Having amassed non-invasively collected samples from 73 tigers from 28 Indian reserves, Mondol, Karanth, and Ramakrishnan have published a comprehensive study of genetic variation in tigers in PLoS Genetics. Incorporating information on mitochondrial haplotypes and microsatellite allelic diversity from previous studies, their additional data from the wild tiger populations in India demonstrate that the greatest extent of tiger genetic diversity resides in the Indian subcontinent. The expansion and refinement of knowledge pertaining to tiger phylogeography and population genetics comes at a time when small population vulnerabilities, poaching, and habitat loss conspire to produce an apocalypse for these charismatic cats.

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