Biology Faculty Articles

A Suite of Genetic Markers Useful in Assessing Wildcat (Felis silvestris ssp.)— Domestic Cat (Felis silvestris catus) Admixture

ORCID

0000-0001-7353-8301

ResearcherID

N-1726-2015

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Heredity

ISSN

0022-1503

Publication Date

2011

Keywords

Captive breeding, Conservation genetics, Hybridization, Introgression, Reintroduction microsatellite

Abstract

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.

Volume

102

Issue

Suppl. 1

First Page

S87

Last Page

S90

Comments

©The American Genetic Association. 2011. All rights reserved.

This document is currently not available here.

Peer Reviewed

Find in your library

Share

COinS