Snow leopards' low genetic diversity puts future at risk

A new study reveals that low genetic diversity among snow leopards increases their extinction risk, threatening not only the species but also the ecosystems they support.

• Researchers discovered that snow leopards exhibit low genetic diversity, which has likely persisted for an extended period, heightening their vulnerability as a big cat species.
• The study emphasizes that the decline of snow leopards could indicate broader ecosystem degradation, underscoring their role as a keystone species in mountainous habitats.
• Comparative analysis with other big cats, like the cheetah, highlights that low genetic variability limits adaptive responses to environmental changes for snow leopards.
• Conservationists plan to leverage these findings to implement targeted strategies for preserving snow leopards and their habitats in Asia's mountain ranges.