ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION - A - THE TIGER (Panthera tigris)

[peter]

COPTERS

Interesting observations. Can you describe every group (ground colour, stripes and pattern, prey animals, habits regarding humans and size)? If too complicated, you can try to describe the differences between the groups.

Recent (genetic) research suggests there could have been 2 waves in the past: one directed to mainland India and a later wave moving west just south of the Himalayas. Tigers in central and southern India seem to be somewhat darker. Stripes also darker and a bit more dense. In the 19th century, hunters thought so-called 'Bengal tigers' were longer, whereas those in central India were generally more robust and somewhat bigger. Pocock and a few others underlined this observation in that they concluded that skulls from central parts of India, although generally a bit shorter, often were relatively wider and more robust. Man-eaters were more common in central India as well. In general, hunters thought that they were more aggressive regarding humans. 

Reliable info on size, however, suggests that tigers shot in northern and northwestern India and Nepal in the 20th century were taller, longer and heavier (averages). They apparently also quickly overtook central Indian tigers in the departments of aggression and man-eating.

The second wave is of interest in particular. The reason is Caspian tigers. Although research suggests that Caspian tigers are closely related to Amur tigers, a wave from northwestern India into Pakistan, Afghanistan and further west can't be excluded. When they can survive in Bhutan, tigers in the recent past (10 000 - 15 000 years ago) should have been able to cross ranges of up to 15 000 feet, possibly even even a bit more. Based on what I have, I concluded there could have been different subpopulations in the Caspian region. Those in the southwestern part could have been different from those in the northeastern part.


ALL

Anyone interested in the issues discussed is invited to participate in the debate. It is about the answers to 4 questions:

1 - Are tigers in mainland India different from those just south of the Himalayas and, if so, in what respects? 

2 - Are there differences between regions in mainland India, or are tigers in India more or less similar?

3 - Would tigers living in the southern part of the Himalayas have been able to cross this range some, say, 10 000 years ago? Tell us why you got to your answer. 

4 - Do Amur tigers and Himalayan tigers compare or not? If yes, in which respects? And what about the differences? Reply