Pantherinae is the subfamily of the family Felidae which includes the genera Panthera, Uncia and Neofelis.[1] The divergence of Pantherinae from Felinae has been ranked between six and ten Ma[2]. Recent DNA evidence suggests Uncia uncia or the Snow Leopard is basal to the entire Pantherinae and should be renamed Panthera uncia. There is also evidence of distinct markers for the mitochondrial genome for Felidae.[3][1] [4][2]
Another DNA based study has suggested that the branching order was Panthera tigris first, followed by Panthera onca, Panthera leo and last two sister species Panthera pardus and Panthera uncia.[5] Additional work will be required to resolve this issue.
[edit] Species
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Wozencraft, W. C. (16 November 2005). Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds). ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd edition ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 545-548. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3.
- ^ Johnson, W.E., Eizirik, E., Pecon-Slattery, J., Murphy, W.J., Antunes, A., Teeling, E. & O'Brien, S.J. (2006). "The Late Miocene radiation of modern Felidae: A genetic assessment" (abstract). Science 311: 73–77. doi:10.1126/science.1122277. PMID 16400146. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/311/5757/73.
- ^ Molecular Biology Reports, Publisher Springer Netherlands, ISSN 0301-4851 (Print) 1573-4978 (Online), DOI 10.1007/s11033-008-9257-9
- ^ Phylogenetic relationships within mammalian order Carnivora indicated by sequences of two nuclear DNA genes. Li Yua,b,c, Qing-wei Lid, O.A. Rydere, Ya-ping Zhanga,b. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 33 (2004) 694–705
- ^ Yu L, Zhang YP.(2005) Phylogenetic studies of pantherine cats (Felidae) based on multiple genes, with novel application of nuclear beta fibrinogen intron 7 to carnivores. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 35(2):483-495
- ^ Kitchener, A., et al. (2006-12-05). "Geographical Variation in the Clouded Leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, Reveals Two Species". Current Biology 16 (23): 2377–2383. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2006.10.066.
