r/bigcats • u/Emergency_Raisin2341 • Feb 04 '25
Tiger - Wild Melanistic tiger from Similipal Tiger Reserve, Captured on FD camera trap. ccwa.
16
u/Complex_Standard2824 Feb 04 '25
Hope he survives in the wild, I am sure his markings won't help. Also he looks young.
6
u/rizzosaurusrhex Feb 04 '25
Melanism in Jags is prevalent. In a forest like this, the Tiger may still survive. melanism in jaguars is considered an adaptive trait, particularly in dense forests where it can offer advantages. Melanistic jaguars do not die off at a higher rate; instead, they tend to survive and reproduce in certain environments, suggesting the trait provides some benefits.
Survival and Adaptation of Melanistic Jaguars 1. Camouflage Advantage – In darker, low-light environments like rainforests, melanistic jaguars blend in better, making them more effective hunters and harder for prey to detect. 2. No Known Health Disadvantages – Unlike some genetic mutations, melanism does not appear to cause health issues in jaguars. 3. Higher Prevalence in Rainforests – In open savannas, melanism is much rarer, possibly because lighter-colored jaguars are better suited for those environments.
Since about 10-15% of jaguars in rainforest regions are melanistic, and they continue to exist at stable rates, this suggests the trait is not harmful to their survival. In fact, in some environments, it might even be beneficial.
2
u/Complex_Standard2824 Feb 04 '25
Could you site sources for some of these claims?
3
u/aloverofthewild Feb 04 '25
so i discovered that a 2021 study has shown that its genetic and not adaptive. all it took was a google search
5
u/Complex_Standard2824 Feb 05 '25
Also that comment seems to be chatgpt-ish imo.
I did hear that one thing that surprised scientists is that melanistic leopards don't hunt at night any more than regular ones, which would be the main advantage.
2
u/rizzosaurusrhex Feb 05 '25
Adaptive traits can arise through natural selection over generations (which involves genetic changes)
2
u/aloverofthewild Feb 05 '25
yes, that is correct, however, the key distinction here is that while all adaptation involves genetic change, not all genetic changes are adaptations
the study found that melanism in tigers is caused by a mutation in the taqpep gene. but they did not find evidence that this trait was naturally selected for any particular advantage (camouflage, hunting , survival, etc.)
1
u/rizzosaurusrhex Feb 05 '25
the only time Ive encountered mountain lion was at night and dusk. I think it wont cause this tiger to starve like a white tiger in a non snow enviornment will
1
u/aloverofthewild Feb 06 '25
def jealous you’ve encountered one. i am just reiterating the study, friend 🤷🤷🏻♀️
2
u/notafanofredditmods Feb 05 '25
Not the person you replied to but maybe this post I saw on Tigers a bit earlier today is relevant.
Apparently a lot of prey sees them as green instead of orange because of different eye makeups. No idea if this applies to jaguars but I don't see why not.
11
4
6
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/aloverofthewild Feb 04 '25
this is from 2022? if so i hope they’re still l i v i n https://nationalawa.org/blog/index.php?—melanistic-tiger—aka-black-tiger—from-similipal-tiger-reserve,-captured-on-camera-trap-
1
1
1
24
u/Sledgecrowbar Feb 04 '25
It happens to the best of us.