Craniological differentiation among European, African, and Asian wildcats

This morphological study measured wildcat skulls to test whether the European, African, and Asian wildcat groups differ consistently in cranial form. Analyzing museum specimens, the authors found that European wildcats, African wildcats, and Asian wildcats can be distinguished craniometrically, supporting their recognition as differentiated forms within the Felis silvestris complex. The work provided an anatomical complement to the molecular phylogeography of wildcats and informed debates about whether these groups are subspecies or separate species. It also bears on conservation, since distinguishing native wildcats from domestic cats and hybrids depends partly on skull characters. The study exemplifies how careful morphometrics contributes to felid taxonomy, documenting real differences among geographic forms that genetics independently corroborated, and underpinning later decisions about wildcat classification.