Wildcat Genetics What Is a Wildcat in Scotland?
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Wildcat Genetics What is a wildcat in Scotland? • The Scottish wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) is Britain’s last native cat species. • They are very well adapted to life in the mountains. • The wildcat plays an important role in a healthy ecosystem. • They look similar to a large pet cat. However, there are key differences. • Sadly, they are now one of our most endangered mammals and are on the edge of extinction. A wildcat call A wildcat growl Wildcat history Europe topography map by Ulamm / CC BY-SA 3.0 • Isolated for over 9,000 years • Recognised as a species in 1907 • Reconsidered as a sub-species of European cat (Felis silvestris) in 1912 Felis silvestris Sub-species Scottish Wildcat Species - 1907 • silvestris (West Europe) Felis grampia • caucasica (East Europe) • grampia (Scotland) Felid Classification Revision • IUCN Cat Specialist Group 2017 revision = not a sub-species Classification Criteria • Morphology (form) • Geographical (location) • Genetic Sub-species Revised 2017 silvestris caucasica West Europe & Scotland East Europe Threats and Concerns • Loss of habitat – forest fragmentation • Increased human disturbance Threats and Concerns • Historical Persecution • Land management Threats and Concerns Wildcat Domestic Hybrid • Hybridisation • Genetic Purity of the Species Identification Guide Four wavy neck stripes Two shoulder stripes Unbroken stripes on the side No spots on bottom Back stripe stops at tail Dark tail stripes Tip is rounded and black Wildcat Domestic cat Pelage (coat) scoring • During sedation for blood sampling, wild-caught cats will be scored out of 21 for pelage characteristics. • No cat so far has had full marks (21/21). • Scoring is undertaken by a panel. • Combined with the genetic tests and pelage score, cats will either be kept for breeding or not. What is hybridisation? Wildcat Hybrid Domestic Genetics in conservation How is RZSS using genetics? WildGenes Laboratory Established 2010 DNA analysis for zoos worldwide Supporting in-situ and ex-situ conservation Provide evidence against wildlife crime https://youtu.be/Gazr-ijt3As WildGenes Laboratory Projects centre on: • in-situ monitoring • ex-situ management • reintroduction management • control of the illegal wildlife trade We work alongside • government agencies • conservation charities • zoos across the world http://www.rzss.org.uk/conservation/our-projects/project-search/ Wildcat, genetics and conservation • Conservation breeding programme Wildcat, genetics and conservation • Management of wildcat studbook Wildcat, genetics and conservation • Working closely with land managers to acquire wildcats from high risk areas Wildcat, genetics and conservation • Habitat / prey species surveys for possible release sites Wildcat, genetics and conservation • Learn from previous small carnivore / felid reintroductions Wildcat, genetics and conservation • Genetic analysis of wildcat samples to aid breeding recommendations Genetics Blood and hair samples are analysed by the WildGenes Lab. • Hair samples are collected when monitoring wildcats and then they go to the lab for analysis. • Combination of genetic test and pelage score are used to assess suitability for the conservation breeding programme. If it's a high scoring cat, it can be used in the breeding program and eventually to be released into the wild. • RZSS has developed a genetic test to help identify wildcats from hybrids. • It uses DNA (the building block of life) markers to identify the level of hybridism (purity). • It has the advantage of generating data that can be compared to datasets for wildcats across Europe. SNP model by David Eccles / CC BY 4.0 Phenotype Due to historical hybridisation there will probably be no 100% pure wildcats, however the current population will have recessive genes from domestic cats e.g. Strips (WC) and spots (DC). Genotype WW Ww ww Bold striped / Wild Allele: W Spotted / Domestic Allele: w Dominant Allele: W Recessive Allele: w Inheritance *Offspring Produced with Mate: Mrs Spot *New Mate: Sophie ‘02 ‘04 ‘06 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10 ‘11 ‘15 So How Did Sophie Become A Carrier? (Slight) Inbreeding! Wildcat breeding 100% WC 100% WC (Inheritance) 100% WC 100% WC 2) 75% WC + 1) 100% DC 25% DC 100% WC 3) 93.75% WC + 50% DC + 50% WC 6.25 DC 87.5% WC + 12.5% DC Which of the youngest wildcats would you NOT select for breeding if the RZSS breeding % was set at 75%? 96.875 % WC + 3.125 % DC Current Wildcat Sub-species East Europe Felis silvestris caucasica European wildcat by Lviatour / CC BY-SA 3.0 West Europe Felis silvestris silvestris The future of the wildcat in Scotland • Biologically and culturally important • A Locally Endangered Population • Genetic Bottle neck in wild • low genetic representation in captivity • Current RZSS Conservation Program • Capture Wild Wildcats • Breed in captivity at HWP Click picture for film • Increase captive gene pool • Capture Neuter Release program • Potential to introduce new genes from European wildcats.