Posted on 02/14/2010 11:27:58 AM PST by JoeProBono
The tiger may be more ancient and distinct than we thought. Tigers are less closely related to lions, leopards and jaguars than these other big cats are to each other, according to a new comprehensive study. The genetic analysis also reveals the tiger began evolving 3.2 million years ago, and its closest living relative is the equally endangered snow leopard.
The discovery comes as the BBC launches a collection of intimate videos of wild tigers and the threats they face. Despite the popularity and endangered status of tigers, much remains to be discovered about them, including how they evolved. It has long been known that the five species of big cat, the tiger, lion, leopard, jaguar and snow leopard, which belong to the Panthera genus, and the two species of clouded leopard, are more closely related to each other than to other smaller cats.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
But are they cheaters?
For a second I thought this was about MacOS.
That must be the X chromosome.
Where do the cougars fit in?
Nice kitty!
beautiful cats as long as your not their dinner...I saw a clouded leopard in a zoo out west years ago...I think it was in colorado...another beautiful sub species...To me all the big cats are beautiful except Lions....don’t know why but to me they are fuguly..TY for the new wallpaper, just lost the Angora and got a beautiful cat..
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Thanks JoeProBono. |
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