First Description of Sarcoptic Mange in a Free-Ranging European Wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) from Spain

Sarcoptic mange caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei is a worldwide-distributed skin infestation with a wide range of hosts, among them several species within the Felidae family. Sarcoptes scabiei was diagnosed in a dead adult female European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) from Spain, based on histological evaluation of skin biopsies and identification of the arthropod from skin scrapings and molecular methods. This is the first description of Sarcoptes scabiei in a European wildcat. Due to its critical demography in the southernmost population of the Iberian Peninsula, the impacts of infectious diseases, including sarcoptic mange, as a new potential threat should be considered during disease surveillance programs of the species’ populations.

Study of non-metric characters of the skull to determine the epigenetic variability in populations of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) and domestic cats (Felis catus)

We studied the variability of non-metric cranial traits, mainly foramina, of European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) and domestic cats (Felis catus) from Germany based on 28 non-metric traits in 211 skulls. The domestic cats were grouped together as a statistical population. The wildcats were divided into two populations: Harz and Hesse, which were further subdivided, based on traffic infrastructure, natural landscape, and in the Harz, on time period. Epigenetic variability, epigenetic distance and the fluctuating asymmetry were calculated to assess genetic variability, possible depressions and population stability. The epigenetic variability Iev of the wildcat groups ranged from 0.27 (Hesse II) to 0.40 (Harz I). The difference in Iev between all specimens from Harz and Hesse respectively was less (Iev = 0.37 Harz and 0.31 Hesse). Compared to other studies these values are not assumed to indicate genetic depression. The epigenetic distance between the wildcat samples is 0.0774 overall, and in each case higher between sub-groups of the Harz and Hesse than between groups within these regions, respectively. The significant epigenetic distance between Harz and Hesse might indicate—at least past formerly—restricted connectivity between these regions. The fluctuating asymmetry for wildcats in total is 11.74% and in the sub-groups it ranges from 8.47 to 16.14%. These values are below 20% are at the lower range known from populations of other mammal species. The use of fluctuating asymmetry had also been discussed critically in its usefulness to assess viability of populations.

Analysing variations in pelage patterning among European Felis silvestris silvestris populations

The pelage pattern of wildcats from six regions within the distribution range of the species is analysed to test the hypothesis that clear differences between different regions exist. In total, 98 furs were used, but with different distribution from the Eifel (Germany), Harz Mountains (Germany), Caucasus, Western Spain, Switzerland/France and Greece. Specimens were at least seven months old, sex was not considered. The characteristics used were adapted from the literature and included typical wildcat features like the tail and stripes on the neck. Polychoric correlations, as a binary version of Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, were used as a measure of correlation between pelage characteristics. Pairwise tetrachoric correlations were computed with R 3.1.2., cluster analyses were conducted with SPSS 14.No clear relationship between the pelage characteristics and the geographic distribution of the six studied wildcat populations were found, the hypothesis needs to be rejected. It is however suggested, that coat patterning of Caucasian wildcats to some degree differ from other European wildcat. The results, however, do not clearly corroborate this hypothesis as Caucasian wildcats were not grouped into closed clusters in all the cluster analyses. To a lesser extent, pelage characteristic differences may also exist between wildcats from Western Spain as well as South-Western Greece and other European regions, but the samples are too small to draw conclusions. To test these refined hypotheses, more specimens from the Caucasus, Western Spain and South-Western Greece (but also Switzerland/North-Eastern France) need to be collected and compared according to our protocol.

Hairs of wild Felis silvestris silvestris and domestic Felis catus – are they distinctive after all? (Carnivora: Felidae)

This study addressed the question whether it is possible to clearly differentiate between wild and tabby domestic cats on the basis of hairs (guard hairs in particular). The colour banding pattern of individual hairs is studied in this context for the first time. Also, hair length and width, as well as parameters of the hair cuticle were checked for differences, as it is well known that wild cats have long hairs and a fine, silky fur. Several banding patterns were observed, some shared between both cat forms, but with different frequencies. But this is not enough for species differentiation and more specimens need to be studied to get a better idea of the variation in this trait. The cuticle pattern even in the same region of the hairs (medium and shield-free part of the hair shaft) varies considerably and statistically significant differences were found only for few measured parameters: hair length, hair width and scale perimeter. Nevertheless, even most of them are not sufficient to determine wild or domestic cats. However, as expected, the hairs of wild cats are statistically significantly longer than those of tabby domestic cats, and hairs longer than 50 mm can be clearly attributed to wild cats.

Record of a 10-year old European Wildcat Felis silvestris silvestris Schreber, 1777 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) from Mt. Etna, Sicily, Italy

Longevity data for wild felids are lacking in the literature. Here we report a camera trap recapture of a European Wildcat Felis silvestris at Mt. Etna in Sicily, Italy after nine years. This individual was clearly identifiable as its tail ended with a white ring rather than the typical black ring and had a unique shape of the dorsal stripe. At first capture on 26 May 2009, this cat was assessed as an adult, so that the likely minimum age of this individual at the time of recapture on 10 June 2018 must have been be at least 10 years. This finding represents the oldest known European Wildcat in the wild and provides insight into age structure in wildcat populations.