Genetic variability and geographic structure of three subspecies of tigers(Panthera tigris) based on MHC class I variation

Genetic variation at the major histocompatibility (MHC) class I loci was ex amined in captive and wild samples of three subspecies of tiger (Bengal, Pa nthera tigris tigris; Siberian, P. t. altaica; Sumatran, P. t. sumatrae) by Southern blot analysis using the domestic cat probe FLA 24. All captive po pulations showed at least moderate variability compared to other felids. Ca ptive tigers were, on average, significantly more variable than wild tigers , but this was not consistent among subspecies. Significant geographic gene tic population structure was found at the MHC class I loci among both capti ve and wild tigers. Phylogenetic analysis of both captive and wild tigers p laced Sumatran tigers basally. In a combined phylogenetic analysis, captive and wild tigers of the same subspecies occurred near one another, indicati ng that the structure of the captive populations reflects that of the wild populations.