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Evaluation of anatomical characters and the question of hybridization with domestic cats in the wildcat population of Thuringia, Germany

2009; Wiley; Volume: 47; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1439-0469.2009.00537.x

1439-0469

Matthias Krüger, Stefan Hertwig, Gottfried Jetschke, Martin Fischer,

Genetic diversity and population structure

Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary ResearchVolume 47, Issue 3 p. 268-282 Evaluation of anatomical characters and the question of hybridization with domestic cats in the wildcat population of Thuringia, Germany Matthias Krüger, Matthias Krüger Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorStefan T. Hertwig, Stefan T. Hertwig Natural History Museum, Bern, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorGottfried Jetschke, Gottfried Jetschke Institut für Ökologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorMartin S. Fischer, Martin S. Fischer Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, GermanySearch for more papers by this author Matthias Krüger, Matthias Krüger Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorStefan T. Hertwig, Stefan T. Hertwig Natural History Museum, Bern, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorGottfried Jetschke, Gottfried Jetschke Institut für Ökologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorMartin S. Fischer, Martin S. Fischer Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, GermanySearch for more papers by this author First published: 10 July 2009 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0469.2009.00537.xCitations: 29 Martin S. Fischer ([email protected])Authors’ email addresses: Matthias Krüger ([email protected]), Gottfried Jetschke ([email protected]), Stefan T. Hertwig ([email protected]) Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Abstract Germany’s large population of wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) can be clearly distinguished from domestic cats on the basis of morphological characters. However, an examination of 71 specimens from Thuringia also illustrates the risks involved in using only a few such characters. The most reliable tool for identification in the field are three pelage characters (distinctness of tail bands, stripes on the nape and stripes on the shoulder). Only two morphological characters (intestine length and cranial volume) are unambiguous and demonstrate no overlap in distribution between domestic cats and wildcats. A linear discriminant analysis with forward selection of variables showed that only five skull variables are necessary to distinguish all four groups (subspecies × sex). Additionally, the high degree of correlation between most of the 49 variables examined (as indicated by Pearson’s r correlation matrix) speaks against the utility of measuring such high numbers of characters in the future. Principal component analysis (PCA) enabled the subspecies to be separated clearly. The first PCA axis was highly correlated with variables characterizing overall body size, thus separating male and female into wildcats and domestic cats. 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Yamaguchi N, Kitchener AC, Driscoll CA, Ward JM, MacDonald DW (2004b) Craniological differentiation amongst wild-living cats in Britain and southern Africa: natural variation or the effects of hybridisation? Anim Conserv 7: 339– 351. Citing Literature Supporting Information Appendix S1. measurements. Appendix S2. Biometric data were worked on by wild - and domestic cat in the Phyletic museum Jena. Please note: Wiley-Blackwell are not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting materials supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing material) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. Filename Description JZS_537_sm_appendix1.pdf289 KB Supporting info item JZS_537_sm_appendix2.pdf30.4 KB Supporting info item Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. Volume47, Issue3August 2009Pages 268-282 ReferencesRelatedInformation