Cats and small gene pools

Overview

Genetics is an extremely complicated science; however, let's break it down to demonstrate the problems with a small gene pool. Most people understand that when a female cat breeds with a male cat, each supplies fifty percent of their individual genes to each one of the offspring. When the male and female are from different areas or regions, or different breeds, chances are there will be few duplications of harmful genes that could create deformities, health threats, or mutations.

When the male and female are related, however, then both could potentially carry recessives genes and could give each kitten that gene. Stillborn kittens, kittens with mutations, deformities, or a susceptibility to a disease could result from such matings.

Cause

Cheetahs have a very small gene pool throughout the species, with an even smaller gene pool in certain regions. About ten thousand years ago something happened to cheetahs, that something is unknown to us, but was drastic to the species. Only a few breeding pairs were left world wide and so all cheetahs today are descended from those few animals; this has left the species with a very small gene pool.

Although scientists today are working feverishly to save the species, this gene pool has caused low reproductive rates, the equivalent of early menopause in female cheetahs, and a high mortality in kittens. Cheetahs can also suffer from poor sperm, bad teeth, and physical deformities such as kinked tails and legs that are not straight and strong.

The Cheetah Conservation Foundation and other organizations are working hard to try and save the cheetah, but some biologists feel the species is too inbred (too few unrelated individuals) to save.

Domesticated cats can face the same inbreeding problems as cheetahs when breeders use too few individuals, especially related individuals, in their breeding programs. Also, colonies of feral cats can be affected because there is usually one dominant male that breeds the females in an area. Over time, all the cats in a certain area will be related.

The future

Wise cat breeders should study a course in basic genetics. With this knowledge, they can then plan a breeding program to accomplish their goals, without compromising the breed's health and future. Also, with the recent increase in feral cat spay and neuter programs, there will likely be fewer problems with inbreeding in feral colonies in the future.

Resources:

Brain, Marshall. Understanding the Gene Pool How Stuff Works.

Cheetah. Wikipedia 2008.

Cheetah Conservation Fund 2008.