Preliminary data on the distribution of free-ranging dogs in a Bulgarian National Park

Doykin, N., Popova, E., Zlatanov, V., Petrov, P., & Zlatanova, D. 2016. Preliminary data on the distribution of free-ranging dogs (Canis familiaris L.) in NP Vitosha, Bulgaria. Annuaire de l’Université de Sofia “St. Kliment Ohridski” Faculte de Biologie 2016, volume 101, livre 4, pp. 11-22. Youth Scientific Conference “Kliment’s Days”, Sofia 2015

Free-ranging dogs often leave the urbanized areas and stray into nearby mountainous habitats, even entering protected areas. This causes problems for the wildlife due to either direct predation or disturbance. Our camera trap survey (July 2013 - November 2014) in NP Vitosha, Bulgaria resulted in a total of 199 independent registrations of free-ranging dogs in 81 locations. In this preliminary study, we present the distribution, habitat selection, and distance from settlements and activity of free ranging dogs in Vitosha NP. The free-ranging dogs in Vitosha are predominantly diurnal, and show preference towards coniferous and mixed forests, mostly closed. Their distribution and activity patterns are influenced by human presence, which is due to the fact that they at least partially rely on human-sourced food. Some data for observations of wild animals influenced by dogs is also discussed. 

Genetic traces of historical human‐mediated dispersal of feral cats

Koch, K., Algar, D., & Schwenk, K. (2016). Feral Cat Globetrotters: genetic traces of historical human‐mediated dispersal. Ecology and Evolution.

Endemic species on islands are highly susceptible to local extinction, in particular if they are exposed to invasive species. Invasive predators, such as feral cats, have been introduced to islands around the world, causing major losses in local biodiversity. In order to control and manage invasive species successfully, information about source populations and level of gene flow is essential. Here, we investigate the origin of feral cats of Hawaiian and Australian islands to verify their European ancestry and a potential pattern of isolation by distance. We analyzed the genetic structure and diversity of feral cats from eleven islands as well as samples from Malaysia and Europe using mitochondrial DNA (ND5 and ND6 regions) and microsatellite DNA data. Our results suggest an overall European origin of Hawaiian cats with no pattern of isolation by distance between Australian, Malaysian, and Hawaiian populations. Instead, we found low levels of genetic differentiation between samples from Tasman Island, Lana'i, Kaho'olawe, Cocos (Keeling) Island, and Asia. As these populations are separated by up to 10,000 kilometers, we assume an extensive passive dispersal event along global maritime trade routes in the beginning of the 19th century, connecting Australian, Asian, and Hawaiian islands. Thus, islands populations, which are characterized by low levels of current gene flow, represent valuable sources of information on historical, human-mediated global dispersal patterns of feral cats.

Map of the world representing the main route (Golden Round) used by maritime fur trade (black lines). Boxes show sampling locations in Australia, Hawaii, and South-East Asia with bars indicating graphical output from STRUCTURE analysis for K = 5. Each individual cat is represented by a single vertical line in population's subset plots, which were assigned to their place of origin.

Feral cats population would decrease in range in NSW under climate change

Caley, P., Tennant, P., & Hood, G. (2011). Modelling the distribution of vertebrate pests in New South Wales under climate change. Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre.

Feral cats were considered to occur in all but 0.4% of cells during the 2004 survey, with densities considered highest in the south-west plains (no data was collected for the ACT). All climate models forecast a substantial decrease in the area of moderate and high cat density, with a commensurate increase in low cat density

Modelling future distribution of feral cats in NZ under Climate change

Aguilar, G.D., M.J. Farnwortha & L. Winder. 2015. Mapping the stray domestic cat (Felis catus) population in New Zealand: Species distribution modelling with a climate change scenario and implications for protected areas. Applied Geography, 63: 146–154

Species distribution models of stray cats were developed using two types of occurrence data: (i) a combined dataset of stray cats and cat colonies in Auckland and projected to the wider New Zealand area; and (ii) population density as an analogue for country-wide stray cat occurrence. These occurrence data, together with sets of environmental variables were used as input to the Maxent modelling tool to produce maps of suitability for the species. Environmental variables used in the models consist of current bioclimatic conditions, and a future climate scenario (RCP8.5 for year 2070 CCSM model). Commonly occurring bias in the modelling process due to latitude, the area for selecting background points in model evaluation, inherent spatial autocorrelation of occurrence points, and correlated bioclimatic variables were explicitly addressed. Results show that the North Island consistently provide more suitable areas for stray cats with increased suitability in a high emission climate change condition. Key protected areas at risk from the increased suitability to stray cats are also presented.

