🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Heterozygosity levels are commonly used to measure genetic health in wildlife populations.
Modern genomic analyses indicate that the South China tiger exhibits markedly reduced genetic variation compared to healthier tiger populations. Genetic diversity is essential for adaptability, disease resistance, and reproductive success. Severe bottlenecks in the mid-20th century drastically narrowed its gene pool. With all surviving individuals descending from a handful of founders, many alleles were permanently lost. Whole-genome comparisons show diminished heterozygosity levels. This reduction limits evolutionary flexibility under environmental change. DNA itself now reflects the intensity of past decline.
💥 Impact (click to read)
Low genetic variation reduces a population’s capacity to adapt to shifting climates, emerging pathogens, or habitat alterations. In large populations, genetic redundancy provides resilience. In small populations, harmful mutations can accumulate unchecked. The South China tiger’s genomic profile reveals vulnerability beneath visible recovery efforts. Numbers alone cannot restore lost alleles.
Genomic monitoring has become central to its conservation strategy. Managing pairings to preserve remaining diversity represents a race against further erosion. Once genetic variation disappears, it cannot be recreated. The subspecies’ long-term survival therefore depends on preserving what little evolutionary potential remains. Its genome tells a cautionary story of contraction.
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