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The rediscovery of remnant Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) in southern Florida swamplands prompted a program to protect and stabilize the population. In 1995, conservation managers translocated eight female pumas (P. c. stanleyana) from Texas to increase depleted genetic diversity, improve population numbers, and reverse indications of inbreeding depression. We have assessed the demographic, population-genetic, and biomedical consequences of this restoration experiment and show that panther numbers increased threefold, genetic heterozygosity doubled, survival and fitness measures improved, and inbreeding correlates declined significantly. Although these results are encouraging, continued habitat loss, persistent inbreeding, infectious agents, and possible habitat saturation pose new dilemmas. This intensive management program illustrates the challenges of maintaining populations of large predators worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study investigating pigmentation patterns in domestic and wild cats. The authors note that color markings among wild cat (felid) species display both diversity and a common underlying periodicity, arguing that a similar range of patterns in domestic cats suggests a conserved mechanism whose appearance can be altered by selection. Topics include the authors' identification of the gene responsible for tabby pattern variation in domestic cats, called Transmembrane aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep), which encodes a membrane-bound metalloprotease, the results of analyses of 31 other felid species, and a discussion of transgenic mouse studies that found paracrine expression of Endothelin3 (Edn3) coordinates localized color differences.

A response by authors W.E. Johnson et al. to a letter to the editor about their article "Genetic Restoration of the Florida Panther” in the September 24, 2010 issue is presented.