| Project/Area Number |
63041100
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for international Scientific Research
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | Field Research |
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| Research Institution | Kyushu University |
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Principal Investigator |
ONO Yuiti Kyushu University, Faculty of Science, Professor, 理学部, 教授 (60037166)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
IZAWA Masako Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History, Curator, 学芸員 (10192478)
IWAMOTO Toshitaka Miyazaki University, Faculty of Education, Associate professor, 教育学部, 助教授 (40094073)
DOI Teruo Kyushu University, Faculty of Science, Research associate, 理学部, 助手 (80091247)
NEWSOME Alan CSIRO, Wildlife and Ecology Division, Senior Principal Research Scientist, 野生生物生態部門, 主任研究員
KIKKAWA Jiro Queensland University, Department of Zoology, Professor, 動物学教室, 教授
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| Project Period (FY) |
1988 – 1990
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| Project Status |
Completed (Fiscal Year 1990)
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| Budget Amount *help |
¥19,400,000 (Direct Cost: ¥19,400,000)
Fiscal Year 1990: ¥1,600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000)
Fiscal Year 1989: ¥7,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥7,000,000)
Fiscal Year 1988: ¥10,800,000 (Direct Cost: ¥10,800,000)
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| Keywords | Feral cat / Socio-ecology / Flexibility of social system / Resource availability / Rabbits / Disturbance to Australian endemic fauna |
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| Research Abstract |
The Japanese team has been interested in the origin and evolution of the social system of carnivorous mammals which have originated in forest habitats, and have been investigating several species of Felidae. The basic social unit and its maintenance mechanism which underlies the social system of the feral cat, Felis catus, have been clarified. Flexibility of such systems has also been clarified with respect to resource availability. As a second step, the social systems of wild felids, the Iriomote cat, Felis iriomotensis and the Tushima leopard cad, Felis bengalensis euptilura are being investigated.
In Japan, the feral cats which we have studied on the ecology and social system are considerably dependent on human life, so that they may do well under feral conditions. In this study, we intend to elucidate habitat utilization and the social system of the feral cats which live under natural conditions and are independent of human society. They will be expected to have a life style similar to that of wild cats.
In Australia, the feral cats are widespread over the whole continent. They have several conspicuous characteristics : their distribution is not limited to the urban and suburban areas, agricultural districts and their environs, but extends over forest areas and the desert areas. The feral cats in forest areas obtain their food mainly by hunting, especially on reptiles, birds and small mammals, so that their severe predation pressure is considered to be an important factor in the conservation and management of the Australian native fauna. Additionally, the feral cats living in a desert area are onsidered unique in their habits as they are not known from this habitat in other countries. A greater variation in the life style and social system based on their ability to adapt to the extreme conditions is expected there.
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