Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project

[chaos]

(12-12-2014, 05:16 AM)'Siegfried' Wrote: I am not exactly sure what you two keep arguing about. 

Is it whether or not Panthera leo persica is native to India? 

Earlier in this thread I said that species origination is not necessarily the same as species nativity.  There is naturally occurring migration. 

It could be argued that jaguars are not native to South America being that the ancestors of modern jaguars came down from North America to their current range.  Previous to that, their ancestors crossed the Bering land bridge which connected Asia to North America.   

Or, are you guys arguing the success of the asiatic lion as a subspecies?  If you look at their historical range compared to what it is now, you certainly wouldn't be wrong to say that they are not doing so great.

However, based on the recent growth of the population and its expansion to areas outside of the Gir Sanctuary, the subspecies would be considered to be doing very well... for the time being that is... despite the genetic bottleneck. 

Is there a disagreement as to whether or not there is enough genetic dissimilarity between the Asian population and their cousins in Africa to constitute their status as a subspecies? 

Or is it that you are just arguing???

 

~~Is it whether or not Panthera leo persica is native to India?

No. Its the claim he made that lions didn't adapt as well to the Indian terrain as did tigers.
Overhunting and inbreeding are the main culprits in the status of todays Indian lion.
See post #8 and subsequent posts to bring into focus Reply