Home range (HR) is a key indicator of animal spatial ecology. HR size, shape, location and habitat composition reflect both species' ecological requirements and their responses to anthropogenic stressors. Felidae, a charismatic taxon, faces escalating threats mainly due to habitat degradation and human-wildlife conflict. Understanding the ecological and anthropogenic drivers of HR size variation is therefore critical for their conservation. To address this gap and explore these factors at a global scale for the entire taxon, we used the HomeRange database-a global database with HR values across 960 different mammal species-complemented with about 20% additional records, to compile 1137 individual HR size estimates from 29 out of 40 recognized wild felid species. We applied generalized linear mixed models to assess the influence of intrinsic, methodological, ecological and anthropogenic factors on space use. HR size was shaped by multiple drivers. It increased with body mass (0.94 ± 0.16; p < 10-8) and was larger in males than in females (0.51 ± 0.07; p < 10-13), consistent with higher energy demands and sex-specific reproductive strategies. HR size decreased with increasing productivity (-0.37 ± 0.07; p < 10-7) and felid richness (-0.24 ± 0.10; p = 0.02), suggesting reduced spatial requirements in resource-rich areas and under interspecific competition. HR size also decreased with increasing croplands (HR: -0.50 ± 0.14; p < 10-3) and pastures (HR: -0.16 ± 0.07; p = 0.02)-both human footprint proxies-which may reflect multiple causes such as anthropogenic food sources, habitat loss or movement restriction from infrastructures associated with agriculture. Our results reinforce the role of well-known established HR size's predictors such as body mass, sex and primary productivity while highlighting the impact of less frequently investigated factors (i.e. felid richness and agricultural land-use). Our findings emphasize the importance of incorporating a broad range of biological, environmental and methodological predictors when studying space use across a taxonomic group. Our approach provides novel insights into habitat requirements and the effects of anthropogenic pressures, which can ultimately lead to improved conservation strategies for felids.

Abstract Aim Home range size is a fundamental aspect of animal spatial ecology, and understanding the factors that shape it is important for conservation purposes. Several hypotheses, based on energy needs or competition, assume that home range size negatively correlates with population density. However, this pattern has been little investigated on a global scale, and it remains unclear whether it would stand at both intra- and interspecific levels. To fill this gap, we conducted a global exploration of this relationship at the level of an animal family. Location: Global. Time period: Contemporary. Major taxa studied: Wild Felidae . Methods Individual home range size records ( n = 1022) and population density estimates ( n = 1061) were retrieved from the literature for 23 felid species across the world. We first investigated the interspecific relationship by modelling the median home range size of a species as a function of its median population density. To study the intraspecific relationship, we spatially merged data points based on their spatial or temporal proximity. We then applied a mixed-effects linear model using species as a random factor. Results We found that home range size was negatively associated with population density, at both interspecific (−1.323 ± 0.180, p < 0.001) and intraspecific levels (−0.569 ± 0.201 to - 0.537 ± 0.201 depending on the merging approach, p < 0.01). Landscape features were also predictors of home range size, without confounding the effect of population density. Main conclusions Several processes likely govern the relationship between home range size and population density: differences in body mass between species may drive the interspecific relationship, whereas the intraspecific pattern is probably explained by conspecific competition. Although more research is needed to quantify their relative contribution, our study highlights a worldwide ecological pattern that exists at multiple biological levels in the wild.

The European wildcat (Felis silvestris) is an elusive felid legally protected in Europe under the Appendix II of CITES, yet ecological knowledge for the Italian populations remains scant. Exceptions are a few studies that estimated population density in Southern Italy and the Alps. Here we estimated the population density of wild-living cats, i.e. wildcats, domestic cat (Felis catus) and their putative hybrids (Felis silvestris x catus; hereafter ‘hybrid’), while also investigating their occurrence and activity patterns in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park (Tuscany-Emilia Romagna), Italy. By using a camera-trapping grid with 59 cameras spread over 355.87 km2 from 31 August to 18 November 2020, we collected 180 wild-living cat detections, which we classified based on coat pattern as 65 wildcat, 23 domestic cats and 32 hybrid detections at 25, 4 and 10 stations respectively; we individually identified 15, 3 and 9 wildcats, domestic cats and hybrids, respectively. The most supported multi-session SECR model estimated the population density of wildcats, domestic cats and hybrids to be 3.09 (95

