- At least 10 pages in length (not including bibliography or figures), double spaced, 12 point font
- A clear introduction with topic clearly stated
- Proper citations in text
- A bibliography with at least 10 sources
- Connect the topic to at least two separate evolutionary concepts (eg. convergent evolution, divergent evolution, molecular evolution)
- A clear synthesis of the information
- Your own conclusion on the topic separate from the literature (criticisms of literature, broadpatterns, etc)
- Propose a future direction/experiment that addresses your topic
Mia Hubbert
Abstract about White/Albino Tigers
White tigers are subspecies of tigers, which are rare because their fur color is dependent on a
defective and recessive gene passed from the parents. White tigers are rare in the wild today
compared to two centuries ago. This is because they are hunted and captured to be used in the
exotic pet trade. Currently, the white tiger can be found in some zoos and animal sanctuaries
worldwide. The white tiger has dark brown or black vertical stripes, similar to other species of
tigers. The difference is the color of the fur caused by the production of brown-to-black
pigmentation (eumelanin). The white tiger lacks red-to-yellow pigmentation (pheomelanin),
which is normally found in Bengal tigers. Additionally, the white tigers have a pink nose, pink
paw pads, and blue eyes. The white fur of the white tigers is a disadvantage because it does not
allow the animal to camouflage into the surrounding jungle. This could be one of the reasons
why the white tiger does not exist in the wild because other predators hunt them. The last white
tiger to be seen in the wild was in 1958 in India. Currently, most tigers are in captivity, making
them to be inbred. This means that reproduction can occur between parents and their offspring
or between siblings. This ensures that the continuity of the white tiger is maintained. The white
tiger is an endangered species, and most research articles discuss how they should be saved
from captivity. This is important because the white tigers should be placed in smaller zoos and
be allowed to live like other animals rather than be in captivity.
Abstract about White/Albino Tigers
White tigers are subspecies of tigers, which are rare because their fur color is dependent on a
defective and recessive gene passed from the parents. White tigers are rare in the wild today
compared to two centuries ago. This is because they are hunted and captured to be used in the
exotic pet trade. Currently, the white tiger can be found in some zoos and animal sanctuaries
worldwide. The white tiger has dark brown or black vertical stripes, similar to other species of
tigers. The difference is the color of the fur caused by the production of brown-to-black
pigmentation (eumelanin). The white tiger lacks red-to-yellow pigmentation (pheomelanin),
which is normally found in Bengal tigers. Additionally, the white tigers have a pink nose, pink
paw pads, and blue eyes. The white fur of the white tigers is a disadvantage because it does not
allow the animal to camouflage into the surrounding jungle. This could be one of the reasons
why the white tiger does not exist in the wild because other predators hunt them. The last white
tiger to be seen in the wild was in 1958 in India. Currently, most tigers are in captivity, making
them to be inbred. This means that reproduction can occur between parents and their offspring
or between siblings. This ensures that the continuity of the white tiger is maintained. The white
tiger is an endangered species, and most research articles discuss how they should be saved
from captivity. This is important because the white tigers should be placed in smaller zoos and
be allowed to live like other animals rather than be in captivity.
Annotated Bibliography
White Tigers
Annotated Bibliography
Mongera, A., & Dooley, C. M. (2013). Of White Tigers and Solute Tigers. Pigment Cell &
Melanoma Research, 787-789.
The white tiger is a rare variant that can be bred by two orange tigers. The white tiger
lacks the red-to-yellow pigment, which is known as pheomelanin. Instead, it has the
production of brown-to-black pigment, known as eumelanin. As a result, the tiger has normal
black or brown vertical stripes but lacks orange fur, which is substituted by light and white
fur. Additionally, the variant has other characteristics, including a pink nose, pink paw pads,
and blue eyes. The article indicates that the variant has albino mutations, for instance, the
tyrosinase gene.
This article is relevant to my topic is talks about the white tigers. It clearly states that
white tigers are a product of albinism, which is caused by the tyrosinase gene. Additionally,
the article talks about when the first white tiger was seen, which is in the 1500s in the Indian
subcontinent. Finally, the article is relevant because it also indicates that the white tigers are
descendants of Mohan (a male white tiger subjected to captivity in 1951 in the State of
Rewa).
Thornton, I. W., Yeung, K. K., & Sankhala, K. S. (1967). The genetics of the white tigers of
Rewa. Journal of Zoology, 152(1), 127-135.
