Published: 22nd Sep, 2021
Context
A group of researchers has discovered the genetic mutation that caused pseudomelanism in a limited number of tigers found only in the fourth largest tiger habitat in the country.
The rare Black Tiger
- The rare tigers were first officially discovered in STR in 2007. Since then it has been a mystery.
- These Odisha tigers essentially have stripes that are larger than found in other tigers.
- And, these stripes merge among one another, causing the tigers to appear as though they have black-coloured skin.
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Key-findings
- They found the black tigers are mutants and are Bengal tigers with a single base mutation in the gene Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep).
- Different mutations in this gene are known to cause similar changes in coat colour in several other species of cats, including cheetahs.
- The drastic change in patterning and colouring of the black tiger's coat is caused by just one change in the genetic material DNA Alphabet from C (Cytosine) to T (Thymine) in position 1360 of the Taqpep gene sequence.
- Further genetic analyses and comparisons with a total of 395 captive and wild Indian tiger populations indicates that the mutation in Similipal tigers is very rare.
- The only other black tigers outside of Similipal in India exist at the
- Nandankanan Biological Park, Bhubaneswar
- Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai
- Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, Ranchi
- Genetic tracing proved that these captive-born tigers shared a common ancestry with Similipal tigers.
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Simlipal National Park
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