Concern over the fragmentation of tiger habitat
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The study published in journal of Molecular Biology and Evolution published on February 16 suggests that there is inbreeding among Indian tigers, which is a result of isolated populations due to habitat loss. The study published in journal of Molecular Biology and Evolution published on February 16 suggests that these four tiger subspecies are genetically distinct but there is inbreeding among Indian tigers, which is a result of isolated populations due to habitat loss. “What the paper points out is that although Indian tigers as a whole (all Indian tigers looked at in this study) have the highest amount of variation compared to any other subspecies, some Indian tigers do show signs of possible inbreeding or founding events (loss of genetic variation). We do not see this, by comparison, in the Russian far east or Amur tigers. They have very low variation, but individuals do not appear to be inbred,” explained Uma Ramakrishnan, co-senior and co-corresponding author, NCBS. Another co-author from India is YV Jhala, Wildlife Institute of India’s faculty of wildlife science dean. See more on this interesting study by following the link below.