Genomes of big cats revealed

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

17 September 2013 Last updated at 15:03 GMT

Genomes of big cats revealed

By Helen Briggs
BBC News

International scientists have mapped the genomes of the tiger, lion and snow leopard, in conservation efforts to protect endangered species.

The research give clues to how big cats evolved to become top predators with superior muscle strength and a carnivorous diet.

The tiger shares 96% of its genes with the house cat, the study in Nature Communications reveals.

Until now, the only cat to have its DNA mapped was the domestic one.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24117279

[Warpy]

1. I'm hoping the Maine coon cat's genome gets mapped

before I kick the bucket. Because they're such enormous cats, I've long suspected there was some bobcat in there somewhere, although they're gentle giants, the most even tempered cats I've ever known.

[dipsydoodle]

5. My Maine Coon is a cross with a British Shorthair - both parents pedigree cats.

He weighs c. 19 lb. One of his brothers and a sister looked pure Maine and another sister pure BSH.

Big mouth too ! He's actually yawning - not about to take a chunk out of the Colour Point BSH when he was a kitten.

[Warpy]

7. Kitten doesn't look too sure about that

My cat is a Maine coon cross, a female just shy of 10 pounds in her prime. She got the coat and the typical disposition and it's true, they often spoil you for other breeds.

Even at the ripe old age of almost 20, she is loose as a goose at the vet's.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Amazing to think that the big lazy heap of fur sleeping on my feet

is 96% tiger.

[Warpy]

3. Or the one glaring at me because she's hungry

and I can't feed her until a full half hour after her potassium pill or it'll all come up at me.

At least mine is a Maine coon. I can believe that tiger content with the big ruff around her neck.

[lastlib]

4. My fur-ball would never claim to be a tiger--she wouldn't play in the little leagues for anybody!!

[Surya Gayatri]

6. Tyger! Tyger! burning bright In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

By William Blake
1794

I always knew my cats were true tigers at heart.
Thanks Eugene!