IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| MacDonald, D.W.; Yamaguchi, N.; Driscoll, C.; Daniels, M.; Kitchener, A. | |
| On the Way to Cryptic Extinction through Hybridisation: Past History, Present Problem, and Future Conservation of the Scottish Wildcat | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
The Scottish wildcat is the only remaining indigenous felid in Britain. Sadly, the Scottish wildcat has been, and still is, in danger of cryptic extinction through introgression with domestic cats. Conservation scientists striving to protect wildcats have been facing two crucial questions. One is whether "wildcats" still exist, and the other is, if so, whether it is possible to distinguish wildcats from hybrids within an introgressed population of "wild-living" cats. For the past 15 years, we have studied ecology, morphology and genetics of the Scottish wildcat, as well as wildcats all over the world, to answer those simple (and yet scientifically unanswered) questions. The results have suggested (1) there are still "wildcats" in Scotland that are worth conserving by all means, and (2) those "wildcats" can be distinguished on the bases of both morphological characteristics and genetic markers. At the same time, we also (and sadly) have found (1) there are not many "wildcats" left - as few as only c. 10% of the "wild-living" cats, and (2) introgression may have progressed further than conservationists had appreciates. The picture does not look optimistic for the future of the Scottish wildcat, but at least we know the direction in which to proceed. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |