CPREEC - EIACP Programme Centre, Resource Partner on Ecological Heritage and Sacred Sites of India

by Anusha Krishnan

• Molecular studies have confirmed that there are at least four tiger subspecies that are genetically distinct and that each may require unique conservation strategies.

• Though Indian tigers have the most genetic diversity, they also show population sub-structuring and signs of recent inbreeding.

• In Simlipal, Odisha, a unique genetic mutation affecting the patterns on tiger coats, giving rise to the ‘black tiger’, has been found to occur at a high frequency in this region’s small and isolated tiger population.

• Overall, these data indicate that genomic perspectives are necessary for managerial decisions regarding tiger conservation efforts.

Source:

https://india.mongabay.com/2021/10/why-tiger-conservation-efforts-need-genetic-data/