Skip to main content

Melanistic Tigers in Simlipal Tiger Reserve of Odisha

Parveen Kaswan, an officer of the Indian Forest Service (IFS), who frequently shares intriguing information about wildlife, recently on his X account, shared the captivating pictures of 'pseudo-melanistic' tigers discovered in Simlipal, Odisha.  Along with the photographs, he  has also shared comprehensive insights into its rarity and origins.

Melanistic Tiger
Melanistic Tigers in Simlipal Tiger Reserve

It is worth noting that these melanistic tigers, which possess a rare gene pool resulting in more prominent black stripes than those of the Royal Bengal Tiger, are exclusively found in Odisha. Due to their dense and dark stripe patterns, they are often referred to as 'black tigers'.

Simlipal Tiger Reserve

  • Situated in the Eastern Ghats, Simlipal Tiger Reserve is a renowned UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve, National Park, and Tiger Reserve. It is strategically positioned within the Mahanadian coastal region and the Chhotanagpur biotic province, covering a vast expanse of diverse biogeographical realms.
  • Simlipal is home to the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes not only the Simlipal Tiger Reserve but also Hadgarh and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary. This remarkable reserve showcases a wide range of vegetation, including both moist and dry deciduous forests as well as expansive grasslands.

Melanistic Tigers

  • The Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha is the sole habitat of melanistic tigers. Within this reserve, the population of melanistic tigers is unique, with 10 out of the 16 tigers in the park exhibiting this rare trait.
  • Melanistic tigers, a rare color variant of the Bengal tiger, possess a distinct appearance. Unlike their typical orange counterparts with dark stripes, these tigers exhibit a dark black or nearly black coat with barely visible stripes.
  • This unique dark coloration is a result of a genetic condition called melanism, which leads to an excessive development of dark pigmentation (melanin) in their skin and fur. It's important to note that melanistic tigers are not considered a separate subspecies but rather a color morph within the Bengal tiger population.
  • Interestingly, a single mutation in the gene Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep) is responsible for the melanistic tigers' broader stripes.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Delhi HC Upholds PepsiCo's Patent Claim for Lay's Potato Variety

The division bench of the Delhi High Court has recently ruled in favor of PepsiCo, granting them a patent for a specific potato variety used in their popular Lay's potato chips. PepsiCo wins Patent Case In 1989, PepsiCo, a renowned New York based  American snacks and beverages manufacturer, established its inaugural facility in India with the purpose of manufacturing potato chips. A specific variety of potato seeds was provided to a group of farmers by the company, who then exclusively sold their produce to PepsiCo at a predetermined price. In 2019, PepsiCo initiated a lawsuit against a select number of Indian farmers for cultivating the FC5 potato cultivar, claiming patent infringement. Additionally, the company sought compensation of over Rs 10 crore ($121,050) from each accused farmer for the alleged infringement. However, after several months, PepsiCo decided to withdraw the lawsuit. The varietal registration certificate for the potato variety 'FL-2027' awarded to...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is Ghol Fish and Why was it Declared as Gujarat's State Fish?

During the inauguration of the two-day Global Fisheries Conference India, 2023, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel, officially designated the "Ghol" or Blackspotted Croaker as the state fish. This decision was made due to the Ghol fish's significant presence in the marine regions of Gujarat and Maharashtra, making it a fitting representative of the state's aquatic life. Ghol: State Fish of Gujarat Ghol Fish Availibilty in the Ocean Region: The Ghol fish is a rare and valuable marine species that can be found in the Indo-Pacific region, spanning from the Persian Gulf to the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the largest fish species found in India, particularly in the marine areas of Gujarat and Maharashtra. With its impressive size and unique golden-brown coloring, the Ghol fish stands out as an emblematic species. Factors making Ghol Fish an Unique and Strong Competitior for State Fish:  This fish is highly sought after due to its rich nutritional composi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tantalum: Rare Metal found in Sutlej River

A rare metal discovered in the Sutlej River has the potential to revolutionize India's semiconductor industry. Tantalum, known for its unique properties, is widely used in electronics due to its ability to store electricity efficiently in capacitors. A rare metal found in Sutlej River In March 2024, Tantalum was  found in t he Sutlej River  by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar (Punjab). It is a scarce metal utilized in the production of electronic components, has sparked curiosity in investigating the riverbed to assess the abundance of tantalum deposits. All about Tantalum: Tantalum, a rare metal with the atomic number 73, was first discovered in 1802 by Swedish chemist Anders Gustaf Ekenberg. It is known for its grey color, heavy weight, and remarkable corrosion resistance. When exposed to air, tantalum forms an oxide layer. Additionally, pure tantalum is ductile, allowing it to be stretched into thin wires without breaking. It exhibits excepti...
Post a Comment
Read more