Biology Faculty Articles

Conservation Genetics of the Cheetah: Lessons Learned and New Opportunities

ORCID

0000-0001-7353-8301

ResearcherID

N-1726-2015

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Heredity

ISSN

0022-1503

Publication Date

9-1-2017

Keywords

Acinonyx jubatus, Cheetah genome, Indian cheetah, Population bottleneck

Abstract

The dwindling wildlife species of our planet have become a cause célèbre for conservation groups, governments, and concerned citizens throughout the world. The application of powerful new genetic technologies to surviving populations of threatened mammals has revolutionized our ability to recognize hidden perils that afflict them. We have learned new lessons of survival, adaptation, and evolution from viewing the natural history of genomes in hundreds of detailed studies. A single case history of one species, the African cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus, is here reviewed to reveal a long-term story of conservation challenges and action informed by genetic discoveries and insights. A synthesis of 3 decades of data, interpretation, and controversy, capped by whole genome sequence analysis of cheetahs, provides a compelling tale of conservation relevance and action to protect this species and other threatened wildlife.

DOI

10.1093/jhered/esx047

Volume

108

Issue

6

First Page

671

Last Page

677

Comments

©The American Genetic Association 2017. All rights reserved.

Additional Comments

Russian Science Foundation grant #: 17-14-01138

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