Genetic diversity and integrity of German wildcat (Felis silvestris) populations as revealed by microsatellites, allozymes, and mitochondrial DNA sequences

摘要: As a consequence of persecution and habitat fragmentation, wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) in Western Europe have experienced severe reduction population numbers sizes. The remaining wildcat populations are considered to be endangered by losses genetic variability hybridisation with free-ranging domestic cats. To investigate diversity within among wild cat Germany estimate the extent gene flow between both forms, we analysed total 266 individuals. PCR-amplification sequencing 322 base pairs highly variable part mitochondrial control region (HV1) 244 specimens resulted 41 haplotypes 31 polymorphic sites. Additionally, eight microsatellite loci were examined for those Moreover, 46 22 cats could genotyped 13 out enzyme loci. Genetic groups was generally high. Variability higher than populations. Almost no differentiation found (FST microsatellites=3%). In contrast, differed significantly from one another microsatellites=9.55%) Within smaller populations, detectable regard nuclear DNA. Wildcat separated, suggesting very low level maternal forms. microsatellites somewhat lesser allozymes, showed distinct differentiation, an only past certain data set indicated reduced effective size (bottleneck) recent German population.