Why in News?
A tigress from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve was moved to Similipal Tiger Reserve to help diversify the local tiger gene pool and combat inbreeding.
Similipal has seen an increase in pseudo-melanistic (black) tigers, raising concerns about genetic diversity.
What are Pseudo-Melanistic Tigers?
Pseudo-melanistic tigers have a dark coat with white and orange stripes visible, resembling an inverted pattern compared to normal tigers.
Once considered mythical, their existence was confirmed through various sightings and evidence over the centuries, with the first modern evidence in the 1970s.
How do the Tigers Get Their Colours?
Their unique coloration is due to a mutation in the Taqpep gene, causing their stripes to widen and sometimes appear almost entirely black.
This genetic mutation is mostly found in the Similipal population, with very few instances in other wild or captive tiger populations.
Why are the Mutations More Common in Similipal?
The Similipal Tiger Reserve has a high concentration of tigers (27 out of 30 in Odisha), leading to higher inbreeding rates.
The isolation and small founding population increase the likelihood of the mutated gene being passed down, resulting in a high frequency of pseudo-melanistic tigers.
COMMENTS