There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
(06-26-2015, 06:21 AM)'GrizzlyClaws' Wrote: According to the recent phylogenetic classification for the tiger subspecies, Amur and Bengal might not even consider as two different subspecies, but rather two different clades within a same subspecies known as the Mainland tiger.
They are just as different as the South African lion and East African lion, and given that Bengal to live in the colder climate, they would also develop the fluffy coat like the Amur tiger.
The tone about "Bengal's gene pool being polluted by Amur" is a bit too heavy, since we cannot say that the Serengeti lion's gene pool would be polluted if they mix with the Kruger lion.
Technically they have 2 different DNA strands, so they are different genes. Thats why you are able to distinguish the two, but in terms of "polluting" or not, that is unknnown since we don't know what the amount of time is needed to start evolutionary changes from area to area. I think over time, you could drop a amur in india and its blood line would eventually turn back into bengal. But who knows how long it would take.
Thats just a theory obviously
DNA samples of Bengal tigers polluted by genes of the Siberian Tiger
