Hybridization between Felis silvestris silvestris and Felis silvestris catus in two contrasted environments in France

European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) populations are fragmented throughout most of the whole range of the sub-species, and may be threatened by hybridization with the domestic cat F.s. catus. The underlying ecological processes promoting hybridization, remain largely unknown. In France, wildcats are mainly present in the North-East and signs of their presence in the Pyrenees have been recently provided. However, no studies have been carried out in the French Pyrenees to assess their exposure to hybridization. We compared two local populations of wildcats, one living in a continuous forest habitat in the French Pyrenees, the other living in a highly fragmented forest-agricultural landscape in Northeastern France to get insights into the variability of hybridization rates. Strong evidence of hybridization was detected in Northeastern France and not in the Pyrenees. Close kin in the Pyrenees were not found in the same geographic location contrary to what was previously reported ...