Informing conservation strategies with museum genomics: Long‐term effects of past anthropogenic persecution on the elusive European wildcat

Abstract

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Human impact on the recent population history of the elusive European wildcat inferred from whole genome data

“…In contrast, central wildcats showed considerable differentiation when only wildcats are analyzed (Fig. 1 b), which likely corresponds to geographic differentiation during the strong bottleneck period in the late 19 th and early twentieth century [ 20 ]. In addition, founder effects resulting from recent expansions and reintroductions, for example in the Rhön Mountains [ 19 ], might have contributed to the currently observed spatial genetic substructuring.…”

“…In addition, founder effects resulting from recent expansions and reintroductions, for example in the Rhön Mountains [ 19 ], might have contributed to the currently observed spatial genetic substructuring. Our study shows that wildcats in Germany do not show signs of substantial inbreeding or genetic depletion, which is likely due to the ongoing recovery after cessation of the massive persecution since the second half of the twentieth century [ 20 ]. In contrast, relatively long ROHs values were found for single individuals (Figure S 5 b), which suggest that inbreeding may occur occasionally in all populations.…”

“…The European wildcats ( Felis silvestris, hereafter FS ), for instance, suffered considerable range declines and population reductions in Central Europe, due to anthropogenic persecution as well as habitat loss and fragmentation during the 19 th and early twentieth century [ 16 , 17 ]. Recent studies show that despite the fragmented and mosaic-like German landscape, the species has recently reemerged in various regions [ 18 , 19 ], and range expansion is still ongoing and even comprises areas with no historic presence data of F. silvestris [ 20 ].…”

“…This study concluded that the two populations observed in Germany are most probably due to recolonization events from different refugia. evidence, however, suggests a recent origin of population divergence, perhaps as a consequence of massive persecution and re-expansion from different historic refugia [ 20 ].…”

First mitogenome phylogeny of the sun bear Helarctos malayanus reveals a deep split between Indochinese and Sundaic lineages

“…Archival and non-invasively collected sample material is increasingly utilized in molecular studies of wildlife species, particularly if these are rare, elusive, protected, or inhabit areas that are difficult to access (e.g. Paijmans et al, 2020; Mengüllüoglu et al 2021; Hessels et al 2021; Sacks et al 2021; von Thaden et al 2021; Cho et al 2022). DNA extracted from such material is usually highly degraded, rendering downstream analyses difficult (e.g.…”