The consequences of demographic reduction and genetic depletion in the endangered Florida panther.
The Florida panther has recently suffered severe range and demographic contraction, leaving a remarkably low level of genetic diversity. This exerts a severe fitness cost, manifested by spermatozoal defects, cryptorchidism, cardiac abnormalities and infectious diseases that threaten the survival of the subspecies.
Roelke
M E
ME
Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, Wildlife Research Laboratory, Gainesville, Florida 32601, USA.
Martenson
J S
JS
O'Brien
S J
SJ