Gene Frequencies and Body Weights of Feral Cats, Felis catus (L.), from Five Australian Localities and from Macquarie Island

1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 231 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Jones ◽  
BJ Horton
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Coat Colour ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Gene Frequencies ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Macquarie Island ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Selection Gene

Frequencies of seven pelage-related genes and a coefficient of darkness were scored on groups of feral cats collected from five localities in south-eastern Australia and from Macquarie Island. There were significant differences in the frequencies of some of these genes and the coefficient of darkness between the various groups of cats. These differences were presumed to have been caused by the combined effects of natural selection, gene flow from surrounding domestic populations, and the founder effect. Significant differences in body weights of cats between some localities and for one coat colour allele were also found.

Biology of the Feral Cat, Felis Catus (L.), On Macquarie Island.

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 425 ◽  
Author(s):  
NP Brothers ◽  
IJ Skira ◽  
GR Copson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Macquarie Island ◽  
Pregnant Females

246 feral cats were shot on Macquarie Island, Australia, between Dec. 1976 and Feb. 1981. The sex ratio ( males : females ) was 1:0.8. The percentages of animals with tabby, orange and black coats were 74, 26 and 2 resp. [sic]. Of the 64 orange cats, 56 were males . The breeding season was Oct.-Mar., with a peak in Nov.-Dec. The number of embryos in the 14 pregnant females averaged 4.7 (range = 1-9). The size of the 23 litters that were observed averaged 3 (range = 1-8). Kitten survival to 6 months of age was estimated to be <43%.

Microspatial genetic heterogeneity and gene flow in stray cats ( Felis catus L.): a comparison of coat colour and microsatellite loci

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1669-1674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludovic Say ◽  
François Bonhomme ◽  
Eric Desmarais ◽  
Dominique Pontier
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Heterogeneity ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Coat Colour ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Stray Cats

Distribution and diet of feral cats (Felis catus) in the Wet Tropics of north-eastern Australia, with a focus on the upland rainforest

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 649
Author(s):  
Jesse Rowland ◽  
Conrad J. Hoskin ◽  
Scott Burnett
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Prey Selection ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Wet Tropics ◽  
Threatened Fauna ◽  
The Many ◽  
Source Sink

Abstract ContextFeral cats have been identified as a key threat to Australia’s biodiversity, particularly in arid areas and tropical woodlands. Their presence, abundance and potential impacts in rainforest have received less attention. AimsTo investigate the distribution and diet of feral cats (Felis catus) in upland rainforest of the Wet Tropics. MethodsWe collated available occurrence records from the Wet Tropics, and data from upland camera-trapping surveys over an 8-year period, to assess geographic and elevational distribution of feral cats in the bioregion. We also assessed the diet of feral cats from scats collected at upland sites. Key resultsFeral cats are widespread through the Wet Tropics bioregion, from the lowlands to the peaks of the highest mountains (&gt;1600m), and in all vegetation types. Abundance appears to vary greatly across the region. Cats were readily detected during camera-trap surveys in some upland rainforest areas (particularly in the southern Atherton Tablelands and Bellenden Ker Range), but were never recorded in some areas (Thornton Peak, the upland rainforest of Windsor Tableland and Danbulla National Park) despite numerous repeated camera-trap surveys over the past 8 years at some of these sites. Scat analysis suggested that small mammals comprise ~70% of the diet of feral cats at an upland rainforest site. Multivariate analysis could not detect a difference in mammal community at sites where cats were detected or not. ConclusionsFeral cats are widespread in the Wet Tropics and appear to be common in some upland areas. However, their presence and abundance are variable across the region, and the drivers of this variability are not resolved. Small mammals appear to be the primary prey in the rainforest, although the impacts of cats on the endemic and threatened fauna of the Wet Tropics is unknown. ImplicationsGiven their documented impact in some ecosystems, research is required to examine the potential impact of cats on Wet Tropics fauna, particularly the many upland endemic vertebrates. Studies are needed on (1) habitat and prey selection, (2) population dynamics, and (3) landscape source–sink dynamics of feral cats in the Wet Tropics.

Bait uptake by feral cats on French Island, Victoria.

