Panthera Leo Persica Research Articles

Battle of the sexes: a multi-male mating strategy helps lionesses win the gender war of fitness

Abstract In species exhibiting infanticide by males, females lose out with high stakes and should adopt preemptive mechanisms, pitching the genders in an evolutionary arms race for maximizing fitness. African lions remain a quintessential model of this gender war, with a coalition of males gaining temporary but exclusive breeding rights over a female group after killing all cubs of former males. However in Asiatic lions, now found as a single population in Gir forests, India, adults live in same-sex groups that interact primarily for mating. Intensive monitoring of 70 adult lions revealed that female groups (n = 9) used exclusive territories, whereas male ranges (n = 11 coalitions) overlapped at areas of intense female use. A social network of mating events (n = 76) indicated that lionesses mated with multiple rival coalitions before conceiving. These neighboring coalitions, although hostile to each other were tolerant toward the same litters, suggestive of confused paternity among them. Given a land-tenure system where lionesses encounter many males capable of killing unfamiliar cubs, multi-male mating buffers cub infanticide and likely diversifies paternal lineages in litters. Consequently, infanticide was observed only when “new” males invaded a female group’s territory. An age-based mate choice was observed in lionesses: maiden breeders chose males having highest range overlaps, whereas experienced females selected peripheral males. The intergender spacing patterns and resultant sexual strategies of lions differ in Asia and Africa probably because of contrasting resource availability, highlighting behavioral plasticity within species inhabiting diverse eco-regions. By mating with multiple males, lionesses safeguard their investments and outdo the males in the war of fitness.

Annotated checklist and conservation status of mammals of Fars Province, southern Iran

Our purpose in this study was to gather all previously published data and our own data of extensive field expeditions and camera trapping to present a general view of the Fars mammals. The mammals of Fars Province, southern Iran, comprise of 72 species in 53 genera, 28 families and seven orders. The most diverse order is Chiroptera with 23 species or 31.9% of the mammalian fauna, followed by Carnivora and Rodentia (each with 18 species, 25%). The most diverse family is Vespertilionidae with nine species or 12.5% of the mammalian fauna, followed by Rhinopomatidae and Muridae, each with eight species or 11.1% of the mammalian fauna, Felidae and Canidae (each with five species, 6.9%), respectively. Sixteen families have only one species each. The Fars Province is the type locality of Triaenops persicus Dobson, 1871, Eptesicus serotinus shiraziensis (Dobson, 1871), Microtus irani Thomas, 1921, and Apodemus witherbyi (Thomas, 1902). Five species are listed in the Appendix I, eight species in the Appendix II, and eight species in the Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In addition, three species are considered as endangered and nine species as protected species based on the rules and regulations/laws of the Iranian Department of the Environment (DOE). The Asiatic Lion Panthera leo persica Meyer, 1826 is extirpated in Iran. Among the reported species, 60 species (83.3%) are considered as Least Concern (LC), two species as Not Evaluated (2.7%), one species as Data Deficient (1.4%), six species (8.3%) as Vulnerable (VU), and three species (4.2%) as Near Threatened (NT) in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The current checklist shows that the mammalian fauna of Fars Province is rich and taxonomically diverse, and the provided information will be necessary for the development of competent and pragmatic management plans and effective conservation policies.

Asiatic Lion <I>Panthera leo persica</I> Population Estimation in Asiatic Lion Landscape: Its Status, Dispersion and Management Challenges

Asiatic Lion Panthera leo persica is a flagship species of the semi-arid dry deciduous forest tracts of Saurashtra in Gujarat. The species was Critically Endangered and the numbers had drastically reduced in its historic range due to loss of habitat and hunting. A ban on hunting was enforced in the last remnant pocket of their territory, the Gir forests, by the erstwhile Nawab of Junagadh. Post-Independence, due to the persistent efforts of the State Forest Department with the continuous support of local people, the population has been rescued from the brink of extinction. With this impressive recovery, the species has been upgraded to the Endangered Category of IUCN. This is a globally acclaimed conservation success story of a large carnivore. Asiatic lions are among the few large carnivores which have been scientifically managed and counted since a very long time ago. The Gujarat Forest Department assesses the status and distribution of the species regularly at intervals of five years. This paper describes the population estimation exercise conducted in 2015 in the Gir Lion Landscape and discusses the current population status, structure, dispersion, and management challenges.