OBJECTIVE:The European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris, hereafter only wildcat), is a key carnivore species in Europe and faces population declines due to habitat fragmentation, hybridization with domestic cats, and disease transmission. Parasites from domestic animals pose a significant health risk, potentially affecting wildcat survival. To assess disease risks, this study examines parasite richness and abundance in three genetically distinct wildcat populations from Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Basilicata, and Sicily). METHODS:Between 2005 and 2022, necropsies were conducted on wildcat carcasses collected from these regions, following standardized protocols for genetic identification, biometric measurements, and parasitological examinations. Parasites, isolated from anatomical systems, were morphologically identified. Bayesian linear mixed models evaluated the influence of sex, age, region, and organ type on parasite richness and abundance. RESULTS:Among 51 carcasses, 39 were genetically confirmed wildcats, 8 domestic cats, and 4 hybrids. Road accidents were the primary cause of death (84.6%). All wildcats harboured at least one parasite species, with gastrointestinal parasites in 97.4% and respiratory parasites in 64%. Toxocara cati (84.6%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (56.4%), and Taenia taeniaeformis (82.1%) were the most prevalent species. Parasite richness and abundance were higher in intestines. In addition, parasite richness was lower in Sicilian wildcats whereas parasite abundance was lower for adult wildcats. Parasite richness and abundance show a positive linear relationship. CONCLUSIONS:Regional and age-specific variations in parasite prevalence suggest environmental influences and an increased resistance to parasites infection in adult wildcats. The presence of parasites highlights the need for conservation efforts to mitigate disease transmission. The findings herein reported emphasize the importance of continued research to assist wildcat conservation strategies and address emerging health threats.

Lynx rufus (Bobcat) and Lontra canadensis (River Otter) experienced abundance increases and range expansions across the midwestern US after effective management. In response, multiple states allowed legal harvest of both species. In Illinois, Bobcats and River Otters were listed as furbearing game species in 2016 and 2012, respectively; however, little research into how harvest may be affecting these species has been conducted. We used age-at-death data and life-table analyses to determine growth rates (r) and other demographic metrics pre- and post-harvest implementation for both species. We constructed pre-harvest life tables using data from 141 Bobcats (age 0-13 yr) and 165 River Otters (0-12 yr) collected from opportunistic roadkills between 1996 and 2016. We constructed post-harvest life tables using data from 126 Bobcats (age 0-9 yr) and 179 River Otters (age 0-9 yr) collected from roadkills and harvested individuals between 2018 and 2023. Bobcat r was 0.28 in the pre-harvest stage-based life table and 0.08 post-harvest. River Otter r was 0.66 in the pre-harvest stage-based life table and-0.09 post-harvest. After harvest implementation, River Otter population growth declined more than Bobcats. While limited by sample size and sex determination uncertainty, our results corroborate patterns observed in other furbearer populations after harvest implementation. Future statewide abundance research of Bobcats and River Otters may benefit from policies encouraging more hunters and trappers to submit samples and the creation of reliable systems to determine sex.

Biodiversity is threatened by habitat destruction and fragmentation; in this context, the knowledge and monitoring of patterns of occupancy of species is crucial for management of areas and planning proper actions. This study focuses on the monitoring of the presence of the European Wildcat (Felis silvestris Schreber) which conservation is threatened by several factors, including hybridization with domestic cats. This paper presents the evaluation state-of-the-art Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for classification purpose. The employed dataset includes images of three main classes of cat species (i.e., Domestic, Wild, Hybrid) with three sub-classes each (i.e., ALIVE, DEAD, NECRO) captured in real world scenario using trap cameras or smartphones. The challenges are mostly related to the quality of the dataset, which is strongly biased and imbalanced, due to the nature of this task. Moreover, the images span within a wide range of qualities and acquisition settings including low lighting, specific poses, and backgrounds. The experimental results have highlighted that it is a highly complex task, and the data exhibit high specificity.

