CATS
Cat-fox? Science has finally provided clarity
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Cat-fox? Science has finally provided clarity
A genetic study published in the scientific journal Molecular Ecology, supported by the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) and the Laboratory of Biometrics and Evolutionary Biology (CNRS - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1) has finally demonstrated the existence of a specific genetic line concerning wildcats discovered in Corsica in 2008. In this photogallery we present the results of the studies that have been carried out on this particular animal in recent years. (Source: OFB)
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Ghjattu-fox or Corsican wildcat
Known as "ghjattu-fox," this animal was captured accidentally in 2008 in Corsica. The animal has traits reminiscent of both the cat and the fox, which led to the beginning of a series of research aimed at identifying its genetic identity.
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Features
This animal resembles a red-shaded tiger cat, has large ears and short whiskers, and is different from other wild cat species identified so far. It bears a greater resemblance to the African wildcat (felis silvestris lybica) than to its European "relative" (felis silvestris silvestris). The attribution of the name is derived to the length of its body and tail.
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Origins
After reaching Sardinia and Corsica, probably thanks to merchant ships, today its habitat is mainly limited to the French island. According to experts, this species is at high risk of extinction.
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Wild course
With the aim of clarifying the status of this 'cat', already present in the agro-pastoral mythology of the French island, many traps and photo traps were set up between 2011 and 2014 by agents of the French Biodiversity Office. This led to the identification of eight individuals presenting a common phenotype (coat characteristic), referred to as the 'wild course'.
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Early genetic studies
The LBBE and the Antagene laboratory conducted initial genetic studies that revealed that these animals do not belong to the European wild cat species, namely the F. silvestris silvestris.
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Follow-up studies
Over a period of four years, from 2016 to 2020, sixteen wildcat specimens and one stray domestic cat were captured in the valley of Asco, Corsica. Using genetic samples and collars GPS, it was possible to distinguish Corsican wild cats from those of other populations.
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Progress
Analysis by high-throughput sequencing has led to considerable progress in identifying different strains of wild and domestic cats. Among them, "Corsican" samples are found to be genetically distant from continental wild cats and close to Sardinian cats, although they show some differences.
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Similarity
In addition, Corsican domestic cats turn out to be similar to those in mainland France, while Sardinian cats are somewhere between Corsican and domestic cats.
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Conclusions
In any case, the results allow us to rule out the possibility that the Corsican wildcat belongs to the F.s. silvestris or catus species, but further study and analysis of more wildcat specimens from the Mediterranean and Near East is needed to understand the history and evolution of this population in Corsica. What is certain is that this animal has a specific genetic lineage.
