GENETIC DIVERSITY OF THE AMUR TIGER (<i>PANTHERA TIGRIS ALTAICA</i>): ARE THERE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 20 AND THE BEGINNING OF THE 21 CENTURIES?

Abstract

The polymorphism of 9 microsatellite loci of the Sikhote-Alin tiger population in the modern and recent historical period was analyzed using blood, excrement, and museum bone samples. Tests for a population going through a period of low abundance in the analysis of excess heterozygotes and a low value of the Garza-Williamson coefficient indicate a high probability of such events in the recent and historical past. The mean effective population size Ne for the current sample was 34.4 (95% range 17–106.8). This fact is of great interest for the conservation and restoration of endangered large cat species.