The Mainland leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis bengalensis) has a wide distribution, but little is known about its ecology in Nepal. We deployed 36 pairs of cameras for three weeks in 2020 in a non-protected area of the Nepalese Himalayan foothills. We obtained 18 leopard cat detections, however simultaneous detections on both flanks never occurred. We used a multi-session spatially-explicit capture-recapture (SECR) model and a Spatial Partial Identity Model (SPIM) to estimate its population density, which was 10.74 (CI = 4.32-26.7) and 12.83 (CCI = 3.09-25.99) individuals per 100 km2, suggesting a healthy population for this area.

Land use intensification is increasing worldwide and affects wildlife movements, particularly of specialist car-nivores. Resource availability and anthropogenic activities drive the extent and shape of home range size. Wildlife may respond to decreased resource availability under intensification scenarios by increasing their home ranges; however they may be less affected when inhabiting sustainable agricultural landscapes. We investigate whether agricultural practices and landscape configuration influence the spatial behaviour of wildcats, a medium-sized specialist carnivore inhabiting landscapes with different degrees of agricultural presence across Europe. We focus on the effect of the proportions of high impact and low impact agriculture, forest integrity and forest edge density on wildcat home range size. We found that wildcat home range increased along with the proportion of high impact agriculture and the forest integrity, whereas it decreased when forest edge density increased. Forest edge density buffered the detrimental effects caused by high impact agriculture. To enhance the long term conservation of wildcats in Europe it is crucial to protect the sustainable mosaic-structured landscapes and prevent its conversion to homogenous intensified agricultural landscapes.

The European wildcat is an elusive small carnivore species whose distribution, behavioural ecology and interactions with domestic cats are scantly known. However, the use of camera-trapping is steadily increasing in wildlife studies as well as citizen science, with the latter setting the basis for a large source of robust data. Here we provide an overview of our efforts to create an independent network, named Piccoli Fototrappolatori Indipendenti (Little Independent Camera-trappers, hereafter PFI), of citizen scientists who are contributing with the goal of a deeper understanding of wildcat ecology. We engaged 31 volunteers who collected domestic cats, putative hybrids (hereafter hybrids) and wildcats’ detections at 503 locations throughout Italy from 11/04/2006 to 24/10/2022. So far, this dataset hosts 312 images and 1015 videos (1327 detections) which were morphological examined and standardised, leading to 123, 137 and 1016 detections of domestic cats, hybrids and wildcats, respectively. We documented the expansion of the wildcat towards Northern Italy, with the first camera-trapping records from the Western Alps (Val D’Aosta) and from the Northern Apennines (Liguria), as well as the detection of kink-tailed wildcats in new regions. Moreover, we observed behavioural differences among cat types, with domestic cats marking at a lower rate and with hybrids being less elusive than wildcats at night. Further research and efforts are needed to better explore the conservation consequences of our findings, as well as to investigate the full potential of citizen science combined with camera trapping which are promising tools in wildcat conservation.

