TIGER SUB-SPECIES

Oct. 26, 2018

A recent study published by a team of researchers in the journal Current Biology has confirmed that tigers fall into six genetically distinct groups.

About:

  • Till now, scientists had been uncertain whether there are six, five or only two subspecies of tigers.

  • Now, a team of researchers has confirmed that tigers fall into six genetically distinct groups. The six subspecies are: (1) Bengal tiger, (2) Amur tiger, (3) South China tiger, (4) Sumatran tiger, (5) Indochinese tiger, and (6) Malayan tiger.

  • Three other tiger subspecies have already been lost to extinction. These are: (1) Caspian tiger, (2) Javan tiger, and (3) Bali tigers.

  • The findings are based on an analysis of the complete genomes of 32 representative tiger specimens.

  • Habitat loss and poaching continue to threaten the survival of tigers, of which just 4,000 specimens remain in the wild.

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