Understanding big cats through a genetic lens

Large carnivores such as tigers (and other big cats) exist in small populations, several of which are also isolated. Such small and isolated populations have high chances of going extinction than species that exist in larger, connected populations.

Over the past two decades, we have been trying to understand tiger populations using genetic tools. We have described the genetic units or 'populations', and identified larger, connected landscapes, and small, isolated populations.

In these small and isolated populations, we have demonstrated the effects of genetic drift, and its impact on a rare phenotype, the black tiger in Odisha. We have also established inbreeding in the charismatic Rajasthan tigers.

I will discuss past work, but also show some ongoing work on tiger pedigrees, Asian lions, and discuss how future conservation efforts can be informed by genetic insights on big cats.