Destruction of limited resources and habitats is associated with recent urban population and industry expansions. Habitats of many species have become sectionalized or completely isolated. The main concern of conservation are habitat and genetic variability retention. A prominent example of environmental preservation is the Florida panther. Although this species survives in diverse habitats, spatial reductions for agriculture, mining, and urban growth have severely impacted the population. Because of an increased mining industry in and around panther habitats, toxic chemicals, such as mercury, dangerously increased in blood samples of many panthers and further threatened health.
Efforts to expand the Florida panther range into central Florida have met some success as long as new areas connect to older, established habitats. Poor evaluations on individual panther ranges, habitat requirements, and the number of panthers capable of migrating all negatively impacted the territorial predictions, but governmental land use designation is one of the largest enemies to the panther. Large-scale land protection is the simplest method of preserving the panther since heavily managing isolated populations is both expensive and difficult. Estimates on the panther’s population size involve radio-tracking and traditional footprint and feces methods.
Other than habitat loss, disease is a major threat to the perseverance of the subspecies. For a full century the Florida panther population remained under 500 individuals and resulted in significant inbreeding with low rates of fecundity and high levels of heart disease. Sperm counts in Florida panthers were 95% malformed, the worst of any known species. The high levels of genetic similarity also threated the population from many types of pathogens. An outbreak of Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) from 2002 to 2005 debilitated a majority of the population. Fecundity rates remain low in the Florida panther due to transmammary infections that kill newborn kittens.
By the late 1980s the panther population faltered between 15 to 30 individuals. Large-scale public support brought 8 female panthers from eastern Texas in 1995 that were introduced to Florida habitats to repopulate and decrease the severe level of inbreeding. As genetic variability rebounded, the population tripled. Genetic heterozygosity doubled but remains insufficient to recover the population if current rates of inbreeding continue. Inter-crossed individuals show higher litter success rates, little heart trouble, and increased sperm counts.
Habitat protection is essential for the survival of the Florida panther. To increase the genetic variability and avoid extreme management of the subspecies, territorial expansion and habitat extensions are necessary. Although introduction of several Texan panthers in 1995 successfully boosted population numbers via reproduction and reduced phenotypic signs of heavy inbreeding depression, isolated populations remain at risk for diseases. Leukemia, immunodeficiency, and transmammary diseases all play determining roles in the newly diversified genome. While urban development and habitat destruction play a large factor in the existence of the Florida panther, genetic variability and disease susceptibility will determine their success in expanding the population size and range.
Despite these ongoing difficulties, threats, and risks, the Florida population of Puma concolor has rebounded since its near extinction in the mid-1980s. Through determined conservation effort, widespread public support, and governmental recognition of habitat lands, the Florida panther has seen a resurgence in numbers and health. While the subspecies is still mired in the problems of small population numbers, two decades of intense efforts have secured the species for the enjoyment of the next generation.
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Agatha Tyche
Agatha Tyche
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