Spatial patterns of co‐occurrence of the European wildcat <i>Felis silvestris silvestris</i> and domestic cats <i>Felis silvestris catus</i> in the Bavarian Forest National Park

Beutel, Tanja; Reineking, Björn; Tiesmeyer, Annika; Nowak, Carsten; Heurich, Marco

doi:10.2981/wlb.00284

Cited by 16 publications

(18 citation statements)

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“…Domestic cats, for instance, have been detected within protected areas at a considerable distance from human settlements (e.g., Sarmento et al 2009;Zwijacz-Kozica et al 2017). Wildcats and domestic cats have also been shown to occur at the same locations, at least occasionally (Nussberger et al 2014b;Kilshaw et al 2016;Steyer et al 2016;Beutel et al 2017). We assume that habitat fragmentation may enhance the chance of encounters between wildcats and domestic cats because of the higher proportion of land being subject to an edge effect.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Range-wide patterns of human-mediated hybridisation in European wildcats

et al. 2020

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Hybridisation between wild taxa and their domestic congeners is a significant conservation issue. Domestic species frequently outnumber their wild relatives in population size and distribution and may therefore genetically swamp the native species. The European wildcat (Felis silvestris) has been shown to hybridise with domestic cats (Felis catus). Previously suggested spatially divergent introgression levels have not been confirmed on a European scale due to significant differences in the applied methods to assess hybridisation of the European wildcat. We analysed 926 Felis spp. samples from 13 European countries, using a set of 86 selected ancestry-informative SNPs, 14 microsatellites, and ten mitochondrial and Y-chromosome markers to study regional hybridisation and introgression patterns and population differentiation. We detected 51 hybrids (four F1 and 47 F2 or backcrosses) and 521 pure wildcats throughout Europe. The abundance of hybrids varied considerably among studied populations. All samples from Scotland were identified as F2 hybrids or backcrosses, supporting previous findings that the genetic integrity of that wildcat population has been seriously compromised. In other European populations, low to moderate levels of hybridisation were found, with the lowest levels being in Central and Southeast Europe. The occurrence of distinct maternal and paternal markers between wildcat and domestic cat suggests that there were no severe hybridisation episodes in the past. The overall low (< 1%) prevalence of F1 hybrids suggests a low risk of hybridisation for the long-term genetic integrity of the wildcat in most of Europe. However, regionally elevated introgression rates confirm that hybridisation poses a potential threat. We propose regional in-depth monitoring of hybridisation rates to identify factors driving hybridisation so as to develop effective strategies for conservation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Range-wide patterns of human-mediated hybridisation in European wildcats

et al. 2020

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“…These impacts are most severe on islands without native predators (Medina et al 2011). However, even in continental areas with comparable native predators such as the wildcat in Eurasia and Africa, domestic cat densities often far exceed those of native cats (Beutel et al 2017). Human provisioning of food, vaccinations, and shelter frees cat populations from constraints of prey availability and disease, and cats carry multiple diseases that affect both wildlife and humans (Gerhold and Jessup 2013).…”

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confidence: 99%

Population impacts of free‐ranging domestic cats on mainland vertebrates

Loss

Marra

2017

Frontiers in Ecol & Environ

134

103

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Domestic cats (Felis catus) have contributed to at least 63 vertebrate extinctions, pose a major hazard to threatened vertebrates worldwide, and transmit multiple zoonotic diseases. On continents and large islands (collectively termed “mainlands”), cats are responsible for very high mortality of vertebrates. Nevertheless, cat population management is traditionally contentious and usually involves proving that cats reduce prey population sizes. We synthesize the available evidence of the negative effects of cats on mainland vertebrates. More than a dozen observational studies, as well as experimental research, provide unequivocal evidence that cats are capable of affecting multiple population‐level processes among mainland vertebrates. In addition to predation, cats affect vertebrate populations through disease and fear‐related effects, and they reduce population sizes, suppress vertebrate population sizes below their respective carrying capacities, and alter demographic processes such as source–sink dynamics. Policy discussions should shift from requiring “proof of impact” to a precautionary approach that emphasizes evidence‐driven management to reduce further impacts from outdoor cats.

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“…vaccinations) from humans. These ‘subsidies’ ease or remove the constraints of limited food availability, intraspecific competition and disease, and enable domestic cats in many areas to reach high densities, far higher than those of similar‐sized wild predators such as wildcats (Beutel, Reineking, Tiesmeyer, Nowak, & Heurich, ; Coleman & Temple, ; Crooks & Soulé, ; Legge et al, ; Sims, Evans, Newson, Tratalos, & Gaston, ). Worldwide, at present domestic cats are likely to be orders of magnitude more numerous than all individuals of all wild cat species added together (Hunter, ).…”

Section: Domestic Cats and Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

Domestic cats and their impacts on biodiversity: A blind spot in the application of nature conservation law

Trouwborst

McCormack

Camacho³

2020

People and Nature

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Free‐ranging domestic cats Felis catus, from owned pets to feral cats, impact biodiversity through predation, fear effects, competition, disease and hybridization. Scientific knowledge regarding these impacts has recently increased, making it timely to assess the role of nature conservation legislation in this connection. We do so with particular regard to the obligations of governments around the world under international wildlife law. First, we provide an overview of current knowledge, based on a literature review, concerning the ways in which domestic cats impact wildlife; the resulting effects on native species’ populations and ecosystems; and available strategies for addressing these issues. In light of this knowledge, using standard legal research methodology, we then identify and interpret relevant legal instruments, with a particular focus on international wildlife treaties. Lastly, we identify and assess factors that may influence the implementation of relevant obligations. The outcomes of this analysis indicate that numerous legal obligations of relevance to free‐ranging domestic cats already apply under global treaties such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on Migratory Species and World Heritage Convention, and a range of regional legal instruments for biodiversity conservation. Of particular significance are obligations concerning (a) invasive alien species; (b) protected areas and (c) protected species. Many national authorities around the world are currently required, under international law, to adopt and implement policies aimed at preventing, reducing or eliminating the biodiversity impacts of free‐ranging domestic cats, in particular by (a) removing feral and other unowned cats from the landscape to the greatest extent possible and (b) restricting the outdoor access of owned cats. Factors that can influence or impair the application of these obligations include considerations of feasibility, scientific uncertainty, the interests of cat owners and the (perceived) interests of domestic cats themselves. Even if such factors may to some extent explain why many authorities have hitherto failed to take effective action to address the threats posed by free‐ranging domestic cats, from a legal perspective these factors provide little ground for justifying non‐compliance with international wildlife law. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

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Spatial patterns of co‐occurrence of the European wildcat Felis silvestris silvestris and domestic cats Felis silvestris catus in the Bavarian Forest National Park

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 16 publications

References 37 publications

Range-wide patterns of human-mediated hybridisation in European wildcats

Range-wide patterns of human-mediated hybridisation in European wildcats

Population impacts of free‐ranging domestic cats on mainland vertebrates

Domestic cats and their impacts on biodiversity: A blind spot in the application of nature conservation law

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