Wild cats (Mammalia, Carnivora) of Anatolia. With some observations on the former and present occurrence of leopards in southeastern Turkey and on the Greek island of Samos

Abstract

Several species of wild felids are still dispersed within the geographical borders of Anatolia. These include Felis silvestris, Schreber, 1777, Felis chaus Guedenstaedt, 1776, Caracal caracal (Schreber, 1776), Lynx lynx (L., 1758), Panthera pardus L., 1758, and possibly Panthera tigris (L., 1758). Up to the 19th century, also Panthera leo (L., 1758), and Acynonix jubatus Schreber, 1775, were reported from these territories. The present paper deals with the recent historical diffusion of these species in Turkey. It is based on a review of previous knowledge of Anatolian felids and their history, as well as on the examination of the available materials from museums and private collections. The evidence for the persistence of the Asia Minor leopard, P.p. tuliana (Valenciennes, 1856), recently reported from western Turkey and its former occasional occurrence on the island of Samos (Greece) are also discussed.