Recently, wildlife poachers have been arrested for allegedly hunting a rare melanistic tiger, a species found exclusively in Kulipal section of Jenabil range in Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR). These are a unique genetic variant of the Bengal tiger, distinguished by their pseudo-melanism.
Genetic Basis of Pseudo-Melanism: A 2021 study by the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru, identified the cause of this rare coloration as a missense mutation in the Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep) gene. This mutation alters coat patterns in various felid species. For example:
- Tabby cats with blotchy or darker stripes carry the same mutated gene.
- The King cheetah exhibits wider, darker spots due to a similar genetic change.
This mutation causes the stripes on the orange or tawny coat of tigers to widen and merge, creating the illusion of a black tiger.
Similipal: A Haven for Pseudo-Melanistic Tigers: The All Odisha Tiger Estimation (AOTE-2023-24) reveals the critical role of Similipal Tiger Reserve in tiger conservation. Out of the 30 tigers recorded in Odisha, 27 reside in Similipal. Among these, 13 adult tigers (seven females and six males) exhibit pseudo-melanism. This makes Similipal the only habitat in the world where pseudo-melanistic tigers are found.