Molecular characterization of Hepatozoon sp. and Babesia sp. isolated from endangered Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica)

Hemoparasitic infections are frequently encountered in wild carnivores. Although, mostly, the infections are typically asymptomatic, they can be pathogenic under certain circumstances, viz. concurrent disease and stress due to captivity, habitat degradation, adverse climatic conditions or immunosuppression. The present study was undertaken to genotype Babesia sp. and Hepatozoon sp. isolated from lions of Lion Safari, Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India and establishing phylogenetic relationship based on 18S rRNA sequence with other isolates around the globe. Blood samples of five Asiatic lions, received in the Clinical and Wildlife Parasitology Laboratory, Division of Parasitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, were screened microscopically for any haemoparasitic infection. Out of five, one sample was positive for Hepatozoon sp. and another sample was positive for Babesia sp. Polymerase chain reaction of 18S rRNA with genomic DNA amplified 1775 bp and 1665 bp segments for Hepatozoon sp. and Babesia sp., respectively. Sequencing of PCR amplicon and BLAST analysis indicated that Hepatozoon spp. in Asiatic lion was 99% similar to Hepatozoon felis isolate of Spain and Babesia spp. like organism was 95% similar to Babesia canis 18S ribosomal RNA gene of Israeli cat and Babesia canis canis of domestic dogs. Based on the literature available in public domain and the findings of present study, it can be concluded that these haemoprotozoa are not restricted to their respective hosts, and more than one genotype can be found in the same habitat. Cryptic babesiosis and hepatozoonosis can flare up in immuno-compromised animals and may result into fatal consequences in endangered Asiatic lion.

Knowledge Outside the Classroom-An experience at Gir National Forest

Students often have to live, imagine work and even enjoy in the classroom for most of the time during the 5 years of their tenure during Architectural education. The initial years till 2 nd year are for acquiring skills and knowledge and the senior years are for performing and acquiring advanced skills required for an Architectural Profession. The Authors through this paper state that students also require outside the class knowledge in culture, wildlife, village life, forest, conservation, wildlife and cuisine. Hence the Authors who themselves have keen interest Wildlife and Photography took the initiative to impart the knowledge outside the regular classroom and make nature as a classroom. Hence it was decided to take some students from the Fourth year to Gir National forest amongst one of the most famous, ecologically sensitive and rich zones in the country, most noted for being the only habitat for Asiatic Lion. It is the Authors who state that such kind of initiatives and knowledge imparting has been ubiquitous in contemporary architectural education where global efforts are made on conservation of the nature as well as cultural heritage. The Authors state through this paper that if Students are given hands-on experience and approach they learn more and the learning is for life time. Architecture can also be taught through experience and not only by conventional jury and exam method. This paper is a collection of various experiences between a teacher and student, in which the teacher was the nature and context.

An assessment of the genetic diversity of the founders of the European captive population of Asian lion (Panthera leo leo), using microsatellite markers and studbook analysis

A European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) was established in the early 1990s, in order to manage a captive population of Asian lions (Panthera leo leo) within European zoos. The founders of this population comprised of nine individuals that originated from a captive population in India. During 2007–2009, 57 lions were born in the European captive population. Of these births, 35 individuals died within 20days, three died within two months and one individual was euthanased at four months old. Indeed, over 50% of the total historical captive population died within 30days of birth. The ‘European Studbook for the Asian Lion’ shows that the EEP founder population contains individuals from matings of full and half siblings, including all female founders.It is probable that high levels of inbreeding within this captive population are causing high levels of stillbirths and infant mortality. Previous research has shown that there is limited genetic variation in the captive population in India. This study uses the same microsatellite markers to establish the level of genetic variation that was present when the EEP population was established in comparison with that observed in the Indian zoo population, from which it was derived. Only three of the 12 microsatellite markers, showing variation in the Indian captive population, showed bi-allelic heterozygosity in the EEP founders, indicating that most variation was not present during the establishment of the EEP population. Therefore, the future of the Asian lion EEP is compromised by lack of genetic variation and high levels of inbreeding, which can only be alleviated by importing further individuals with different genotypes from India.

Selfish partners: resource partitioning in male coalitions of Asiatic lions.