Discovering geographic information for exploratory spatial analysis of stray cats

Aguilar, G. D., & Farnworth, M. J. (2012). Stray cats in Auckland, New Zealand: Discovering geographic information for exploratory spatial analysis. Applied Geography, 34, 230-238.

Stray cats are a common feature of urban landscapes and are associated with issues of animal welfare and negative environmental impacts. Management, planning and decision-making require readily accessible information on stray cats. However, much of the existing data is not immediately useful for a geographic information system (GIS) in terms of format, content and explicit location information. Spreadsheets we obtained from a single large shelter in the Auckland region. They contained records of stray cat pickups and admissions for an entire year (n = 8573) of which 56.4% (n = 4834) contained data that could be processed to derive relevant spatial information. The resulting data consisted of identified roads and areas of Auckland where the stray cats were found. Published census databases and shapefiles were matched with the data to build a GIS of stray cats. Global and local regression analysis was employed to discover spatial distribution characteristics including the identification of areas with relatively high and low concentrations of stray cats and to explore relationships between socioeconomic condition and stray cat density. Significant clustering is more evident in South Auckland than elsewhere in the region. Specific geographical information is valuable, not only for understanding population dynamics of stray cats, but also to allow spatial and temporal targeting of resources to minimise their impact and promote responsible ownership.

Highlights

► Spreadsheets containing records of stray cat observations for an entire year in the Auckland area were processed to derive relevant spatial information. ► Data were matched with existing official census databases and shapefiles of the Auckland region to build a GIS of stray cats. ► Spatial characterization results include identification of areas with relatively high and low concentrations of stray cats. ► Insights on the relationship between stray cat density and social factors was derived.

Chapter 4. Feral globetrotters

Koch, K., Algar, D., & Schwenk, K. (2014). Feral Cat Globetrotters: genetic traces of historic human-mediated dispersal and recent gene flow. Genetic diversity and phylogeography of Australian feral cats, 78.

Endemic species on islands are highly susceptible to local extinction if they are exposed to invasive species. In particular invasive predators, such as feral cats have been introduced to islands around the world, causing major losses in local biodiversity. However, control and management of invasive species depends on information about the source populations and the level of current gene flow. Here we investigate the origin of feral cats of Hawaiian and Australian islands to verify their European ancestry and a potential pattern of isolation by distance. We analysed the genetic structure and diversity of feral cats from eleven islands as well as samples from Malaysia and Europe using mitochondrial DNA (ND5 and ND6 region) and microsatellite data. Our results suggest that Hawaiian cats originate from Europe and overall no pattern of isolation by distance was detected. Instead we found low levels of genetic differentiation between samples from Tasman Island, Lana’i, Kaho’olawe, Cocos (Keeling) Island and Asia. Since these populations are separated by up to 10,000 kilometres, we assume that this pattern is explained by extensive passive dispersal on global maritime trade routes in the beginning of the 19th century, connecting Australian, Asian and Hawaiian Islands. Thus, islands populations which are characterized by low levels of current gene flow represent valuable sources of information on historical, human-mediated global dispersal patterns of feral cats

Capter 3: A voyage to Terra Australis

Koch, K., Algar, D., Searle, J., Pfenninger, M., & Schwenk, K. (2014). A voyage to Terra Australis: human-mediated dispersal of cats. Genetic diversity and phylogeography of Australian feral cats, 56.

Domestic and ship cats have been transported as human commensals around the world, especially in the last 200 years. They have given rise to populations of feral cats in many places. The feral population in Australia is believed to have led to the decline and extinction of native mammal species, but until now the time and origin of the cat introduction into Australia is unclear. Here we investigate the history of arrival of cats to Australia, considering the possibility that this was pre- or post-European settlement, and the potential for admixture. We analyse the genetic structure and diversity of feral cats from six locations on mainland Australia and seven offshore islands as well as samples from Malaysia and Europe using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA data. Our data suggest that cats in Australia originated from Europe with possible isolated cases of invasions from Asian locations. We find low genetic differentiation between samples from Dirk Hartog Island, Flinders Island, Tasman Island and Cocos (Keeling) Island (Australian Indian Ocean Territory). Historical records suggest that introduction of cats to these islands occurred at the time of exploration and in connection with the pearling, whaling and sealing trades at the beginning of the 19th century. On-going influx of domestic cats into the feral cat population is causing the Australian mainland populations to be genetically differentiated from those on Dirk Hartog, Tasman and Flinders Islands, which exhibit remnants of the historically introduced cat genotypes.

