Amur Leopard Genome Sequence Completed

An international team of researchers has sequenced the complete genome of the Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis), one of the most critically endangered big cats in the world.

Amur leopard cub at Tallinn Zoo, Estonia. Image credit: Sini Merikallio / CC BY-SA 2.0.

The scientists sequenced the Amur leopard genome using a muscle sample of a female from the Daejeon O-World of Korea.

This is the second leopard genome to be sequenced following the snow leopard published in 2013.

“The leopard genome showed the longest continuity and highest accuracy among the big cat (Panthera species and cheetah) genome assemblies,” the authors said.

“Two additional wild Amur leopards from the Far East-Primorsky Krai and a wild Amur leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus/euptilura) from Korea were whole genome re-sequenced, and were used together with previously reported whole genome data of other felid species for comparative evolutionary analyses.”

The researchers hope that the Amur leopard reference genome will serve as a useful tool for understanding Felidae evolution and aid conservation.

“Leopards are the most widespread species of the big cats, found in Africa to the Far East, and thrive in a variety of environments,” said senior co-author Prof. Steve O’Brien, from Nova Southeastern University.

“However, populations are fast declining, especially the Amur leopard, which is now critically endangered and perhaps the most endangered animal species on Earth.”

“Cats are also a good model for studying health issues, such as human diabetes, and this new leopard genome reference is an environmental treasure that could help us understand these conditions further,” added lead co-author Dr. Soonok Kim, from National Institute of Biological Resources of Korea.

The team also analyzed 18 mammalian genomes including eight carnivores (domestic cat, tiger, cheetah, lion, leopard, polar bear, killer whale and Tasmanian devil), five omnivores (human, mouse, dog, pig, and opossum) and five herbivores (giant panda, cow, horse, rabbit, and elephant).

Comparing the genomes they found that carnivores share two genes that are not present in other genomes that play an important role in bone development and repair, which could drive selection for a diet specialized towards meat.

“Using the Amur leopard genome and comparing it to that of other mammalian genomes we found that carnivory seems to be a strong selection force for genes involved in dietary adaptation – something not as apparent in mammals that are omnivores or herbivores,” said lead co-author Yunsung Cho, from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology.

“For example, cows could eat meat without it having a major impact on their health, but leopards eating grass would quickly die as they have evolved to survive on meat.”

The current study shows that animals in Felidae have relatively low genetic diversity and small population sizes.

This could be due to the inflexible nature of their strict diet and explains their vulnerability and critical conservation status.

“Carnivory related genetic adaptations such as extreme agility, muscle power and specialized diet make leopards such successful predators, but these lifestyle traits also make them genetically vulnerable,” Cho said.

The team’s findings were published online Oct. 11, 2016 in the journal Genome Biology.

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Soonok Kim et al. 2016. Comparison of carnivore, omnivore, and herbivore mammalian genomes with a new leopard assembly. Genome Biology 17: 211; doi: 10.1186/s13059-016-1071-4