The AB blood group system in wild felids

The blood type of 131 non-domesticated felids belonging to 26 felid species was surveyed in this study. Based upon a tube hemagglutination assay estab lished for domestic cats, 80% of felids had type-A, 18% type-B, and 2% type -AB blood. Felids in the Puma group and African and Asian golden cats had b lood type B, whereas all other species were found to have blood type A. Two cheetahs and one bobcat had type-AB blood. Red cell glycolipids analysed b y high performance thin layer chromatography revealed a similar ganglioside pattern in wild cats as reported in domestic cats. Independent of the AB b lood group system, incompatible blood crossmatch reactions were detected be tween different felid groups. In conclusion, wild felids display the same A B-erythrocyte antigens as domestic cats, and the same blood typing procedur es can be applied for wild and domestic felids.