The feeding ecology of the European wildcat Felis silvestris Schreber, 1777 was studied by analysing 220 scats collected between January and December 1994 at Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve (Portugal). Feeding trials, carried out with a captive male and female, allowed the author to relate the dry excreted weight of prey items in the scats with the fresh biomass ingested. Rodents, particularly Apodemus silvaticus and Microtus lusitanicus, were the dominant component of the diet. Lagomorphs, mostly rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, were the second most heavily consumed item in terms of consumed biomass, being more preyed upon, in spring and summer. Although insectivores were regularly consumed throughout the year, this group only represented a small fraction of the total consumed biomass. Reptiles, especially species of Lacer- tidae, were the third most favoured quarry, with higher predator pressure in spring and summer. Bird remains were found at low levels throughout the year. Insects and plants were unimportant items in the diet. The wildcats feeding spectrum showed little variation throughout the year.
Presently, wildcatFelis silvestris silvestris Schreber, 1777 populations are fragmented and rapidly declining in most of Europe. Although habitat destruction possibly constitutes the most serious threat to wildcat survival, hybridisation with feral domestic cats is also a critical problem. However, the mechanisms that allow domestic cats to colonise former wild cat home ranges are yet unclear. The present paper describes the decrease of typical phenotypic wildcats and the increase of phenotypic domestic cats in a remote wild area of Portugal (Serra da Malcata). A field survey using box-traps and radio-tracking between 1998 and 2001 revealed that wildcats were widespread in the study area and no domestic cats were present. A second survey using camera traps between 2005 and 2007 revealed only one wildcat whereas four typical domestic phenotype individuals were photographed. The present study clearly emphasizes the need for urgent measures aimed at preserving wildcat populations. These measures should include a national census of the species and an extensive monitoring of genetic integrity of wildcat populations, followed by the elaboration of a wildcat conservation action plan.
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