The Genetic Integrity of the Ex Situ Population of the European Wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) Is Seriously Threatened by Introgression from Domestic Cats (Felis silvestris catus)

摘要: Studies on the genetic diversity and relatedness of zoo populations are crucial for implementing successful breeding programmes. The European wildcat, Felis s. silvestris, is subject to intensive conservation measures, including captive reintroduction. We here present first systematic analysis population silvestris in comparison with a natural wild population. used microsatellites mtDNA sequencing assess diversity, structure integrity ex situ Our results show that wildcat highly structured it has higher than studied Some clusters matched lines certain zoos or groups often exchanged individuals. Two mitochondrial haplotype were detected populations, one which was closely related most common found domestic cats, suggesting past introgression wild. Although native haplotypes also population, majority (68%) individuals shared cat (Felis catus). Only six (7.7%) assigned as wildcats STRUCTURE (at K = 2), two had only purebred by NewHybrids. These suggest high been caused admixture cats. Therefore, cannot be recommended further