The Tsushima leopard cat exhibits extremely low genetic diversity compared with the Korean Amur leopard cat: Implications for conservation.

ABSTRACT: We examined genetic diversity of the wild Tsushima leopard cat-a regional population of the Amur leopard cat-using microsatellite markers. In addition, we compared genetic diversity of the Tsushima leopard cat with that of the Korean population of Amur leopard cat. Although bias should be considered when applying cross-species amplification, the Tsushima leopard cat showed a lower index of molecular genetic diversity than did the Korean population. These results were consistent with those obtained using other genetic markers, such as mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome sequences. This low genetic diversity of the wild Tsushima leopard cat may be derived from the founding population. Furthermore, our results suggest that the captive populations held in Japanese zoos may show extremely low ge

SUBMITTER: Ito H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6637929 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature