Gene Frequencies and Body Weights of Feral Cats, Felis catus (L.), from Five Australian Localities and from Macquarie Island

Abstract

Frequencies of seven pelage-related genes and a coefficient of darkness were scored on groups of feral cats collected from five localities in south-eastern Australia and from Macquarie Island. There were significant differences in the frequencies of some of these genes and the coefficient of darkness between the various groups of cats. These differences were presumed to have been caused by the combined effects of natural selection, gene flow from surrounding domestic populations, and the founder effect. Significant differences in body weights of cats between some localities and for one coat colour allele were also found.