<p>In a first, scientists have mapped the tiger genome, including that of the Bengal Tiger, and identified genetic mutations that helped the big cat evolve to become a top predator.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Scientists also sequenced the genomes of the lion and snow leopard, in an effort to conserve and protect the endangered species.<br /><br />The study provides clues to how big cats evolved to become top predators with superior muscle strength and a carnivorous diet, 'BBC News' reported.<br /><br />Researchers found that the tiger shares 96 per cent of its genes with the house cat. The only cat to have its DNA mapped was the domestic one.<br /><br />Researchers led by Yun Sung Cho at the Personal Genomics Institute, Genome Research Foundation in Suwon, South Korea, sequenced the genome of a Siberian tiger.<br /><br />The individual, Taegeuk, is a nine-year-old male from Everland Zoo in South Korea.<br /><br />The team then sequenced the DNA of four other big cats - the African lion, snow leopard, white Bengal tiger and white African lion.<br /><br />This enabled the researchers to compare how the genes matched up in different members of the cat family.<br /><br />Genetic signatures show how big cats gained their superior muscle strength, the ability to digest large amounts of meat and a keen sense of smell.<br /><br />The research also gives genetic clues to how the white lion gained its pale coat and how the snow leopard adapted to the snowy mountain ranges.<br /><br />The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.</p>
<p>In a first, scientists have mapped the tiger genome, including that of the Bengal Tiger, and identified genetic mutations that helped the big cat evolve to become a top predator.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Scientists also sequenced the genomes of the lion and snow leopard, in an effort to conserve and protect the endangered species.<br /><br />The study provides clues to how big cats evolved to become top predators with superior muscle strength and a carnivorous diet, 'BBC News' reported.<br /><br />Researchers found that the tiger shares 96 per cent of its genes with the house cat. The only cat to have its DNA mapped was the domestic one.<br /><br />Researchers led by Yun Sung Cho at the Personal Genomics Institute, Genome Research Foundation in Suwon, South Korea, sequenced the genome of a Siberian tiger.<br /><br />The individual, Taegeuk, is a nine-year-old male from Everland Zoo in South Korea.<br /><br />The team then sequenced the DNA of four other big cats - the African lion, snow leopard, white Bengal tiger and white African lion.<br /><br />This enabled the researchers to compare how the genes matched up in different members of the cat family.<br /><br />Genetic signatures show how big cats gained their superior muscle strength, the ability to digest large amounts of meat and a keen sense of smell.<br /><br />The research also gives genetic clues to how the white lion gained its pale coat and how the snow leopard adapted to the snowy mountain ranges.<br /><br />The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.</p>