Behavioral plasticity within species is adaptive which directs survival traits to take multiple pathways under varying conditions. Male-male cooperation is an evolutionary strategy often exhibiting an array of alternatives between and within species. African male lions coalesce to safeguard territories and mate acquisition. Unique to these coalitions is lack of strict hierarchies between partners, who have similar resource securities possibly because of many mating opportunities within large female groups. Skewed mating and feeding rights have only been documented in large coalitions where males were related. However, smaller modal prey coupled with less simultaneous mating opportunities for male Asiatic lions in Gir forests, India would likely result in a different coalition structure. Observations on mating events (n = 127) and feeding incidents (n = 44) were made on 11 male coalitions and 9 female prides in Gir, to assess resource distribution within and among different sized male coalitions. Information from 39 males was used to estimate annual tenure-holding probabilities. Single males had smaller tenures and appropriated fewer matings than coalition males. Pronounced dominance hierarchies were observed within coalitions, with one partner getting more than 70% of all matings and 47% more food. Competition between coalition partners at kills increased with decline in prey size, increase in coalition size and the appetite states of the males. However, immediate subordinates in coalitions had higher reproductive fitness than single males. Declining benefits to partners with increasing coalition size, with individuals below the immediate subordinates having fitness comparable to single males, suggest to an optimal coalition size of 2 lions. Lions under different competitive selection in Gir show behavioral plasticity to form hierarchical coalitions, wherein partners utilize resources asymmetrically, yet coalesce for personal gains.

Case Report. Internal transcribed spacer sequence based molecular confirmation and drug efficacy assessment against Toxascaris leonina (Linstow, 1909) infection in Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica)

Summary The eggs recovered during faecal screening of Asiatic lions (kept at MC Zoological Park, Punjab, India) were delineated as Toxascaris leonina eggs based on morphometric and molecular studies (polymerase chain reaction targeting internal transcribed spacer sequences). Therapeutic management with fenbendazole @10 mg/kg body weight, once daily orally for three consecutive days proved ineffective with maximum faecal egg count reduction (FECR) on day 3 post treatments (69.35 %). But, therapeutic intervention with extended period dose schedule (5 consecutive days) with fenbendazole (@10 mg/kg body weight) proved effective and showed a maximum FECR of 95.34 % at day 7 post treatments. But, when ivermectin (@100μg/kg body weight) was given orally on three alternate days, proved effective as FECR of 95.74 % was recorded at day 7 post treatments. Thus, present study highlights the molecular confi rmation of T. leonina and its management using fenbendazole and ivermectin in Asiatic lions.

Osteometry of Lumbar Vertebrae of Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo)

The anatomy of lumbar vertebrae of Asiatic lion was studied. There were seven lumbar vertebrae. The length of the body increased from the first to the sixth vertebrae, whereas the width increased up to the last vertebra. The ventral ridge was absent in first and last vertebrae. The dorsal spinous processes were short and flattened laterally and were cranially inclined, except L7 which was vertical. The transverse processes of each lumbar vertebra were directed obliquely forward and downward. The length of accessory processes decreased from L1 to L6 and it was absent in L7.

Dispersion of the Asiatic Lion <i>Panthera leo persica</i> and its Survival in Human-Dominated Landscape Outside the Gir Forest, Gujarat, India

Dispersion of the Asiatic Lion <i>Panthera leo persica</i> and its Survival in Human-Dominated Landscape Outside the Gir Forest, Gujarat, India

Behaviour and welfare: the visitor effect in captive felids

AbstractThe influence of visitors on the welfare of captive animals, known as the visitor effect, may in some instances be stressful, adversely affecting animal health. Although the survival of many felid species depends on captive breeding programmes, little is known about this effect. A better understanding of the visitor effect is required to ensure the well-being of felids and the success of breeding programmes. We sought to determine whether the presence of visitors affects behaviour patterns and space use in five feline species in two Spanish zoos: Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), jaguar (Panthera onca), bobcat (Lynx rufus),ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) and, if so, whether the effect on animal welfare is positive or negative. To our knowledge, no previous research has addressed the visitor effect in these species, with the exception of the jaguar. Data on animal behaviour, enclosure use, and visitor density were collected during the spring and summer of 2011 and 2012. Changes were observed for all studied species when the zoo was open to the public: four species devoted less time to complex behaviour (ie play, walk) and spent more time resting; ocelots and bobcats made more use of hidden spaces and less use of areas closer to visitors, while the jaguar tended to do the opposite. No correlation was found between visitor density and animal activity, indicating that animals are affected by the mere presence of visitors, regardless of their number. Our findings are in line with those reported by other authors, who have suggested that these behavioural changes are linked to chronic stress. Visitor effect was classed as negative for the welfare of all studied species apart from the jaguar. We advocate the need for future research into potential solutions to mitigate the adverse effect of visitors on felids.

Retrospective study of mortality in Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) in the European breeding population between 2000 and 2014.

