Large-scale genetic census of an elusive carnivore, the European wildcat (Felis s. silvestris)

Katharina Steyer,Ulrike Schade,Philipp Schiefenhövel,Annika Tiesmeyer,Mascha Siemund,Manfred Trinzen,Bruno Streit,Berardino Cocchiararo,Sabrina Streif,Matthias Krüger,Franz Müller,Sandra Steeb,Olaf Simon,Robert H S Kraus,Burkhard Vogel,Thomas Mölich,Carsten Nowak,Alexander Geib,Ole Anders,Annette Kohnen,Christiane Frosch,Jacques B Pir,Jürgen Thein,Malte Götz,Mathias Herrmann,Susan Roch,Karsten Hupe,Tobias Erik Reiners

doi:10.1007/s10592-016-0853-2

Abstract

The European wildcat, Felis silvestris silvestris, serves as a prominent target species for the reconnection of central European forest habitats. Monitoring of this species, however, appears difficult due to its elusive behaviour and the ease of confusion with domestic cats. Recently, evidence for multiple wildcat occurrences outside its known distribution has accumulated in several areas across Central Europe, questioning the validity of available distribution data for this species. Our aim was to assess the fine-scale distribution and genetic status of the wildcat in its central European distribution range. We compiled and analysed genetic samples from roadkills and hundreds of recent hair-trapping surveys and applied phylogenetic and genetic clustering methods to discriminate wild and domestic cats and identify population subdivision. 2220 individuals were confirmed as either wildcat (n = 1792) or domestic cat (n = 342), and the remaining 86 (3.9 %) were identified as hybrids between the two. Remarkably, genetic distinction of domestic cats, wildcats and their hybrids was only possible when taking into account the presence of two highly distinct genetic lineages of wildcats, with a suture zone in central Germany. 44 % of the individual wildcats where sampled outside the previously published distribution. Our analyses confirm a relatively continuous spatial presence of wildcats across large parts of the study area in contrast to previous analyses indicating a highly fragmented distribution. Our results suggest that wildcat conservation and management should take advantage of the higher than previously assumed dispersal potential of wildcats, which may use wildlife corridors very efficiently.

Highlights

Precise knowledge of a species’ current distribution forms the basis for all management actions concerning its conservation
The mtDNA success rate increased from 67 % using a single hair from lure sticks to [85 % when applying a minimum of ten hairs, respectively
The main aim of this study was to provide an up-to-date assessment of wildcat distribution by means of a large scale genetic survey, providing a solid basis for the ongoing plans to reconnect forest patches in Germany

Summary

Introduction

Precise knowledge of a species’ current distribution forms the basis for all management actions concerning its conservation. Unlike in many other regions, ranges of many central European species, such as large terrestrial mammals seem to be rather well known, as there is considerable public interest in their distribution and they often serve as prominent flagship species for nature conservation (Chapron et al 2014). In Germany, the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris Schreber 1777) has become a primary target species for promoting large, connected and near-natural broad-leaf forests over the past years. It serves as umbrella and flagship species for endangered forest communities in largescale conservation projects with the aim to reconnect forest patches in a fragmented and heavily used central European landscape (Vogel and Molich 2009). In combination with the known distribution data (Birlenbach and Klar 2009) broad-leaf forest corridors were planned and will be implemented throughout Germany where known or potential wildcat habitats appear isolated by anthropogenic barriers or unsuitable habitat (Vogel et al 2009)

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