IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Pierpaoli, M.; Bir•, Z.S.; Herrmann, M.; Hupe, K.; Fernandes, M.; Ragni, B.; Szemethy, L.; Randi, E. | |
| Genetic distinction of wildcat (_Felis silvestris_) populations in Europe, and hybridization with domestic cats in Hungary | |
| 2003 Molecular Ecology (12): 2585-2598 | |
The genetic integrity and evolutionary persistence of declining wildcat populations are threatened by crossbreeding with widespread free-living domestic cats. Here we use allelic variation at 12 microsatellite loci to describe genetic variation in 336 cats sampled from nine European countries. Cats were identified as European wildcats (_Felis silvestris silvestris_), Sardinian wildcats (_F. s. libyca_) and domestic cats (_F. s. catus_), according to phenotypic traits, geographical locations and independently of any genetic information. Genetic variability was significantly partitioned among taxonomic groups (_F_ST = 0.11; _R_ST = 0.41; _P _< 0.001) and sampling locations (_F_ST = 0.07; _R_ST = 0.06; _P _< 0.001), suggesting that wild and domestic cats are subdivided into distinct gene pools in Europe. Multivariate and Bayesian clustering of individual genotypes also showed evidence of distinct cat groups, congruent with current taxonomy, and suggesting geographical population structuring. Admixture analyses identified cryptic hybrids among wildcats in Portugal, Italy and Bulgaria, and evidenced instances of extensive hybridization between wild and domestic cats sampled in Hungary. Cats in Hungary include a composite assemblage of variable phenotypes and genotypes, which, as previously documented in Scotland, might originate from long lasting hybridisation and introgression. A number of historical, demographic and ecological conditions can lead to extensive crossbreeding between wild and domestic cats, thus threatening the genetic integrity of wildcat populations in Europe. |
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