Although the European population of Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) has been managed under the European Endangered Species Program (EEP) since 1990, little is known about the health status of the population. This study was designed to characterize mortality for this population through examination of the studbook and other records on 392 Asiatic lions living in the EEP between 2000 and 2014. A total of 270 animals died during the period with 80% of them being under 1 year old. The mortality rate for under 1 year olds was 54%, while the odds of survival of cubs within a litter increased if the dam had had litters previously. Survival to reproductive age was 44%. Post-mortem reports were requested and the cause of death was obtained for 133 animals. Trauma inflicted by a conspecific and lack of care were common causes of death (26% and 22%, respectively) and were also responsible for most of the neonatal mortalities. Congenital defects were responsible for 9% of deaths, although the true prevalence is likely underestimated. A common necropsy protocol for all Asiatic lion collections is needed to facilitate future studies. Zoo Biol. 36:66-73, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Role of Personality in Behavioral Responses to New Environments in Captive Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica).

Studying personality in captive animals may enable the development of individual-based management decisions, which may improve animal welfare. Asiatic lions at London Zoo represent an opportunity to research an understudied species' response to new environments since they have experienced social and physical changes, such as new enclosures and increased social interaction with humans. This project aimed to investigate the role of personality in behavioral responses to these changes. Lion personality questionnaires completed by keepers and direct focal animal observations were used to create personality profiles. Time budgets and enclosure use were determined and compared between control nights and event nights and between the lions' previous enclosure and their new one. The results showed a lack of difference in time budget and enclosure use between control and social event nights, and the spread of participation index values revealed that the lions use their enclosures unevenly. Personality profiles identified various traits that could assist with individual-based management decisions. As the first study to assess Asiatic lions personality, this research contributes to the creation of consistent and valid methodology for evaluating captive animal personality that may improve husbandry and welfare protocols for individual lions, leading to the improved health and success of the species.

Behavioral restriction effects on activity motivation of a captive lion (Panthera leo persica)

Abstract It has been suggested that the locomotive needs of zoo animals are not always satisfied in captive conditions. However, these reasons for movement and locomotion differ among species. This study investigated the locomotive motivation of captive lions, which are regarded as having relatively low motivation to move compared to other zoo animals. Four Indian lions including 1 noncastrated male and 3 females were observed as subject animals. Two captive conditions were set as experimental days: 1 was a confined condition in a bed chamber all day long (confined day); another was a released condition, with access to the exhibition area during (released day). The observation periods were also defined as daytime (9:00-16:00) and nighttime (16:30-9:00 of the next morning). We counted the lions' behavior repertories and recorded their maintenance, social, reproductive, and abnormal pacing behavior of 24 hours each day 5 times from the beginning of August to the end of November. Results show no difference in the numbers of behavior repertories between the released and confined days (χ 2 = 0.084, NS), suggesting that the conditions in this zoo might be sufficient for captive lions to express various behavior repertories. However, the maintenance behavior percentages were significantly different when confined and released days were compared (daytime, χ 2 = 19.17, P 2 = 13.06, P 2 = 3.94, P

Phylogeographic Patterns in Africa and High Resolution Delineation of Genetic Clades in the Lion (Panthera leo)

Comparative phylogeography of African savannah mammals shows a congruent pattern in which populations in West/Central Africa are distinct from populations in East/Southern Africa. However, for the lion, all African populations are currently classified as a single subspecies (Panthera leo leo), while the only remaining population in Asia is considered to be distinct (Panthera leo persica). This distinction is disputed both by morphological and genetic data. In this study we introduce the lion as a model for African phylogeography. Analyses of mtDNA sequences reveal six supported clades and a strongly supported ancestral dichotomy with northern populations (West Africa, Central Africa, North Africa/Asia) on one branch, and southern populations (North East Africa, East/Southern Africa and South West Africa) on the other. We review taxonomies and phylogenies of other large savannah mammals, illustrating that similar clades are found in other species. The described phylogeographic pattern is considered in relation to large scale environmental changes in Africa over the past 300,000 years, attributable to climate. Refugial areas, predicted by climate envelope models, further confirm the observed pattern. We support the revision of current lion taxonomy, as recognition of a northern and a southern subspecies is more parsimonious with the evolutionary history of the lion.

