Monitoring European wildcat Felis silvestris populations using scat surveys in central Spain: are population trends related to wild rabbit dynamics or to landscape features?

Abstract

Background: Accurate data on the European wildcat Felis silvestris population trends are scarce for most of its range, despite this information being essential in assessing the threat status of the species. Moreover, ecological correlates of these population trends have never been evaluated. The aim of this study was to describe population trends of the European wildcat in a central region of Spain during the period 1997 to 2005 on both regional and local scales. Putative associations with several landscape features and wild rabbit population trajectories were also examined. Analyses were based on temporal variations of abundance indexes calculated for both species, which were derived from the respective frequencies of occurrence of scats along linear transects. Moreover, we propose monitoring wildcat populations across their range using scat surveys. Results: Results showed that wildcat populations remained stable between the two survey periods considered, and variations in wildcat abundances were not associated with either habitat features or changes in rabbit abundances. Moreover, results suggested that wildcat predation does not limit the growth capacity of rabbit populations. Conclusions:We propose standardized scat surveys as the most efficient methodology for monitoring wildcat populations across European regions. Problems with genetic analyses for correctly identifying carnivore scats are noted, which indicate that the best complementary method for monitoring wildcats is probably camera trapping (especially where hybridization is suspected). Furthermore, results showed that controlling wildcats to protect the rabbit populations is not justified.

Non-invasive monitoring of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris Schreber, 1777): comparative analysis of three different monitoring techniques and evaluation of their integration

“…), as well as valuable information about behaviour, circadian rhythms and species interactions (O'Connell et al 2011). It has been proved that the probability of finding faecal depositions is lower for the domestic cat than for the wildcat (Corbett 1979;Lozano and Urra 2007;Lozano et al 2013). This should be taken into account, considering the higher number of wildcats we detected using camera traps compared with the genetic survey.…”

“…The main threats to the European wildcat are the loss of suitable habitats (Klar et al 2009(Klar et al , 2012, human-caused mortality-in particular, road kills (Nowell and Jackson 1996;Lüps et al 2002;Schulenberg 2005;Krone et al 2008), overgrazing by large game species ) and hybridization with the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) (Randi 2008;Oliveira et al 2008a, b). However, despite poorly known distribution ranges, some local populations appear stable (Lozano et al 2013). However, despite poorly known distribution ranges, some local populations appear stable (Lozano et al 2013).…”

“…Wildcats have been monitored by direct sightings (Hartmann et al 2013), live trapping (Bizzarri et al 2010a), radio tracking (Monterroso et al 2009;Bizzarri et al 2010b) and non-invasive techniques such as Fig. The legend shows the typologies of sampling sites (hair traps, camera stations and wildcat faecal depositions) camera trapping (Can et al 2011;Kilshaw and Macdonald 2011;Anile et al 2012a), scat surveys (Lozano et al 2003;Lozano et al 2013;Anile et al 2014), hair trapping (Hupe and Simon 2007;Kéry et al 2011;Steyer et al 2013) and, opportunistically, through the collection of road kills (O'Brien et al 2009;Hartmann et al 2013). b The sampling area in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park with the buffer area (grey), the minimum convex polygon and the additional buffer strip (dotted line) on which estimation of capture density was based.…”

Hybridization between Felis silvestris silvestris and Felis silvestris catus in two contrasted environments in France

“…In the eastern part of the French Pyrenees, fresh feces of wildcats were collected opportunistically from 2010 to 2016 in the nature reserves of Jujols and Nohèdes (see Figure ). Experienced field agents from the nature reserves have collected evidence for additional occurrences of European wildcats since 1993 based on camera‐trapping surveys, direct observations or feces, which has allowed us to associate the sampling of fresh feces to the overall presence of the European wildcat in the study area (e.g., Lozano, Virgós, & Cabezas‐Díaz, ). For domestic cats, hairs were sampled in 2010 and 2017 in the villages of Nohèdes ( N = 20), Conat ( N = 4), and Serdinya ( N = 3), located on the edge of the reserves (see Figure ).…”

Evaluating the function of wildcat faecal marks in relation to the defence of favourable hunting areas

“…Wildcats are reported to show this behaviour (CORBETT 1979;BARJA & BÁRCENA 2005), while domestic cats tend to bury their faeces in areas where both domestic and wildcats occur (CORBETT 1979;SCHAUENBERG 1981). For more details about wildcat scat-based studies see a wide discussion in LOZANO et al (2013).…”