2007 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. Johnston ◽  
M.J. Shaw ◽  
A. Robley ◽  
N.K. Schedvin
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Rhodamine B ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Control Technique ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Broad Scale

Management of feral cat (Felis catus) populations is currently limited by the lack of a control technique that is cost-effective, target-specific and suitable for broad-scale application. This paper describes two non-toxic bait acceptance trials undertaken on French Island in Western Port, Victoria in south?eastern Australia. Moist meat baits were injected with the marker Rhodamine B (RB), and surface distributed along the existing road and firebreak network. Subsequent trapping of feral cats facilitated collection of whiskers, which were analysed using ultraviolet fluorescence microscopy for the presence of RB marking. Twenty-four and forty-seven cats respectively were recovered in each trial with fifty per cent of these individuals found to have consumed at least one bait in either trial. Results are discussed with reference to the development of a felid-specific toxicant baiting technique.

scholarly journals Evolutionary history and genetic connectivity across highly fragmented populations of an endangered daisy

Heredity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yael S. Rodger ◽  
Alexandra Pavlova ◽  
Steve Sinclair ◽  
Melinda Pickup ◽  
Paul Sunnucks
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Genetic Connectivity ◽  
Evolutionary Divergence ◽  
Common Component ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Eastern Australia

AbstractConservation management can be aided by knowledge of genetic diversity and evolutionary history, so that ecological and evolutionary processes can be preserved. The Button Wrinklewort daisy (Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides) was a common component of grassy ecosystems in south-eastern Australia. It is now endangered due to extensive habitat loss and the impacts of livestock grazing, and is currently restricted to a few small populations in two regions >500 km apart, one in Victoria, the other in the Australian Capital Territory and nearby New South Wales (ACT/NSW). Using a genome-wide SNP dataset, we assessed patterns of genetic structure and genetic differentiation of 12 natural diploid populations. We estimated intrapopulation genetic diversity to scope sources for genetic management. Bayesian clustering and principal coordinate analyses showed strong population genetic differentiation between the two regions, and substantial substructure within ACT/NSW. A coalescent tree-building approach implemented in SNAPP indicated evolutionary divergence between the two distant regions. Among the populations screened, the last two known remaining Victorian populations had the highest genetic diversity, despite having among the lowest recent census sizes. A maximum likelihood population tree method implemented in TreeMix suggested little or no recent gene flow except potentially between very close neighbours. Populations that were more genetically distinctive had lower genetic diversity, suggesting that drift in isolation is likely driving population differentiation though loss of diversity, hence re-establishing gene flow among them is desirable. These results provide background knowledge for evidence-based conservation and support genetic rescue within and between regions to elevate genetic diversity and alleviate inbreeding.

Testing for Asymmetrical Gene Flow in aDrosophila melanogasterBody-Size Cline

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 165 (2) ◽  
pp. 667-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
W Jason Kennington ◽  
Julia Gockel ◽  
Linda Partridge
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Genetic Parameter ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Microsatellite Data ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Two Populations ◽  
Private Alleles

AbstractAsymmetrical gene flow is an important, but rarely examined genetic parameter. Here, we develop a new method for detecting departures from symmetrical migration between two populations using microsatellite data that are based on the difference in the proportion of private alleles. Application of this approach to data collected from wild-caught Drosophila melanogaster along a latitudinal body-size cline in eastern Australia revealed that asymmetrical gene flow could be detected, but was uncommon, nonlocalized, and occurred in both directions. We also show that, in contrast to the findings of a previous study, there is good evidence to suggest that the cline experiences significant levels of gene flow between populations.

Markers, maps and the detection of trait loci

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 50-50
Author(s):  
C.S. Haley
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Quantitative Trait Loci ◽  
Genetic Markers ◽  
Quantitative Trait ◽  
Coat Colour ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Potential Interest ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Trait Loci ◽  
Modern Breeding

Naturally occurring genetic variation is the basis for differences in performance and appearance between and within different breeds and lines of livestock. In a few instances (e.g. coat colour, polling) the genes (or loci) which control the variation between animals and breeds have a large enough effect to be individually recognisable. For many traits, however, the combined effects of many different genes act together to control quantitative differences between breeds and individuals within breeds (hence such genes are often referred to as quantitative trait loci or QTLs). Thus the dramatic successes of modern breeding result from generations of selection which has produced accumulated changes at a number of different loci. The genome contains up to 100,000 different genes and identifying those which contribute to variation in traits of interest is a difficult task. One first step is to identify regions of the genome containing loci of potential interest through their linkage to genetic markers.

Coat Colour and Fittness of Rabbits on Macquarie Island

1982 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
IJ Skira ◽  
NP Brothers ◽  
GR Copson
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Weight Distribution ◽  
Coat Colour ◽  
Eye Lens ◽  
Macquarie Island

Agouti rabbits constituted 84% and black rabbits 16% of the 5137 rabbits shot at Macquarie I, between 1973 and 1977. The occurrence of other coat colours was rare. There were no significant physical differences between agouti and black rabbits with respect to body weight, litter size and eye-lens weight distribution. The hypothesis that black rabbits are more robust than agouti rabbits was not substantiated.

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