Large carnivores have been largely extirpated from Southeast Asia due to deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and poaching. Estimating the density of endangered carnivore populations, and identifying relationships between species occupancy and both environmental and anthropogenic factors, is essential for effective conservation planning. Recently, the IUCN conservation status of the Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) was upgraded to "Critically Endangered. " We surveyed Kweekoh Wildlife Sanctuary in Kawthoolei, an area administered by the Karen ethnic group in eastern Myanmar, to quantify (1) leopard population density using spatially explicit mark-resight (SMR) models, (2) leopard occupancy as influenced by important ecological variables, and (3) potential differences in activity between melanistic and spotted leopard morphs. Leopard density was estimated to be 1.39 +/- SE 0.22/100 km(2). Leopard occupancy (psi = 0.43; 95% credible interval: 0.26-0.67) increased further from roads, at relatively higher elevations, and in areas with higher relative abundance of wild boar. Leopard activity was cathemeral, with higher activity during night hours, and significant overlap (delta = 0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.71-0.96) between melanistic and spotted morphs. However, melanistic leopards were more active during twilight hours than spotted individuals whose activity did not significantly vary throughout the day. Indochinese leopard density estimates in Kweekoh were among the lowest reported from Southeast Asia. Leopard occupancy was highest in the sanctuary's core areas, suggesting the presence of negative anthropogenic impacts along the sanctuary borders. We suggest our low density estimates warrant immediate and decisive conservation action, including better protection for leopards, their habitat, and their prey.

AimInsights into the biological and evolutionary traits of species, and their ability to cope with global changes, can be gained by studying genetic diversity within species. A cornerstone hypothesis in evolutionary and conservation biology suggests that genetic diversity decreases with decreasing population size, however, population size is difficult to estimate in threatened species with large distribution ranges, and evidence for this is limited to few species. To address this gap, we tested this hypothesis across multiple closely related species at a global scale using population density which is a more accessible measure.LocationGlobal.Time PeriodContemporary.Major Taxa StudiedWild felids in their natural habitats.MethodsWe obtained data from published estimates of population density assessed via camera trap and within-population genetic diversity generated from microsatellite markers on 18 felid species across 41 countries from 354 studies. We propose a novel method to standardize population density estimates and to spatially join data using K-means clustering. Linear mixed-effect modelling was applied to account for confounding factors such as body mass, generation length and sample size used for the genetic estimates.ResultsWe found a significant positive correlation between population density and genetic diversity, particularly observed heterozygosity and allelic richness. While the confounding factors did not affect the main results, long generation length and large sample size were significantly associated with high genetic diversity. Body mass had no effect on genetic diversity, likely because large-bodied species were over-represented in our data sets.Main ConclusionsOur study emphasizes how recent demographic processes shape neutral genetic diversity in threatened and small populations where extinction vortex is a risk. Although caution is needed when interpreting the small population density effect in our findings, our methodological framework shows promising potential to identify which populations require actions to conserve maximal genetic variation.

Research on the ecology and behaviour of mesocarnivores and their prey is scant in Mongolia. We investigated activity patterns of a guild of mesocarnivores (red fox, Pallas’s cat and beech marten) and their prey (Siberian marmot, Daurian pika, Brandt vole, Mongolian gerbil and Mongolian silver vole) using 21 camera traps (effort = 1155 camera days) in Central Mongolia from 25st of May to 20th August 2019. Activity patterns of mesocarnivores were cathemeral (i.e. no difference between diurnal, nocturnal and crepuscular detections, although activity peaked at sunrise). Among prey, the Siberian marmot and the Daurian pika were diurnal, whereas the Mongolian gerbil and the Mongolian silver vole were not generally crepuscular. Beech marten, the smallest mesocarnivore species, was temporally segregated from the other (and larger) mesocarnivore species. Temporal segregation between mesocarnivores and prey was evident between the following pairs: red fox vs Brandt’s vole and Mongolian gerbil; Pallas’s cat vs Siberian marmot, Brandt’s vole and Mongolian gerbil; and beech marten vs Siberian marmot, Daurian pika and the Mongolian silver vole. Activity overlap between mesocarnivores and prey ranged considerably. Activity overlap between the beech marten and prey was lower than that of the other mesocarnivores. Temporal overlap among mesocarnivores and between mesocarnivores and prey seemed to be related to species-specific traits, while also being mediated by local prey abundance. We suggest future surveys should be stratified based on habitat and on the target species, while also integrating different survey methods (e.g. camera traps and live trapping of small mammals).

