Persian Leopard Research Articles

Characterization of Cauxin in the Urine of Domestic and Big Cats

Cauxin is an abundant protein in feline urine. We have used proteomics strategies to characterize cauxin from the urine of domestic cats and a number of big cat species. Proteins were resolved by gel-based electrophoretic purification and subjected to in-gel digestion with trypsin. The resultant tryptic peptides were mass-measured by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Peptides were also resolved by liquid chromatography and analyzed by electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry to generate fragment ion data to infer the amino acid sequence. We identified cauxin polymorphisms and corrected a sequencing artifact in cauxin from the domestic cat. The proteomics data also provided positive evidence for the presence of a cauxin homolog in the urine of big cats (Pantherinae), including the Sumatran tiger, Asiatic lion, clouded leopard, Persian leopard, and jaguar. The levels of cauxin in the urine of all big cats were substantially lower than that in the urine of intact male domestic cats.

Using thin-layer chromatography of fecal bile acids to study the leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica) population

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of fecal bile acids has been used to confirm visual identification of 30 scat samples found in Armenia from April 2004 to November 2005 and attributed to the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica). The results of TLC do not differ significantly from those of visual identification, confirming the reliability of the latter method. All samples identified incorrectly (lynx and wolf scats) are from the Meghri Ridge, indicating that the ecological niches of the three predators apparently overlap in this area. Taking into account the frequency and distribution of scats, two priority areas for leopard conservation have been identified: the Central and Khachadzor districts of the Khosrov Nature Reserve and the Nuvadi-Shvanidzor area in eastern Meghri ridge.

DISSEMINATED COCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS IN A CAPTIVE INDOCHINESE TIGER (PANTHERA TIGRIS CORBETTI) WITH CHRONIC RENAL DISEASE

A 19-yr-old, 78.2-kg captive female Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti) from the El Paso Zoo (El Paso, Texas, USA) with chronic renal disease was euthanized after a 10-day course of anorexia, depression, progressive rear limb weakness, muscle fasciculations, and head tremors. Postmortem findings included pericardial effusion, generalized lymphadenopathy, glomerulosclerosis, glomerular atrophy with membranous glomerulonephropathy, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Pyogranulomatous pneumonia, pericarditis, and lymphadenitis were associated with fungal spherules histomorphologically consistent with Coccidioides immitis. Rising antibodies to C. immitis were detected on samples obtained perimortem and 2 mo before euthanasia. Retrospective serology was negative for two additional Indochinese tigers, two Iranian leopards (Panthera pardus saxicolor), two jaguars (Panthera onca), two bobcats (Lynx rufus texensis), two ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), and three Amur leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis) housed at the zoo over an 8-yr period. Despite being located within the endemic region for C. immitis, this is only the second case of coccidioidomycosis reported from this institution.

Habitat preferences by the Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor Pocock, 1927) in Armenia

This paper describes and discusses the results of a study which combined Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping and statistical analysis of the spatial distribution of the Persian Leopard Panthera pardus saxicolor presence signs (latrines and tracks) and the key human activities (villages, roads and livestock breeding) in the principal protected area of Armenia, Khosrov Reserve, and its wildlife corridor, Gndasar Mt./Noravank Canyon area. The critical habitat for the Leopard in the Khosrov Reserve is sparse juniper forest. Human activities are least intense in the Khosrov Reserve area, where all the villages are abandoned but are used as summer pastures for livestock. On the other hand, the Gndasar Mt./Noravank Canyon area contains high highway density and 13 inhabited villages with high human and livestock numbers. Livestock grazing should be carefully controlled for Leopard conservation, since this cat’s range and livestock areas overlap. The Gndasar Mt./Noravank Canyon area provides a vital movement corridor for the Leopards and other wildlife between Khosrov Reserve and southern Armenia, and also with northern Iran where significant numbers of Leopards live. Based on the spatial information we provide, we give a list of urgent recommendations for Leopard conservation measures in the study area.

