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Spatial colonization by feral domestic catsFelis catus of former wildcatFelis silvestris silvestris home ranges

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Abstract

Presently, wildcatFelis silvestris silvestris Schreber, 1777 populations are fragmented and rapidly declining in most of Europe. Although habitat destruction possibly constitutes the most serious threat to wildcat survival, hybridisation with feral domestic cats is also a critical problem. However, the mechanisms that allow domestic cats to colonise former wild cat home ranges are yet unclear. The present paper describes the decrease of typical phenotypic wildcats and the increase of phenotypic domestic cats in a remote wild area of Portugal (Serra da Malcata). A field survey using box-traps and radio-tracking between 1998 and 2001 revealed that wildcats were widespread in the study area and no domestic cats were present. A second survey using camera traps between 2005 and 2007 revealed only one wildcat whereas four typical domestic phenotype individuals were photographed. The present study clearly emphasizes the need for urgent measures aimed at preserving wildcat populations. These measures should include a national census of the species and an extensive monitoring of genetic integrity of wildcat populations, followed by the elaboration of a wildcat conservation action plan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto da Conservação da Natureza, Rua António Ribeiro Sanches s/n, 6090, Penamacor, Portugal

    Pedro Sarmento

  2. Terra e Tudo. Consultoria e Gestão de Recursos Naturais, Unipessoal Lda. Quinta da Rebolosa, EM 566, 6090-000, Aranhas, Portugal

    Joana Cruz

  3. CESAM & Departamento de Biologia da Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    Catarina Eira

  4. Departamento de Biologia da Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    Carlos Fonseca

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  1. Pedro Sarmento
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  2. Joana Cruz
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  3. Catarina Eira
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  4. Carlos Fonseca
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Correspondence to Pedro Sarmento.

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Associate editor was Krzysztof Schmidt.

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Sarmento, P., Cruz, J., Eira, C. et al. Spatial colonization by feral domestic catsFelis catus of former wildcatFelis silvestris silvestris home ranges. Acta Theriol 54, 31–38 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03193135

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03193135

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