Biology Faculty Articles
Title
Genetic Basis for Species Vulnerability in the Cheetah
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-22-1985
Publication Title
Science
ISSN
0036-8075
Volume
227
Issue/No.
4693
First Page
1428
Last Page
1434
Abstract
A population genetic survey of over 200 structural loci previously revealed that the South African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) has an extreme paucity of genetic variability, probably as a consequence of a severe population bottleneck in its recent past. The genetic monomorphism of the species is here extended to the major histocompatibility complex, since 14 reciprocal skin grafts between unrelated cheetahs were accepted. The apparent consequences of such genetic uniformity to the species include (i) great difficulty in captive breeding, (ii) a high degree of juvenile mortality in captivity and in the wild, and (iii) a high frequency of spermatozoal abnormalities in ejaculates. The species vulnerability of the cheetah was demonstrated by an epizootic of coronavirus-associated feline infectious peritonitis in an Oregon breeding colony in 1983. Exposure and spread of the coronavirus, which has a very low morbidity in domestic cats (approximately 1 percent), has decimated a heretofore productive and healthy captive population. The extreme genetic monomorphism, especially at the major histocompatibility complex, and the apparent hypersensitivity of the cheetah to a viral pathogen may be related, and provide a biological basis for understanding the adaptive significance of abundant genetic variation in outbred mammalian species.
NSUWorks Citation
O'Brien, Stephen J.; M. E. Roelke; L. Marker; A. Newman; Cheryl Winkler; D. G. Meltzer; L. Colly; J. F. Evermann; M. Bush; and David E. Wildt. 1985. "Genetic Basis for Species Vulnerability in the Cheetah." Science 227, (4693): 1428-1434. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cnso_bio_facarticles/167
ORCID ID
0000-0001-7353-8301
ResearcherID
N-1726-2015
Comments
©1985 American Association for the Advancement of Science