Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of the Black-Footed Cat: Insights into Felis's Deadliest Predator
Victoria B. Grant, Kelsie E. Hunnicutt, Michelle Schroeder, Martina Küsters, Jonas Oppenheimer, Shreya M. Banerjee, John James Baczenas, Dmitri A. Petrov, Jacqueline M. Bishop, Nadine Lamberski, Beryl Wilson, Alexander Sliwa, Beth Shapiro, Katherine A. Solari, Stepfanie M. Aguillon, , Molly E. Schumer
This study sequenced whole genomes of black-footed cats to analyze their population structure and genetic diversity, finding low diversity but no long runs of homozygosity and evidence of recent population contraction.
bioRxiv · Jun 2, 2026 · PreprintEvolutionary Biology