Genetic diversity and phylogeography of Australian feral cats

Koch, K. 2014. Genetic diversity and phylogeography of Australian feral cats. Accepted Dissertation thesis for the partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Doctoral of Natural Sciences. Universität Koblenz-Landau

Biodiversity is not only threatened by habitat loss, climate change and pollution, but also by invasive species. The impact of introduced species is immense and causes substantial ecological and economical costs worldwide. With the start of domestications of the African wildcat (Felis lybica) in the Near East, the transport of house cats (Felis catus) around the world as a commensal and domesticate began. The general aim of my thesis was to investigate the impact of invasive feral cats on native species as well as underlying population genetic structures, diversity and phylogeography. This was studied in the context of the demographic history in Australia and Hawai’i. My studies confirmed that the main introductions of cats to Australia began in the 19th century via ships of European settlers, traders and workers. Similarly, I was able to confirm cat introductions to Hawai’i by European traders and explorers; which has to the present a devastating effect on Hawaiian endemic species. Likewise, cats are widespread across Australia, can be found on most islands and are recognized as one of the major threats to Australian native species. A selective feeding behaviour by invasive predators was found in one of my studies. This study additionally gives an indication for possible population recovery of small Western Australian vertebrate species after predator removal. Advancement and the combination of various management techniques allow, if adequately funded, a more efficient planning and implementation of eradication campaigns. Population genetic approaches are able to give insights into population genetic structure, diversity and kinship, thereby enabling management campaigns to be more cost effective and successful. No pattern of isolation by distance between populations of Hawai’i and Australia indicated that trade routes, such as the ‘Golden Round’ of the maritime fur trade, facilitated a link between far off global cat populations. Multiple introductions to Australia and intermixing with domestic breed cats resulted in feral cat populations which show no signs of reduced genetic variability. My studies also revealed the advantages of bioproxies in combination with phylogeography, which enable the inference and reconstruction of introduction routes, history and origin of invasive species. Genetic signals of historically introduced genotypes are still discernible on islands with low number of introductions over time and thereby low intermixing with domestic fancy breeds. Feral cats’ adaptability as an invader was reconfirmed and possible underlying genetic mechanisms enabling their success as a global invader (‘global supercat’) are discussed. Research into the feralisation process of cats will provide new information regarding the domestication of cats, the genetic basis of feralisation and allow additional insights into cats’ adaptive potential.

Antiquity of dog introduction on California's Channel Islands

Rick, T. C., Walker, P. L., Willis, L. M., Noah, A. C., Erlandson, J. M., Vellanoweth, R. L., Braje, T.J. & Kennett, D. J. (2008). Dogs, humans and island ecosystems: the distribution, antiquity and ecology of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) on California's Channel Islands, USA. The Holocene, 18(7), 1077-1087.

Archaeologists have made significant contributions to our understanding of ancient island environments, including the timing and implications of the introduction of non-native animals (pigs, chickens, rats, etc.) by humans.
Here, we focus on the historical ecology and biogeography of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) on California's Channel Islands during the Holocene. Dogs are the only animal known unequivocally to have been introduced by Native Americans to the islands, but relatively little is known about their distribution, antiquity or influence on native island fauna and flora. We identified a minimum of 96 dogs from 42 archaeological sites on six of the eight islands. Dogs were present for at least 6000 years and appear to have increased in abundance through time. Our analysis suggests that dogs, along with humans and island foxes (Urocyon littoralis), would have had an impact on native animals and ecosystems, especially breeding birds and marine mammals. Dogs and island foxes likely competed with one another for food, however, and the impacts of dogs on island ecosystems may have been reduced by the presence of island foxes and the symbiotic relationship between dogs and humans. Dogs have been removed from all but one of the islands today, eliminating one of the few terrestrial carnivores present for most of the Holocene.

Feral cat in UK

From GWCT

Legislation

Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002
Animal Welfare Act 2006
Welfare of Animals Act Northern Ireland 2011
Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 
Hunting Act 2004
Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006
Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011

Distribution and abundance

Feral cats are most conspicuous in areas of urban development, but also occur widely in the countryside. They have been introduced to many offshore islands to control rats and rabbits. The scarcity of mapped records outside urban areas probably reflects the difficulty in separating feral from dependent domestic cats.

Estimates of feral cat abundance (numbers of individuals in the spring) across the UK, from Harriset al. (1995):

United Kingdom	813,000
England	625,000
Scotland	130,000
Wales	58,000
N Ireland	no estimate

Recent trends from the National Gamebag Census