Knowledge of genetic diversity is important to wildlife conservation because genetically depleted populations experience an increased risk of extinction. Mammalian carnivores are characterized by small and fragmented populations and low dispersal, so that genetic erosion can lead to the fixation of deleterious genes relatively quickly, leading to morphological abnormalities. Kinked tails and cowlicks are indicative of inbreeding depression and have been described in two wild cat species so far, the puma (Puma concolor) and the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). Here we report the first records of morphological abnormalities in five populations of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) in Italy by using (1) camera-trapping and (2) necropsy of road-killed individuals assessed through genetic analysis. We collected 24,055 trap-nights from 251 cameras and recorded 566 wildcat detections, from which we identified 148 wildcats. Among these, 11 individuals had a kinked tail and four displayed brachyuria, whereas three wildcats from Sicily had cowlicks on the thorax. We recovered 28 road-killed wildcats and two of them (from Sicily and Friuli Venezia Giulia) had a kinked tail. Among these, one female with a kinked tail had a male foetus with a kinked tail, which proved that this characteristic was genetically inherited. We are unsure why brachyuria or cowlicks were not detected across all monitored wildcat populations, given we found kinked tails throughout Italy. The frequencies at which we have detected these abnormalities in wildcats are far lower than reports from Florida panthers (Puma concolor). Future research is needed to verify whether these abnormalities are also associated with low genetic diversity or other morphological defects which might lower fitness. We recommend a nationwide effort, using these techniques within a standardized sampling design, to further understand the status of the wildcat in Italy.

Abstract The European wildcat is a small carnivore widespread across Europe and hybridization with the domestic cat is one of the major threats to wildcats. We estimate the population density of wild-living cats (both wildcats and putative hybrids based on pelage) in the Gargano National Park (Southern Italy). We sampled 20 stations for 540 camera days. We obtained 23 images from 17 detections at 10 cameras, and we identified 10 individuals (6 wildcats and 4 putative hybrids). Population density was estimated at 0.34 ± 0.15 SE wild-living cats/km2. The proportion of putative hybrids indicates an alarming hybridization for this population.

Hybridisation between domestic and wild taxa can pose severe threats to wildlife conservation, and human-induced hybridisation, often linked to species' introductions and habitat degradation, may promote reproductive opportunities between species for which natural interbreeding would be highly unlikely. Using a biome-specific approach, we examine the effects of a suite of ecological drivers on the European wildcat's genetic integrity, while assessing the role played by protected areas in this process. We used genotype data from 1217 putative European wildcat samples from 13 European countries to assess the effects of landcover, disturbance and legal landscape protection on the European wildcat's genetic integrity across European biomes, through generalised linear models within a Bayesian framework. Overall, we found European wildcats to have genetic integrity levels above the wildcat-hybrid threshold (ca. 83%; threshold = 80%). However, Mediterranean and Temperate Insular biomes (i.e., Scotland) revealed lower levels, with 74% and 46% expected genetic integrity, respectively. We found that different drivers shape the level of genetic introgression across biomes, although forest integrity seems to be a common factor promoting European wildcat genetic integrity. Wildcat genetic integrity remains high, regardless of landscape legal protection, in biomes where populations appear to be healthy and show recent local range expansions. However, in biomes more susceptible to hybridisation, even protected areas show limited effectiveness in mitigating this threat. In the face of the detected patterns, we recommend that species conservation and management plans should be biome- and landscape-context-specific to ensure effective wildcat conservation, especially in the Mediterranean and Temperate Insular biomes.

