Question

List three traits of the Florida panther that were likely due to inbreeding

Answer 1

The Florida panther is a subspecies of North American puma. A number of abnormalities existed in them due to the process of inbreeding. Inbreeding is the production of offspring from mating among close relatives. Inbreeding usually occurs in small, isolated populations such as the Florida panther population. It generally results in increased birth defects, lower genetic variation, and reduced fitness. The main abnormal traits seen in florida panther due to inbreeding are as follows:

• Atrial septal defect
• Cryptorchidism
• Many panthers had kinked tails for the last five vertebrae