IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Driscoll, C.; Yamaguchi, N.; O'Brien, S.J.; MacDonald, D.W. | |
| A Suite of Genetic Markers Useful in Assessing Wildcat (_Felis silvestris_ ssp.)- Domestic Cat (_Felis silvestris catus_) Admixture | |
| 2011 Journal of Heredity (102): 87-90 | |
The wildcat (_Felis silvestris_ ssp.) is a conservation concern largely due to introgressive hybridization with its congener _F. s. catus_, the common domestic cat. Because of a recent divergence and entirely overlapping ranges, hybridization is common and pervasive between these taxa threatening the genetic integrity of remaining wildcat populations. Identifying pure wildcats for inclusion in conservation programs using current morphological discriminants is difficult because of gross similarity between them and the domestic, critically hampering conservation efforts. Here, we present a vetted panel of microsatellite loci and mitochondrial polymorphisms informative for each of the 5 naturally evolved wildcat subspecies and the derived domestic cat. We also present reference genotypes for each assignment class. Together, these marker sets and corresponding reference genotypes allow for the development of a genetic rational for defining ''units of conservation'' within a phylogenetically based taxonomy of the entire _F. silvestris_ species complex. We anticipate this marker panel will allow conservators to assess genetic integrity and quantify admixture in managed wildcat populations and to be a starting point for more in-depth analysis of hybridization. |
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