Journal Article
Genetic distinction of wildcat ( Felis silvestris ) populations in Europe, and hybridization with domestic cats in Hungary
M. Pierpaoli; Z. S. Birò; M. Herrmann; K. Hupe; M. Fernandes; B. Ragni; L. Szemethy; E. Randi
Molecular Ecology · Vol. 12, Issue 10 · pp. 2585-2598 · 2003
Abstract
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 F ST = 0.07; R ST = 0.06; P