Abstract. The assessment of the conservation status of a species is the first step to prevent local extinction and to plan appropriate, effective and scientifically sound conservation actions, hence knowledge of the distribution, population trends and characteristics of preferred habitat is crucial for the conservation of a species. Galliformes are facing increasing threats related to overhunting, habitat loss and fragmentation, and human disturbance. The Sicilian Rock Partridge (hereafter Rock Partridge) Alectoris graeca whitakeri is a significant conservation unit endemic to Sicily (Italy) classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN due to a decreasing population. Few studies have been conducted on the occurrence and population density of this subspecies. Here, we estimated its population density and identified which habitat factors drive the occurrence of this species on Mt. Etna. We used a combination of sampling methods (species-specific play-back calls, distance sampling, camera-trapping) to collect count and presence/absence data, which were then integrated into a single habitat model (presence vs. absence). We obtained 24 responses from play-back calls (plus 8 individuals observed while performing the play-back calls), 8 sightings from distance sampling, 6 detections from camera-trapping. Probability of occurrence of Rock Partridge on Mt. Etna was positively driven by shrub and meadow vegetation, whereas its occurrence decreased with an increase in both woody areas (coniferous and deciduous) and elevation. Population density estimated using play-back call data resulted in 0.80 pairs/km2 (95% CI: 0.17–2.22) over an area of 53.7 km2. The density of Rock Partridge on Mt. Etna appeared to have slightly declined and its distribution undergone a contraction since the previous survey. Several potential threats to the Rock Partridge in Sicily are currently increasing and should be mitigated to ensure the long-term survival of this unique population on Mt. Etna, as well as in the whole island of Sicily.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Throughout midwestern North American ecosystems, semi-aquatic mammals including beaver ( Castor canadensis ), mink ( Neovision vision ), muskrat ( Ondatra zibethicus ), and river otter ( Lontra canadensis ) co-exist in wetlands. These species are ecologically important through their manipulation of habitats and interactions with other species present. Although natural resource managers in urban ecosystems are interested in semi-aquatic mammals and factors affecting their ecology, few such studies exist in the literature. We studied impacts of restoration practices and other environmental covariates on detection and occupancy of the 4 aforementioned focal species on forest preserves managed by the Lake County Forest Preserve District (Lake County, Illinois, USA). Sign surveys were conducted during December-April in 2018-19 and 2019-20. We quantified 12 variables representing bank measurements, temperature, precipitation, soil type, and survey replicate to inform the detection process and quantified 12 variables representing forest cover measurements, aquatic plant measurements, dominant landcover, restoration practices, and anthropogenic disturbances for the occupancy process. Single species, multi-season occupancy models were run in RStudio using the package unmarked . Detection probabilities ranged from 0.10 ± 0.07 for river otters to 0.60 ± 0.03 for muskrats; occupancy probabilities ranged from 0.28 ± 0.18 for river otters to 0.90 ± 0.05 for muskrats. Detection and occupancy were influenced by similar environmental factors (bank measurements, precipitation, and survey replicate for detection; and stream measurements and food availability for occupancy) compared to more rural locations. We provide further evidence that muskrats are urban adapters and document the initial stages of river otter recolonization in the Chicago Metropolitan Area.

Context. The ranges of many small, at-risk felid species occur almost entirely in unprotected areas, where research efforts are minimal; hence data on their density and activity patterns are scare. Aims. We estimated density and activity patterns of Pallas's cats on unprotected lands in central Mongolia during two periods (May-August and September-November) in 2019. Methods. We used spatially explicit capture-recapture models to estimate population density at 15.2 +/- 4.8 individuals per 100 km(2). Key results. We obtained 484 Pallas's cat images from 153 detections during 4266 camera-days. We identified Pallas's cats using pelage markings and identified 16 individuals from 64 detections. Pallas's cat activity was consistent between the two survey periods (similar to 0.50), with cats mainly active during crepuscular hours in the first period and strictly diurnal in the second. Conclusions. We provide the first estimation of a Pallas's cat population density using camera-trapping. Compared with other methods used, densities were high in our study area, which was likely to be due to a combination of highly suitable habitat and abundant prey. Seasonal shifts in the activity patterns of Pallas's cats indicated a likely adaptive response to reduced risk of depredation by raptors. Implications. We recommend August to November as the best time for camera-trapping surveys for Pallas's cats, given their high daily activity and the easiest interpretation of images used for individual identification collected during this time. We also suggest that future camera-trapping surveys of Pallas's cat be mindful of potential camera-trap avoidance through time.