In what groups we can divide the Bengal Tiger?

[Rishi]

(03-23-2017, 01:04 AM)peter Wrote: PANTHERA TIGRIS TIGRIS - REGIONAL DIFFERENCES 

a - Two subspecies only

Before we start on the differences between tigers living in different regions in India, we have to remember that biologists today distinguish between Mainland tigers and Sunda tigers only. The proposal developed by Pocock in 1929 (8 tiger subspecies), therefore, is out. This to prevent misunderstandings. 

b - Regional differences in India

I've been collecting information on morphology for quite some time now. At the moment, I'm developing a system to get the data to the right place. The question is if there is something like 'a right place' (regions) in India. In order to get to an answer, I went over everything I have. I got to 13 regions.  

c - Regions 

01 - Nepal and northern India.  

02 - Bhutan.

03 - Northeastern India (alluvial plains).

04 - The southeastern part of Assam.  

05 - Bengal.

06 - Sunderbans.

07 - Ranthambore.

08 - Northcentral India.

09 - Southcentral India.

10 - Eastern central India.

11 - Deccan.

12 - Southwestern India.

13 - Southeastern India (north and west of Madras).

d - Additional remarks

Ad 01 - Most tigers in this region live in wetlands or plains (Nepal in particular), but others do not. Both types seem to be somewhat different.
Ad 02 - Referring to the elevated parts of Bhutan.
Ad 03 - Most tigers in this region live in alluvial flood plains, but others inhabit elevated parts of the region.
Ad 04 - Tigers living in this part of Assam could belong to Panthera tigris corbetti. They are definitely different from those in the north.
Ad 05 - Bengal tigers are more or less gone, but there is a lot of information in old books.
Ad 06 - Sunderban tigers are very similar to tigers living in central parts of India, but smaller.
Ad 07 - Ranthambore tigers seem different from those in northern and central India.  
Ad 08 - There are distinct geographical differences between northern, southern and eastern parts of central India. 
Ad 09 - See 08.
Ad 10 - See 08.
Ad 11 - The Deccan is a plateau. Tigers seem a bit smaller than those in central and western parts.
Ad 12 - The Western Ghats can be divided into several distinct parts. Some of these produced large tigers. Others did not.
Ad 13 - Although tigers are largely gone in this region, they were described in old books written by hunters.   
       
e - To finish the post

- The distinction above is largely based on length and weight. There are more criteria. Anyone with good info is invited to post it in this thread.

- We could limit the number of regions. Anyone able to help out is invited to do so. 

- I was thinking of adding a good map of India, but couldn't find one. We need one with altitude, forest cover and human settlements.

Ok.. im sorry..but these are somewhat incorrect...
Visit here for forest & landuse cover..(ISRO's satellite remotesensing data, keep changing the name of the state & use that "landuse&landcover" button)
http://bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/state/WB

& here..(download)
https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source...ANE5Lb54EA

& here...(download)
https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source...owfDOI1sDg



1 & 2 are more or less legit..
Bengal consists of north Bengal (part of northeast landscape, tiger come from 2 Bhutan), Sundarbans & parts of Chhotanagpur plateau (which in turn is a part of deccan) to the west, no more tigers there for a while.

3&4 both should show Corbetti genes, more in East less in west..Detailed
 studies didn't take place, cant say..But they do, that was confirmed (Quote me for link)

7 is a part of Western india tiger landscape...(See latest posts in Bigcat news)..which is the Malwa plateau, that in turn is a part of Deccan..
Tigers there look similar to each other (large but lean & that typical not-so-impressive neck) because the population was choked by POACHING to 10-15 individuals...Twice, in early '80s & late '90s. 
Now they are 60 & populating Sariska & Kuno...But the whole genepool was sourced from less than a dozen animals. So, there's a lotta genetic overlap...(The parents of almost ALL Ranth tigers alive today, had Macchli ancestry, some from both parents's side, themselves! Most even look like her, EVERYONE of them are first,second or third cousins.  )
Notice how those days BambooRam, Nick, Xmale looked distinct..but Today t24 t34 t42 t28...etc.etc. All looks very similar of face & physique!!!..


8,9,10,11,13 are part of same landscape called Eastrn Ghat & Deccan Plateau (Read NTCA Booklets from link provided above) & Google "Deccan". There is very little difference in physical features & vegetation sfifts from evergreen to deciduous to dry-throny Northwest wards.

12 Consists of Western Ghats & Nilgiri Biosphere reserve...



To finish the post..........

There are absolutely no notable physical differences, other than that the tigers of the south WERE found to be slightly lighter & leaner (NOT smaller) on average. Read NTCA book for data on genetic intermixing!!!

Even Sundarban tigers were confirmed to be genetically similar to Central Indian tigers, just some local adaptations (quote me for link)...Same might be the case for Bhutan tigers (no largescale studies done). Reply