Identification of wild cat (Felis lybica) by morphometric traits and Challenges facing conservation of the species in Iran

Abstract

Introduction:Wildcat (Felis lybica) is one of the most common cats in the Felidae family that has a potential and distinct threat from other cats, i.e. crossbreeding with domestic cat. This has made it difficult to identify pure wildcats in the wild, and then this species is
facing many challenges in the relation of conservation programs.
Materials &Methods: In current study using photos of possible wildcats from 2015-2017 together with results of genetic studies about wildcat in the previous research, morphological characteristics for identification of wildcat and domestic cat were studied and distribution map of samples was pictured in ArcGIS 10.3.
Result: Using the sample images that we had in this study, it was not possible to distinguish wild specimens from domestics by giving protocols, since our images did not cover all the morphological features for separation. Only in one case, the pattern of the specimen's fur clearly demonstrated this sample is domestic cat, but in other cases we are not able to confidently distinguish the wild specimen from the domestic ones.
Conclusion: We know very little about wildcat and its ecological characteristics in Iran, Therefore, a systematic study of wildcat in large protected areas, away from residential centers is necessary to achieve some of the ecological characteristics of the species. It is also strongly recommended to follow the instructions that can be used in nature to identify Asiatic wildcat using fur features.