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

[peter]

(04-23-2018, 05:57 AM)Richardrli Wrote: The fossil lions are in North America and Europe/Russia, which are more accessible to first world countries with dedicated researchers, while tiger fossils are in humid tropical and sub-tropical Asia with developing countries trying to catch up. Their researchers need assistance from the West so it's no surprise that we see a lot more output on fossil lions than fossil tigers. But, hopefully we are seeing more and more information on tigers than before, and this trend should continue into the future.

V. Mazak and the one he inspired, J.H. Mazak, did a lot of work. V. Mazak, P. van Bree and C. Groves wrote a paper on Bali tiger skulls quite some time ago. Christiansen published a few measurements of captive Amur tigers and so did a few students. The only one who distinguished between male and female and wild and captive is J.H. Mazak, but he too entered the log department not that long ago.

What is needed is a thorough overview distinguishing betweeen old (up to 1970) and recent; male and female; wild and captive, and age groups. A description with photographs would do. In a follow-up, the differences between old and new, male and female and captive and wild could be addressed. Additional information (length, weight, age and other details) would be much appreciated.

For some reason, biologists have neglected big cat size. It could be that the factors you mentioned resulted in a zero-priority policy, but a thorough description of (the development of) size (over time) as well as individual variation is, and should be, a vital part of any study. It also is important for those involved in conservation, evolution and genetics. How describe the evolution (and possible future) of a species if reliable information enabling just that is lacking or wanting, if not incorrect? Reply