Zona pellucida-piercing enhances zona penetration by spermatozoa of normospermic and teratospermic domestic cats

1.1. Basic haematological values in 34 animals of eight carnivorous species are reported.2.2. In four Northern lynxs (Lynx lynx lynx), two male and two female animals, the mean values are given: erythrocyte counts 8.51 × 1012/l, haematocrit 0.392/l, haemoglobin content 148.0 g/l and leukocyte count 7.92 × 109/l.3.3. In six male pumas (Puma concolor missolensis) the mean values estimated are: erythrocyte count 9.35 × 1012/l, haematocrit 0.43/l, haemoglobin content 163.9 g/l and leukocyte count 7.73 × 109/l. Individual values in one female puma are also given.4.4. In six jaguars (Panthera onca), three male and three female animals, the mean values are given: erythrocyte count 8.27 × 1012/l, haematocrit 0.37/l, haemoglobin content 137.1 g/l and leukocyte count 15.15 × 109/l.5.5. Only individual values are reported in one clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), in one leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor), in one Corbett's tiger (Panthera tigris Corbetti) and in one Altaic tiger (Panthera tigris Altaica).6.6. In four lions (Panthera leo leo), two male and two female animals, the mean estimated values are: erythrocyte count 10.14 × 1012/l, haematocrit 0.462/l, haemoglobin content 159.0 g/l and leukocyte count 11.05 × 109/l.7.7. In six female cheetahs (Acinonox jubatus jubatus) the mean values estimated are: erythrocyte count 7.86 × 1012/l, haematocrit 0.373/l, haemoglobin content 142.8 g/l and leukocyte count 8.65 × 109/l. For three male cheetahs only individual values are reported.8.8. All results achieved are compared with those abstracted from the literature and discussed.

Carnivora: The Primary Structure of the Major and Minor Hemoglobin Components of Adult North Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus sexicolor)

The complete primary structure of the two hemoglobin components of the adult North Persian Leopard are presented. The major component Hb-I accounts for 80-90% and the minor component Hb-II accounts for 20-10% of the total hemoglobin. Reversed phase HPLC was used for the separation of the polypeptide chains. The amino acid sequences were established by automated Edman degradation of the globin chains and of the tryptic peptides in liquid-and gas-phase sequenators. The sequences are aligned with those of human Hb-A. Our result shows that the hemoglobins of North Persian Leopard and Jaguar are identical in amino acid sequence.

Basic haematological values in carnivores—II. The felidae

1. 1. Basic haematological values in 34 animals of eight carnivorous species are reported. 2. 2. In four Northern lynxs ( Lynx lynx lynx), two male and two female animals, the mean values are given: erythrocyte counts 8.51 × 10 12/l, haematocrit 0.392/l, haemoglobin content 148.0 g/l and leukocyte count 7.92 × 10 9/l. 3. 3. In six male pumas ( Puma concolor missolensis) the mean values estimated are: erythrocyte count 9.35 × 10 12/l, haematocrit 0.43/l, haemoglobin content 163.9 g/l and leukocyte count 7.73 × 10 9/l. Individual values in one female puma are also given. 4. 4. In six jaguars ( Panthera onca), three male and three female animals, the mean values are given: erythrocyte count 8.27 × 10 12/l, haematocrit 0.37/l, haemoglobin content 137.1 g/l and leukocyte count 15.15 × 10 9/l. 5. 5. Only individual values are reported in one clouded leopard ( Neofelis nebulosa), in one leopard ( Panthera pardus saxicolor), in one Corbett's tiger ( Panthera tigris Corbetti) and in one Altaic tiger ( Panthera tigris Altaica). 6. 6. In four lions ( Panthera leo leo), two male and two female animals, the mean estimated values are: erythrocyte count 10.14 × 10 12/l, haematocrit 0.462/l, haemoglobin content 159.0 g/l and leukocyte count 11.05 × 10 9/l. 7. 7. In six female cheetahs ( Acinonox jubatus jubatus) the mean values estimated are: erythrocyte count 7.86 × 10 12/l, haematocrit 0.373/l, haemoglobin content 142.8 g/l and leukocyte count 8.65 × 10 9/l. For three male cheetahs only individual values are reported. 8. 8. All results achieved are compared with those abstracted from the literature and discussed.

Induction of ovulation and successful artificial insemination in a Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor)

AbstractTechniques of artificial insemination have not been readily applied to zoo animals. The nonsurgical approach has been unsuccessful in nondomestic felids until the present study where pregnancy was achieved in a Persian leopard. The demonstration of this technique should encourage renewed attempts to artificially inseminate nondomestic felids.