Breakthrough DNA study could slow big cat extinction
11 April 2014
Under threat: lions, Panthera leo, in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa © Lucy Brooks.
New research comparing genes from living lions with ancient lion remains could help scientists boost dwindling populations.
A team of scientists has for the first time compared the genetic signatures from living and extinct lions to identify five distinct geographical groups within the lion species.
Their findings were reported in the BMC Evolutionary Biology journal last week.
Lion groups
The research team, led by the University of Durham and including Museum zoologists Prof Ian Barnes and Richard Sabin, has identified the five groups of lions as North African/Asian, West African, Central African, South African and East-South African.
Current conservation policies recognise only two distinct geographical groups.read more
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