Felis silvestris | UAE National Red List of Mammals: Marine and Terrestrial

Taxa
Felis silvestris | Schreber, 1777
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Off
Scope (Assessment)
National
Taxon
Taxonomic Group
Vertebrates
Taxonomic Group Level 2
Mammals
Assessed taxon level
Species
Taxonomic Notes
There is currently no clear agreement on how to relate geographically linked variation in morphology and genetics to the taxonomy and systematics of the widely distributed Wildcat (Felis silvestris) (Kitchener and Rees 2009). The latest phylogeographical analyses (Driscoll et al. 2007, 2009; Macdonald et al. 2010) suggest that the Wildcat consists of five subspecific groups and three traditional subspecies (Nowell and Jackson 1996, Stuart et al. 2013): including the recent recognition of the Southern African Wildcat (F. s. cafra Desmarest, 1822). Based on genetic, morphological and archaeological evidence, the familiar housecat was believed to have been domesticated from the Near Eastern Wildcat (F. s. lybica), probably 9,000-“10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region (Vigne et al. 2004, Driscoll et al. 2007), coinciding with the first agricultural settlements (Driscoll et al. 2007, Macdonald et al. 2010). Although the domestic cat derived relatively recently from the Wildcat, in terms of biological processes and phylogeny, it can be taxonomically classified either as a subspecies (F. s. catus) of F. silvestris or as a separate species (F. catus) (Macdonald et al. 2010). Recent evidence supports the classification of domestic cats as genetically distinct from Wildcats (Driscoll et al. 2007). For the purposes of this assessment, although we recognise the potential validity of the Southern African Wildcat (F. s. cafra), we defer to the species level until further research can accurately delineate subspecific geographical boundaries.
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species is widely distributed in the UAE except in areas of sand dunes, but establishing details of the distribution is complicated by the presence of feral domestic cats and hybrids. Animals identified on the basis of phenotype have been recorded in Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Wadi Wurayah (camera-trapped in 2012 and 2015; Judas 2016), Hatta Conservation Area (camera-trapped in 2017; G. Feulner pers. comm.), Khor Kalba, and Jebel Hafeet (2017/2018). There are no recent records from surveys in the Abu Dhabi desert. Globally, the Wild Cat has a very broad distribution throughout most of Africa, Europe, and southwest and Central Asia, eastwards to India, China, and Mongolia (Yamaguchi et al. 2015). It was formerly widespread in the Arabian Peninsula but the current status and distribution are unclear due to the presence of many hybrids or feral cats (Mallon and Budd 1991).
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
Wild Cats occur in semi-desert, open plains, rocky terrain and mountain wadis, but are not found in the dunes and true desert areas (Harrison and Bates 1991, Aspinall et al. 2005). A male and female were radio-collared and tracked in the desert of Sharjah for 4 and 14 months respectively. The female had a home range of 51 km<sup>2</sup> and 42 den sites were recorded, many of them used repeatedly (Phelan and Sliwa 2005, 2006).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Endangered
Assessment status abreviation
EN
Assessment status criteria
C2a(ii)
Assessment rationale/justification
This species is widely distributed in the UAE except in areas of sand dunes. It is very difficult to distinguish genuine wild animals from hybrids, but using records based on phenotypic appearance, the population size appears to be fairly small and probably in the range of 250-2,500 mature individuals. The species is undergoing continuing decline because of hybridisation with domestic cats, there is also some persecution, and loss of habitat to developments, and the species therefore qualifies for listing as Endangered (EN C2a(ii)). There is unlikely to be a significant rescue effect as the species is widely scattered and declining across the Arabian Peninsula and the borders are mostly fenced, except in higher parts of the mountains, which may impede or prevent cross-border movements.
About the assessment
Assessment year
2018
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Affliation of assessor(s)/contributors/reviewers listed on assessment
Government
IGO
Assessor affiliation specific
Government|IGO
Criteria system
Criteria system specifics
IUCN v3.1
Criteria system used
IUCN
Criteria Citation
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Endemism
Endemic to region
Not_assigned
Endemism Notes
Is an endemic?: Not_assigned
Conservation
Threats listed in assessment
The major threat is hybridisation with feral and free-ranging domestic cats which are now widespread. Disease transfer from domestic cats is also a potential risk (Mallon and Budd 2011). Direct and indirect persecution also occurs, e.g. a burrow was found sealed and the Wild Cat inside suffocated by smoke (Phelan and Sliwa 2005, 2006). Overgrazing in some sites may have reduced vegetation cover and thereby the abundance of small mammals and other prey.
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Further information
History
It is not clear what criteria would have been used in 1996 (Hornby 1996), but likely to have been assessed under criteria different than those currently applied by IUCN.
Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Felis silvestris Animalia Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Felidae Felis