Surprising low abundance of European wildcats in a Mediterranean protected area of southwestern Spain

Soto, Carolina A.; Palomares, Francisço

doi:10.1515/mammalia-2013-0054

Cited by 19 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 36 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The cameras were infrared-triggered (DLC Covert™, Leaf River™ model IR-5 and Scout Guard™ model SG565F-BM), with a sampling period for each camera ranging from two to three months. To increase the field data set, we used the results of seven camera-trapping surveys carried out by other teams and data from two published surveys ( [43,57]; see Fig 1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0227708.g001 Table 1.…”

Section: Field Surveysmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They were detected in 14.8% of the sampling blocks. Only four putative hybrids were detected in four blocks, three of them in Doñana (see pictures in [43]) and another in a non-systematic block in Sierra Morena. The capture rates (individuals/100 camera days) were 1.39 for wildcats, 0.098 for domestic cats and 0.029 for putative hybrids (2.04% of apparent hybridization rate).…”

Section: Density Estimations Of Wild-living Catsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For abundance estimations, non-intrusive capture-recapture approaches based on cameratrapping or molecular identification of scats and hairs [39] have proven highly efficient for felines (e.g. [39,40,41]), including in the case of the rare European wildcat [12,42,43,44,45,46,47]. On the other hand, during the last decades, species distribution models (hereafter SDMs) have been developed to provide solutions to a wide range of ecological, biogeographical and conservation problems (reviewed in [48]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…SDMs are especially robust when a good dataset of environmental predictors is available, as has been established for our target species in Germany [51] or Portugal [11] and for other felines elsewhere [52,53,54,55]. Finally, non-intrusive surveys of wildcats have proven to be optimal approaches to estimate the degree of genetic introgression of the domestic cat [43,46,47].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Fragmentation and low density as major conservation challenges for the southernmost populations of the European wildcat

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Knowledge of population dynamics of threatened species in the wild is key to effective conservation actions. However, at present, there are many examples of endangered animals for which their current situation is unknown, and not just in remote areas and less developed countries. We have explored this topic by studying the paradigmatic case of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris), an endangered small carnivore whose status has been subjectively established on the basis of non-systematic approaches and opportunistic records. Little is known about its demographic situation, prompting the need for information to improve conservation measures. However, the secretive behaviour of felines along with its low density in natural conditions have prevented the gathering of sufficient data. We developed a field sampling strategy for one of the largest populations (Andalusia, South Spain, 87,268 km 2), based on a logistically viable systematic non-intrusive survey by camera-trapping. This study offers the first large-scale estimation for any European wildcat population, based on analytical approaches applied on Species Distribution Models. A hierarchical approach based on a Maxent model for distribution estimation was used, along with Generalised Linear Models for density estimation from explicit spatial capture-recapture data. Our results show that the distribution range is smaller and more highly fragmented than previously assumed. The overall estimated density was very low (0.069 ±0.0019 wildcats/km 2) and the protected areas network seems to be insufficient to cover a significant part of the population or a viable nucleus in demographic terms. Indeed, the most important areas remain unprotected. Our main recommendations are to improve the protected area network and/or vigilance programs in hunting estates, in addition to studying and improving connectivity between the main population patches.

show abstract

Section: Field Surveysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Density Estimations Of Wild-living Catsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Fragmentation and low density as major conservation challenges for the southernmost populations of the European wildcat

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, due to landscape fragmentation and habitat loss, the size of protected areas is likely to become important in maintaining the ability of protected areas to continue this function (Nowell and Jackson 1996). The European wildcat is considered to be nearthreatened in 25 member states of the European Union (Temple and Terry 2007) due to human persecution and habitat loss, including in protected areas (e.g., Doñana National Park, south-western Spain, Soto and Palomares 2013). Additionally, while some European wildcat and domestic cat populations still appear genetically distinct, contrasting patterns of genetic admixture have been identified, from recent and frequently hybridizing populations in Scotland and Hungary Daniels et al 2001;Pierpaoli et al 2003;Lecis et al 2006), to relatively low genetic introgression in populations in Italy, Germany, and Portugal (Randi et al 2001;Pierpaoli et al 2003;Lecis et al 2006;Oliveira et al 2008b;Randi 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic analysis shows low levels of hybridization between African wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica) and domestic cats (F. s. catus) in South Africa

Roux

Foxcroft

Herbst

et al. 2014

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Hybridization between domestic and wild animals is a major concern for biodiversity conservation, and as habitats become increasingly fragmented, conserving biodiversity at all levels, including genetic, becomes increasingly important. Except for tropical forests and true deserts, African wildcats occur across the African continent; however, almost no work has been carried out to assess its genetic status and extent of hybridization with domestic cats. For example, in South Africa it has been argued that the long-term viability of maintaining pure wildcat populations lies in large protected areas only, isolated from human populations. Two of the largest protected areas in Africa, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier and Kruger National Parks, as well as the size of South Africa and range of landscape uses, provide a model situation to assess how habitat fragmentation and heterogeneity influences the genetic purity of African wildcats. Using population genetic and home range data, we examined the genetic purity of African wildcats and their suspected hybrids across South Africa, including areas within and outside of protected areas. Overall, we found African wildcat populations to be genetically relatively pure, but instances of hybridization and a significant relationship between the genetic distinctiveness (purity) of wildcats and human population pressure were evident. The genetically purest African wildcats were found in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, while samples from around Kruger National Park showed cause for concern, especially combined with the substantial human population density along the park's boundary. While African wildcat populations in South Africa generally appear to be genetically pure, with low levels of hybridization, our genetic data do suggest that protected areas may play an important role in maintaining genetic purity by reducing the likelihood of contact with domestic cats. We suggest that approaches such as corridors between protected areas are unlikely to remain effective for wildcat conservation, as the proximity to human settlements around these areas is projected to increase the wild/domestic animal interface. Thus, large, isolated protected areas will become increasingly important for wildcat conservation and efforts need to be made to prevent introduction of domestic cats into these areas.

show abstract

Evaluation of CNNs for Wildcats Classification in Real World Scenario

Fargetta,

Ortis,

Anile

et al. 2024

Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Surprising low abundance of European wildcats in a Mediterranean protected area of southwestern Spain

Cited by 19 publications

References 36 publications

Fragmentation and low density as major conservation challenges for the southernmost populations of the European wildcat

Fragmentation and low density as major conservation challenges for the southernmost populations of the European wildcat

Genetic analysis shows low levels of hybridization between African wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica) and domestic cats (F. s. catus) in South Africa

Evaluation of CNNs for Wildcats Classification in Real World Scenario

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About