Studying the DNA of Tigers

     Stephen O'Brien a researcher at Nova Southeastern University and his team have been looking at the genetic make-up of tigers.  The study has been ongoing for 10 years which will appear in print May 1, 2015.  The journal article will discuss DNA signatures from 145 individual tigers.  Also including tigers from verified geographic origins which represented extinct subspecies.
     In 2004 the studies first results displayed that the Malayan tigers were splitting from its Indochinese counterparts creating a distinct, new fifth-living tiger subspecies.  The teams most recent findings have found that the extinct Javan and Bali tigers were almost indistinguishable from a molecular view in comparison to the Sumatran tigers.  Just as the extinct Caspian tigers are almost identical to the surviving Amur tigers.  O'Brien states that the results are important because it will help manage and protect each surviving subspecies.  It will stabilize the rate of extinction that the tigers are on.  O'Brien also believes the discovery can be a powerful took to help with forensic identification of subspecies in captive populations.  Even taking a role in trafficked bone and skins in illegal trades.
    I am rather shocked at how long this research has been taking.  I would have assumed that this information was already known.  It is amazing to see how these finds using DNA can completely change the game of genetics and animal research.  Hopefully these findings will aid in the protection of the tigers and other endangered species currently.

Original Article