Geoffroys Cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) Classification

Abstract: The proper design of enclosures for wild animals is essential to promote the expression of their behavioral needs, providing opportunities for choice and control over their environment, which improves their quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate and propose improvements in the design of the enclosure of a specimen of Leopardus geoffroyi in captivity, in order to promote its welfare.

Direct observations were made by ad libitum sampling to elaborate the ethogram and focal sampling to obtain the behavioral budget. In addition, the use of the space was analyzed with the modified Spread of Participation Index and the quality of the venue with the environmental indicators of the Ackonc-AWA protocol.

The results showed low levels of locomotion and exploration, and a preference for the upper part of the enclosure, suggesting structural limitations. The environmental assessment indicated serious deficiencies in 79% of the indicators and minor deficiencies in 14%.

The combined use of these methodologies made it possible to identify key problems and propose an enclosure design, external (exhibition) and internal (handling), conditioned to the needs of the animal. It is recommended to continue evaluating the impact of the changes to ensure improvements in the well-being. This methodology could be applied to other species under human care.

Lauria, Marcia & Corte, Sylvia & Racciatti, Débora. (2025). EVALUACION Y DISENO DE RECINTOS CENTRADOS EN EL BIENESTAR ANIMAL: ESTUDIO DE CASO EN Leopardus geoffroyi. Boletín de la Sociedad Zoológica del Uruguay. 34. 2025. 10.26462/34.1.17.

Felids are among the species most threatened by habitat fragmentation resulting from land-use change. In the Uruguayan Savanna ecoregion, about 30% of natural habitats have been lost, large felids have been eradicated from most of the region, and the impact of anthropogenic threats over the smaller species that remain is unknown. To develop management strategies, it is important to enhance knowledge about species population structure and landscape connectivity, particularly when land-use change will continue and intensify in the next years.

In this study, we evaluate the population structure and gene flow of Geoffroy's cat in the Uruguayan Savanna ecoregion. We generated a matrix of 11 microsatellite loci for 70 individuals.

Based on Bayesian approaches we found that within the Uruguayan Savanna, Geoffroy's cat shows high levels of genetic variability and no population structure. However, we observed genetic differences between individuals from the Uruguayan Savanna and those from the contiguous ecoregion, the Argentinian Humid Pampa. Four first-generation migrants from Humid Pampa were identified in the Uruguayan Savanna, suggesting a stronger gene flow in the west-east direction. We detected a past bottleneck followed by a subsequent recovery in Geoffroy's cat populations in both ecoregions.

These results lay the groundwork to understand the population dynamics and conservation status of Geoffroy's cat in the Uruguayan Savanna ecoregion, and provide baseline data to establish population monitoring.

Bou, N.; Soutullo, A.; Hernandez, D.; Mannise, N.; Gonz lez, S.; Bartesaghi, L.; Pereira, J.; Merino, M.; Espinosa, C.; Trigo, T.C.; Cosse, M.
Population structure and gene flow of Geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) in the Uruguayan Savanna ecoregion
2021 Journal of Mammalogy (102): 879-890

Leopardus geoffroyi is a small feline with a widespread distribution in a broad array of habitats. Here we investigate its evolutionary history to characterize the phylogeographical patterns that led to its present distribution using mitochondrial DNA from 72 individuals collected throughout its entire range.

All haplotypes conformed to a monophyletic group, including two clades with a central/marginal disposition that is incongruent to the proposed subspecies. Spatial diffusion analysis showed the origin of the species within the oldest and more diverse central clade. A Bayesian Skyline Plot combined with a dispersal through time plot revealed two population increases at 190 000-170 000 and 45 000-35 000 years ago, the latter period accompanied by an increase in the dispersal rate. Species distribution models showed similar patterns between the present and Last Interglacial Period, and a reduction of high-probability areas during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM).

Molecular evidence confirms L. geoffroyi as a monotypic species whose origin is located in Central Argentina. The last glaciation had little effect on the pattern of distribution of the species: the population and range expansion that started before the LGM, although probably being halted, continued after the glaciation and resulted in the presence of this felid in the far south of Patagonia.

Gomez Fernandez, M.J.; Fameli, A.; Gomez, J.R.; Pereira, J.A.; Mirol, P.
Phylogeographical spatial diffusion analysis reveals the journey of Geoffroy's cat through the Quaternary glaciations of South America
2020  Biological Journal of the Linnean Society (129): 603-617

Geoffroy's cat is a small Neotropical felid, seemingly abundant throughout most of its range and exhibiting considerable ecological plasticity. In Brazil, the species is restricted to the Pampas, one of the most threatened biomes in the country, where information on its ecology is scarce. Here we report the first assessments of its density, habitat selection, and activity patterns in Brazil.

The study was conducted in human-dominated landscape at the extreme south of the country. Using Spatially Explicit Capture Recapture (SECR) analyses, the estimated population density ranged from 34.54 (±13.51 SE), based on camera trap and radio-telemetry data, to 41.78 (±16.12 SE) individuals/100 km2, based only on camera trap data.

A Resource Selection Function (RSF) analysis showed that our study population selected sites with native forest and rivers, and avoided areas close to roads, which probably implies avoidance of human contact.

Although we observed a slight increase in its nocturnal activity during spring-summer with respect to fall-winter, this population was predominantly nocturnal throughout the year.

The use of grasslands and croplands (non-protected areas) was non-uniformly distributed through the hours of the day, whereas native forest was used more uniformly.

Tirelli, F.P.; Mazim, F.D.; Crawshaw Jr., P.G.; Albano, A.P.; Espinosa, C.; Queirolo, D.; Lopes Rocha, F.; Soares, J.B.; Trigo, T.C.; MacDonald, D.W.; Lucherini, M.; Eizirik, E.
Density and spatio-temporal behaviour of Geoffroy's cats in a human-dominated landscape of southern Brazil
2019  Mammalian Biology (99): 128-135

We report data on the spatial ecology and habitat selection of eight adult Geoffroy's cat Leopardus geoffroyi (five males and three females) that were radiotracked in an area of the central Argentine Espinal.

Mean home range size varied from 2.2 ± 1.9 km2 (Kernel95%) to 2.8 ± 2.4 km2 (MCP100%), with male home ranges 4.1 larger than those of females. Core areas (Kernel50%) averaged 0.7 ± 0.7 km2 and were 3 times smaller for females. Daily movement patterns were consistent with the variations in home range sizes being greater in males (590.2 m ± 476.6) than females (413.5 m ± 288.1). Home range overlap averaged 38%, and was highly variable between males and females and reached its highest value for intersexual pairs.

At second-order resolution, most of individuals had a strong selection for open woodland, while the other habitats were generally avoided. At the home range level, although the electivity index values for the open woodland were positive for all animals, habitat selection showed a high inter-individual variation.

Our data support previous studies that suggest that Geoffroy's cats show a certain degree of flexibility in their spatial behavior. Finally, we argue that natural woodland patches or habitats with dense vegetation are important for L. geoffroyi in the Argentinean Espinal and their alteration can affect the conservation status of this cat.

Castillo, D.F.; Vidal, E.M.L.; Caruso, N.C.; Manfredi, C.; Lucherini, M.; Casanave, E.B.
Spatial organization and habitat selection of Geoffroy's cat in the Espinal of central Argentina
2019  Mammalian Biology (94): 30-37