A non-invasive monitoring on European wildcat ( Felis silvestris silvestris Schreber, 1777) in Sicily using hair trapping and camera trapping: does it work?

摘要: An hair trapping protocol, with camera surveillance, was carried out on the south-western side of Etna, inhabited by an abundant population European wildcat. We aimed to collect for genetic analysis base a field study conducted in Switzerland, where valerian tincture had been used attract wildcats rub again wooden sticks and therefore leaving hairs. placed 18 stations, plus one trap per scented stick, 1 km away from each other 60 days (October 29 2010 December 28 2010). The rate “capture” success (1 capture / 24.5 trap-days) substantially same as those obtained during previous surveys performed area without use any attractants. No were photographed while rubbing against sticks, neither wildcat interested scent lure. discuss limitations trapping, providing possible explanations failure tincture, suggesting some advices future monitorings.