IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Balharry, D.; Daniels, M.J. | |
| Wild living cats in Scotland | |
| 1998 Full Book | |
Inbreeding between "wildcats" and their domesticated form in Scotland has been possible since Roman times (c.2,000 years ago). However, the "type specimen" for the Scottish "wildcat" Felis silvestris grampia, (used as a benchmark with which to compare and identify putative contemporary "wildcats") was not collected until 1907. The "type specimen" approach in the case of the "wildcat" has been particularly restrictive in reflecting any natural variation within the population. To measure the variation found within contemporary wild living cat populations, samples were collected from over 330 wild living cats in Scotland. This project investigated, directly and by external contracts and collaboration, the following characteristics using both traditional and new methods of analyses: pelage, morphology, genetics, and physiology. Skeletal and intestine measurements on a sub-sample of 53 adult cats for which maximum data were available suggested a bimodal distribution. One of the two groups so identified exhibited a degree of geographical separation and a higher ration of "tabby" to other coat colours. This group (group 1) differed significantly in some characters from cats which exhibit characteristics normally associated with the domestic form and is therefore a contender for the label "wildcat". There was a significant relationship between environmental variables and the distribution of the newly defined group 1 cats. The most important primary variables were temperature and rainfall, with this group of cats more likely to be found in colder, drier areas. Neither the analysis of skulls or pelage characteristics produced a set of characters from which meaningful groups of cats could be determined. Pelage, and therefore visual assessment of what constitutes a "wildcat", is discounted as a suitable vehicle for distinguishing "wildcats". |
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