High variation in multiple paternity of domestic cats (Felis catus L.) in relation to environmental conditions

Say, Ludovic; Pontier, Dominique; Natoli, Eugenia

doi:10.1098/rspb.1999.0889

Cited by 92 publications

(106 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(18 reference statements)

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“…Female cats reach sexual maturity between 6 and 8 months and males between 8 and 10 months and can breed 2-3 times a year. However, reproduction can be delayed (Jones and Coman 1982;Say et al 1999) as shown by Bester et al (2002), who reported that a drastic decrease of feral cats following eradication efforts on subantarctic Marion Island caused a decline in pregnancy rates and fecundity, possibly owing to a lower encounter rate between the sexes. Control efforts need to minimise gene flow to no more than one migrant per generation in order to decrease genetic diversity (Wright 1969) and thus create small or fragmented populations in which inbreeding is more likely to occur.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using population genetic tools to develop a control strategy for feral cats (Felis catus) in Hawai'i

et al. 2007

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Abstract. Population genetics can provide information about the demographics and dynamics of invasive species that is beneficial for developing effective control strategies. We studied the population genetics of feral cats on Hawai'i Island by microsatellite analysis to evaluate genetic diversity and population structure, assess gene flow and connectivity among three populations, identify potential source populations, characterise population dynamics, and evaluate sex-biased dispersal. High genetic diversity, low structure, and high number of migrants per generation supported high gene flow that was not limited spatially. Migration rates revealed that most migration occurred out of West Mauna Kea. Effective population size estimates indicated increasing cat populations despite control efforts. Despite high gene flow, relatedness estimates declined significantly with increased geographic distance and Bayesian assignment tests revealed the presence of three population clusters. Genetic structure and relatedness estimates indicated male-biased dispersal, primarily from Mauna Kea, suggesting that this population should be targeted for control. However, recolonisation seems likely, given the great dispersal ability that may not be inhibited by barriers such as lava flows. Genetic monitoring will be necessary to assess the effectiveness of future control efforts. Management of other invasive species may benefit by employing these population genetic tools.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using population genetic tools to develop a control strategy for feral cats (Felis catus) in Hawai'i

et al. 2007

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“…This conclusion cannot be explained by lack of informative loci since the used seven microsatellites markers have a high combined level of detecting multiple paternity. Noteworthy, that the same number or fewer polymorphic markers were enough to detect multiple paternity in several other species (Say et al 1999;Burton 2002;Kraaijeveld-Smit et al 2002;Dean et al 2006). Further, the size of all studied litters was larger than the suggested minimum of tree littermates necessary to detect multiple paternity (Burton 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paternity assessment in free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) – Are littermates full-sibs?

Delgado

Fernández-Llario²,

Azevedo³

et al. 2008

Mammalian Biology

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Multiple paternity within litters occurs in various groups of mammals exhibiting different mating systems. Using seven genetic markers (i.e., microsatellites), we investigated the paternity of littermates in free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) in a Mediterranean habitat. Using the software CERVUS 2.0 we estimated the probability of detecting multiple paternity across all loci (D), the probability of paternity (W) and a statistic D that allows the assignment of paternity to the most likely male with strict and relaxed levels of confidence. Multiple paternity was inferred for one of the nine analysed litters at the 80% confidence level. This suggests that a single male may control the access to receptive adult females and it shows that multiple paternity is not very common in the studied free-ranging wild boar population. Despite the possible occurrence of sperm competition and/or female cryptic choice, mate guarding seems to play a significant role in sexual selection. To better understand the wild boar's mating strategies further studies analysing the reproductive success of both sexes and under different environmental conditions should be conducted.

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“…The rate of heteropaternity litters in this study was 67%. Cheetah and domestic cat have also shown high frequencies of heteropaternity litters, 43% and 80% respectively [6,34]. The rate of heteropaternity and number of sires per litter are influenced by many factors, such as capability of males at mate-guarding [37], population structure [6], mate choice [38], and male-female relatedness [5].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This mating system reduces the cost of competition and spreads reproductive chances to all individuals. It also results in heteropaternity in litters [6].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Simultaneous polyandry and heteropaternity in tiger (Panthera tigris altaica): Implications for conservation of genetic diversity in captive populations of felids

Liú¹,

et al. 2013

Chin. Sci. Bull.

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Male tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in captivity copulate alternatively with an estrous female, suggesting a potential for heteropaternity as an effective reproductive strategy to maximize genetic diversity of offspring. We analyzed microsatellites to test and compare the genetic output of multiple male mating (simultaneous polyandry) and single male mating (monogamy) with a female in a captive population. Simultaneous polyandry resulted in heteropaternity in 66.7% observed litters. No significant differences between parental populations and between offspring populations were detected in the number of alleles (A), expected heterozygosity (H e ), number of effective alleles (N e ) per locus and standard individual heterozygosity (SH) (P>0.05 for all 4 indexes). Comparisons showed no significant reduction of A, H o , H e and SH from parental population to offspring population for the two mating modes (P>0.05) except for SH in polyandrous families (P=0.029). However, such reduction was equivalent to single mating families when the influence of relatedness was eliminated using effective SH (E SH ) (P>0.05). These results highlight an alternative strategy for managing captive populations of tiger and other wild felids in which animals are combined at one location allowing for copulation by multiple males to encourage heteropaternity in favor of maintained genetic diversity among offspring.

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High variation in multiple paternity of domestic cats (Felis catus L.) in relation to environmental conditions

Cited by 92 publications

References 14 publications

Using population genetic tools to develop a control strategy for feral cats (Felis catus) in Hawai'i

Using population genetic tools to develop a control strategy for feral cats (Felis catus) in Hawai'i

Paternity assessment in free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) – Are littermates full-sibs?

Simultaneous polyandry and heteropaternity in tiger (Panthera tigris altaica): Implications for conservation of genetic diversity in captive populations of felids

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