absent or restricted to esporadic events in the central Brazilian region. On the other hand, hybridization between _L. tigrinus_ and _L. geoffroyi_ in southern Brazil seemed to be nearly restricted to Rio Grande do Sul state as one of the most intensive hybridization events documented in carnivores, in which approximately 60% of the local population carry a hybrid origin. A wide variety of recombinante types was identified for this pair of species indicating the production of fertile hybrids apparently able to cross with each other and also with both parental species, leading to the genetic homogenization of the local populations of the two species. This hybrid zone seemed to be also assimetric in _L. geoffroyi_ direction, suggesting the existence of selective pressure that favours backcrossings with this species. Morphological and ecological analyzes was also performed at _L. tigrinus_ and _L. geoffroyi_ from Rio Grande do Sul state aiming to characterize both species in their contact zones. Despite the extensive hybridization, both species apparently keep the morphological differentiation related to body size. However, variations on the patterns of pelage seem to be associated in part to a hybrid origin. The same way, analyses of geographic distributions, habitat association and trophic niche in the state suggest the existence of an ecological segregation between these two felids in this region. |
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