A common statement on anthropogenic hybridization of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris)

Preserving natural genetic diversity and ecological function of wild species is a central goal in conservation biology. As such, anthropogenic hybridization is considered a threat to wild populations, as it can lead to changes in the genetic makeup of wild species and even to the extinction of wild genomes. In European wildcats, the genetic and ecological impacts of gene flow from domestic cats are mostly unknown at the species scale. However, in small and isolated populations, it is known to include genetic swamping of wild genomes. In this context, it is crucial to better understand the dynamics of hybridization across the species range, to inform and implement management measures that maintain the genetic diversity and integrity of the European wildcat. In the present paper, we aim to provide an overview of the current scientific understanding of anthropogenic hybridization in European wildcats, to clarify important aspects regarding the evaluation of hybridization given the available methodologies, and to propose guidelines for management and research priorities

Mammal responses to global changes in human activity vary by trophic group and landscape

Wildlife must adapt to human presence to survive in the Anthropocene, so it is critical to understand species responses to humans in different contexts. We used camera trapping as a lens to view mammal responses to changes in human activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Across 163 species sampled in 102 projects around the world, changes in the amount and timing of animal activity varied widely. Under higher human activity, mammals were less active in undeveloped areas but unexpectedly more active in developed areas while exhibiting greater nocturnality. Carnivores were most sensitive, showing the strongest decreases in activity and greatest increases in nocturnality. Wildlife managers must consider how habituation and uneven sensitivity across species may cause fundamental differences in human–wildlife interactions along gradients of human influence.Peer reviewe

Current Status, Distribution, And Conservation Of Brown Bear (Ursidae) And Wild Canids (Gray Wolf, Golden Jackal, And Red Fox; Canidae) In Turkey

Turkey has viable populations of many carnivore species of the Western Palearctic. Among those, ursids and canids are represented by brown bear (Ursus arctos) and 3 canid species, gray wolf (Canis lupus), golden jackal (Canis aureus), and red fox (Vulpes vulpes), respectively. Those species occur in major ecosystems of Turkey and experience a wide range of threats, and they are at the center of human-wildlife conflicts. However, due to a limited number of studies about their ecology and taxonomy, their current distributions, population sizes, and statuses are vague. In this study, we document the 4 species' known data in terms of distribution range, population biology, phylogeography, threats and conflicts with people, and National Red List status in Turkey by reviewing the recent literature and national news about carnivores, data collection in field surveys, and interviews with local people, personnel of the Ministry of Forestry, and hunters in more than 50 provinces. Additionally, we also provide information about rabies cases in consideration with carnivore conservation. We finally recommend further studies to fill information gaps for wildlife conservation and management based on scientific evidence.WoSScopu

Does fire-shaped habitat mosaic support large mammal community in Mediterranean pine forest?

Habitat diversity is maintained by fires in fire-prone ecosystems of the Mediterranean Basin, and fire is a significant driver of plant and animal diversity in such ecosystems. We studied large mammal species in a Mediterranean habitat mosaic generated by recent fires. We performed a camera-trapping survey in Pinus brutia forests in southwestern Turkey between May 2009 and February 2010. The study area was structured by recently-burned and unburned habitat patches. A total of 2047 camera-trap days were obtained with 33 camera-trap stations which were established in three replicate study sites (each ~12 km2 in size) comprised both of burned (within the last 15 years) and unburned habitat patches. During the study period, we detected eight large mammal species including brown bear (Ursus arctos), caracal (Caracal caracal), and wild goat (Capra aegagrus), which are of conservation importance. Among these species, six were present both in recently-burned and unburned habitats; except the brown bear (only in burned sites) and the wild goat (only in unburned sites). A permutation test revealed that there is no significant difference in relative abundance of target species except the wild boar (Sus scrofa) which was observed in significantly higher abundances in burned sites than unburned ones (z = -2.3, P = 0.01). Our results suggest that habitat mosaics shaped by fire disturbance in Mediterranean pine forests support large mammal occurrence, and have important implications for the conservation of large mammals in frequently-burned Mediterranean ecosystems.peerReviewe

Presence Of Large And Medium-Sized Mammals In A Burned Pine Forest In Southwestern Turkey

Wo

Impact of Anatolian Motorway on Large Mammals: Quantifying the Permeability and Impact Zones

Roads are one of the major structures that cause habitat fragmentation all over the world. Motorways and highways especially create a greater disturbance due to their size and extent, not only by increasing the fragmentation but also by resulting in edge effect. Large mammals, due to their need for extensive areas for resources, have large home-ranges, which are more easily fragmented by roads acting as barriers. Motorways and highways may further act as total barriers for certain species, dividing their populations. Turkey is home, still, to a great diversity of large mammals. However, being a developing country, an extensive amount of infrastructure projects have been under way in an increasing fashion during the last two decades. Roads have been built in excessive amounts, serving as the main infrastructural elements to connect new and enlarged settlements and resource extraction sites such as mines and dams. A total of 17,000 kms of highways were built in Turkey during the last decade. Unfortunately, the effects of roads on wildlife have not been assessed. This study is the first one evaluating the road's effects on wildlife in Turkey. In order to evaluate the effects of roads on wildlife, a 100 km. segment of the Anatolian motorway, connecting Ankara and İstanbul, is monitored for two years, using 200+ camera traps located at every underpass. The surrounding forest areas were monitored using additional 55 camera traps utilizing systematic grids at 1,5 x 1,5 kms. A total of 2068 red fox, 1926 golden jackal, 934 wolf, 692 wild boar, 168 brown bear, 32 lynx, 10 red deer and 3 roe deer passing events recorded (filtered by hour). Out of three types of underpasses - culvert, multi-use underpass, viaduct - herbivores used only the viaducts. The heights of underpasses - but not the length or width - significantly affect the preference of all carnivores except red fox. An additional effect of the road on the use of large mammals at varying distances from the road is determined: the use of roadside areas were lower than average use in the 0-500 m. zone while it peaked in 500-1500 m. zone, and undulating around average use at 1500-5000 m. zone on both sides of the road. Such a pattern, caused by the effect of road was also determined in several other studies.peerReviewe