An issue of Public Health concern due to emerging drug resistance against Toxascaris leonina (Linstow, 1909) in Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica)

An issue of Public Health concern due to emerging drug resistance against Toxascaris leonina (Linstow, 1909) in Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica)

Immobilization and Anaesthesia in Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica)

Asiatic lions (Panthera Leo Persica) and hybrid lions are often subjected to chemical immobilization and anaesthesia for various measures related to conservation and elective and emergency surgical procedures by veterinarians. Management of long term anaesthesia has been carried out under using injectable anaesthetics and ancillary drugs which pose problems due to change in depth of anaesthesia and alteration in homeostasis leading to stress and stress related complications. Significantly higher dose (p < 0.05) of xylazine and ketamine was required in sub-adult lions (1.08±0.10 and 2.70±0.26 mg/kg body weight) than adult lions (1.06±0.30 and 2.64±0.08 mg/kg body weight) for immobilization. Similarly lions required higher dose (p < 0.05) of xylazine and ketamine (1.08±0.07 and 2.71±0.16 mg/kg body weight) than lioness (1.04±0.40 and 2.61±0.10 mg/kg body weight) for immobilization irrespective of body weights. Ketamine and propofol (2 &1 mg/kg iv) could be used as induction agents. Propofol induction was safe for oral digital palpation of glottis and intubation. Isoflurane provided smooth maintenance. This work is useful for wildlife veterinarians.

Schrodinger's scat: a critical review of the currently available tiger (Panthera Tigris) and leopard (Panthera pardus) specific primers in India, and a novel leopard specific primer.

BackgroundNon-invasive sampling has opened avenues for the genetic study of elusive species, which has contributed significantly to their conservation. Where field based identity of non-invasive sample is ambiguous (e.g. carnivore scats), it is essential to establish identity of the species through molecular approaches. A cost effective procedure to ascertain species identity is to use species specific primers (SSP) for PCR amplification and subsequent resolution through agarose gel electrophoresis. However, SSPs if ill designed can often cross amplify non-target sympatric species. Herein we report the problem of cross amplification with currently published SSPs, which have been used in several recent scientific articles on tigers (Panthera tigris) and leopards (Panthera pardus) in India. Since these papers form pioneering research on which future work will be based, an early rectification is required so as to not propagate this error further.ResultsWe conclusively show cross amplification of three of the four SSPs, in sympatric non-target species like tiger SSP amplifying leopard and striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), and leopard SSP amplifying tiger, lion (Panthera leo persica) and clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), with the same product size. We develop and test a non-cross-amplifying leopard specific primer pair within the mitochondrial cytochrome b region. We also standardize a duplex PCR method to screen tiger and leopard samples simultaneously in one PCR reaction to reduce cost and time.ConclusionsThese findings suggest the importance of an often overlooked preliminary protocol of conclusive identification of species from non-invasive samples. The cross amplification of published primers in conspecifics suggests the need to revisit inferences drawn by earlier work.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-016-0344-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica)

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence 17,059 bp of Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) has been sequenced with the use of next generation sequencing technology using Ion Torrent PGM platform. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Asiatic lion consists of 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA, and two rRNA genes, and 1 control region (CR). The mitochondrial genome is relatively similar to other felid mitochondrial genomes with respect to gene arrangement, composition, tRNA structures and skews of AT/GC bases to be typical of those reported for other mammals. The nucleotide composition of Asiatic lion mitogenome shows that there is more A-T% than G-C% on the positive strand as revealed by positive AT and CG skews. The overall base composition is 31.9% of A, 27.2% of C, 14.5% of G, and 26.2% of T. Most of the genes have ATA start codons, except ND1, COX2, ATP8, ATP6, ND4, and ND5 have ATG start codons.

Effect of Immobilization and Anaesthesia on Certain Haemato-Biochemical Parameters in Asiatic Lions (Panthera Leo Persica)

The study was conducted to assess the impact of chemical immobilization and anaesthesia on certain haematological and biochemical parameters in Asiatic lions intended for diagnostic and surgical procedure. The impact of anaesthetic and ancillary drugs was studied in 8 Asiatic and hybrid lions (Panthera leo persica) in 12 trials. In all the trials the lions were immobilized with xylazine and ketamine (1.00 and 2.50 mg/kg BW), induced with intravenous administration of ketamine (2.00 mg/kg) in trial I and propofol (1.00 mg/kg BW) in trial II and both trial I and II lions were maintained with isoflurane at a vaporizer setting of 0.5 to 2.00 in 100 oxygen. The mean haemoglobin and packed cell volume decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in both the trials when compared with the mean of after immobilization. Similarly leucocytosis and neutrophilia with corresponding lympopenia (p < 0.01) was noticed in both the trials after induction, during maintenance and before recovery and the trend simulated the “classical stress leucogram”. The mean blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen level elevated (p < 0.05) in both the trials after induction, during maintenance and before recovery. No statistically significant variations could be observed in serum creatinine, ALT and AST. Though the haemato-biochemical parameters in Asiatic lions immobilized with xylazine-ketamine, induced with ketamine or propofol and maintained with isoflurane varied, it did not have clinical significance as the values remained within the normal clinical level.