Crossword Genius

Found here and there, as desert cat is (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scattered

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'found here and there' is the definition.
(dispersed into various places)

'desert cat is' is the wordplay.
'desert cat' anagrams to 'SCATTERED'.
Though, I am unsure how this is indicated.

'as' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for scattered that I've seen before include "Sent off in different directions" , "Deter cast (anag)" , "Broadcast" , "Occasional" , "Distributed at random" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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