Is low genetic variation reason behind Asiatic cheetahs becoming extinct?

Cheetahs are indeed very impressive cats. Unfortunately, Indians born after the independence could never see an Asiatic Cheetah in India as they became extinct almost at the same time when India became independent. From being bold sprinters to running at a speed of 80 mph they can match your big automobile machines like Porsche 911 or Ferrari 458 Italia in speed.

Changes in their cardiovascular and respiratory system, limbs, and muscles helped them become the fastest animals on the earth. A few evolutionary traits and genetic variations were also responsible for bringing them on the threshold of extinction. Nonetheless, illegal pet trade, poaching, and habitat loss have also been major factors that contributed to the dwindling population of Asiatic Cheetahs all through Asia.

Cheetahs as a species are extremely inbred. That is why they are also called often the cats from the royal family. Humans have genetic differences and hence whenever there is an organ transplant even from a close blood relation like a mother or a sibling, a person has to take human-suppressing drugs so that the body does not reject that organ.

However, when it comes to Cheetahs, they are so genetically similar to each other irrespective of the fact whether they are from Asia or Africa that it is quite possible for the body of an Asiatic Cheetah to easily accept a kidney donation from an African Cheetah.

A study revealed that the genetic variation possibility in cheetahs was dead a long time ago and hence there is a depletion in their genome variation. Since they are inbred, their lineage has very low chances of evolving according to the new changes in pathogens or environmental conditions.

Their inbreeding depression is the reason why they have low success of reproduction and one of the main reasons behind it is these docile cats have a high proportion of malformed sperms caused due to excessive gene deleterious mutations.

Hence, due to genetic variation, they have very low chances of reproduction and adapting to changes in the environment. And that is why, even an onset of a novel virus is enough to wipe them out easily.