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Swain, D.; Behura, B.K.
Melanistic tigers of Similipal Tiger Reserve, India: Bane or Boon?
2013 Tigerpaper (40): 1-4
The frequent sightings of black and melanistic tigers and three of the seven tigers captured in photographs during the camera trapping exercise in 2006, all in an area of only 120 km2 out of the 2,750 km2 of STR, provide ample evidence of a preponderance of melanism in Similipal tigers. The use of molecular markers and complete genome sequences of these tigers may identify the genetic basis of melanism. However, studies of jaguars, pocket mice, bananaquits, etc. mentioned herein make us believe that melanism in Similipal tigers may be a manifestation of dominant genes, and for this, Similipal occupies a unique position for tiger conservation in the country. In order to save the tigers of Similipal, the distinctive camouflage pattern of the habitat also needs to be preserved.
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