Biology Faculty Articles

Title

Genetic introgression within the Florida panther Felis concolor coryi

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1990

Publication Title

National Geographic Research

Volume

6

Issue/No.

4

First Page

485

Last Page

494

Abstract

The Florida panther is a severely threatened relict population of puma whose historic range has included much of the SE United States. The population now consists of 30-50 animals. Field observations indicated the presence of 2 distinct morphological phenotypes that are stratified between the adjacent areas despite the occurrence of periodic migration between them. Molecular genetic analysis using mitochondrial DNA and nuclear markers indicates the existence of 2 distinct genetic stocks concordant with the morphological phenotypes. One stock confined to Big Cypress Swamp is derived from the ancestors of F.c. coryi. A stock found largely in the Everglades, is descended primarily from pumas that evolved in South or Central America, but were introduced (probably by man) in the Florida habitat very recently. The precarious genetic disposition of the few remaining authentic Florida panthers may be benefiting from the introgression of genetic materials into the wild population. -from Authors

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