Seasonality and reproduction in wild-living cats in Scotland

摘要: The definition of the wildcatFelis silvestris Schreber, 1775 in Scotland is contentious, light long-term interbreeding with domestic catsF. catus Linnaeus, 1758. Two morphological groupings (Group 1 and Group 2) have previously been proposed to explain variation found wild-living cats Scotland, closest wildcats 2 cats. Data from reproductive tracts 185 cat carcasses evidence activity 31 live were analysed order compare between groups, relation seasonality existing data on For males, had a greater mean relative testes size than Estimated corpora lutea, there was suggestion that females showed more oestrous In all cats, litter 4.3 estimated birth dates throughout year, but least winter. A high number pseudopregnancies recorded. results consistent hypothesis are closer However, observed sample reported here, suggested reproduction neither strictly seasonal nor outside range some feral populations.