The white tigers are bigger compared to the Bengal tigers. However, they lack the
agility of the orange tigers when hunting. The first white tiger was found in the 19th century
in Bengal, Assam, and Bihar. At the time, the total population of tigers in India was more
than 30,000. Out of 10,000 colored tigers, one is born white mainly due to mutation of the
coloring gene. Mohan was the last white tiger that was seen in the wild. However, his genetic
makeup has ensured the retaining of the endangered sub-species of the big cats in captivity.
This article is relevant to my topic because it talks about there is still the existence of
the rare variant of tigers. Furthermore, it indicates that the genetic makeup of Mohan, which
was distributed in the wild, has ensured that there are white tigers today, although not as
many. The article also talks about how white tigers are inbred with other subspecies of tigers
to create hybrid tigers.
Guillery, R. W. (1974). Visual Pathways in Albinos. Scientific American, 230(5), 44-58.
White tigers, albino rats, siamese cats, and pearl mink rats all exhibit genetic
abnormalities due to reduced pigmentation. The article also talks about the visual pathways of
these variants. The article mostly deals with the visual pathway of these subspecies,
especially the aspect of cross-eyed. The nerve fibers that are normally known to stay on their
side of the brain cross over to the opposite side, representing within the abnormal nucleus.
This article is relevant to my topic because it talks about the visual pathway of the
white tigers.
Cusack, C. M. (2016). Save the White Tiger. Journal of Law and Social Deviance, 12, 1-42.
The article talks about white tigers are mainly how they are captured. It shows how they are
bred and shows how they should be treated just like other animals and be left in the jungle.
The article is activism that talks about saving the white tigers and allowing them to be like
their counterpart colored tigers. It indicates that the white tigers should be protected and
should not be captured to be treated as pets, especially the curbs or used in shows. The article
also includes Biblical teachings to try and show that white tigers should be saved. The article
shows real-life instances and how white tigers are used in shows to entertain people. The
author feels that this is wrong to keep the white tigers as captives.
This article is relevant to my topic because it shows the existence of white tigers. It
also indicates that white tigers exist because they are inbred, making it possible to have more
white tigers in the world. Nonetheless, the article shows that the species is endangered.
Downes, A. (2021). The tragedy of the White Tiger. Scientific American, 325(3), p10-10.
The white tigers are caused by a genetic abnormality that occurs when two orange
tigers have rare recessive genes (alleles) breed. There are rare white tigers in the wild, and the
last one was seen in 1958, and it was killed. The cause of the rare existence of white tigers is
because one-time mutation. Additionally, they are unable to camouflage, making them targets
to predators. However, several white tigers are in captivity since collectors and exhibitors
choose to use them for profit. White tigers in captivity are bred, where siblings can be bred or
a parent white tiger with its offspring to ensure there is the production of white tigers. The
inbreeding practice is not allowed, but it is done illegally, mainly by those who use the white
tigers to attract paying visitors. This article is relevant to my topic because it talks about
white tigers. It shows that the white tiger is endangered and briefly explains the genetic
makeup of white tigers.
Robinson, R. (1969). The white tigers of Rewa and gene homology in the Felidae. Genetica,
40, 198-200.
The white tiger is a variated of a chinchilla tiger. The white tiger lacks yellow
pigmentation. The black pigment is changed to dark speia-brown pigmentation. The cause of
the white fur is due to a causative mutant gene, which is inherited as an autosomal recessive.
It is a homolog of chinchilla mutants. The gene mutation is what leads to the production of
white tigers. The reproduction of two orange tigers with the recessive gene can lead to the
production of a white tiger. Although this is rare, it is also possible. Additionally, white tigers
can be inbred to reproduce other white tigers. White tigers are rare in the wild but are
normally found in captivity. The recessive gene of the white tigers makes them be an
attraction. The article is relevant to my topic because it shows how white tigers can be
reproduced. It indicates that white tigers can be born from two orange tigers with the
recessive gene.
Cusack, C. M. (2017). Saving Captive White Tigers: An Assessment of an Animal Law
Treatise. Journal of Law and Social Deviance, 14, 1-23.
The article talks about the captivity of white tigers. It examines the effect of the legal
treatise. The article is written in line with the article “Save the White Tiger” by Cusack. The
article indicated that white tigers should be placed in smaller zoos. This article talks mainly
about animal activism and incorporates legal suggestions that can be imposed to ensure that
there is the safety of the white tigers. The article also shows how other activism activities
have occurred, and their efforts managed victoriously. The author believes that animal
activism should also take the same route, especially regarding white tigers.
The article is relevant to my topic because it talks about white tigers. It shows the
measures that should be taken to ensure that the white tiger is saved. Clearly, the white tiger
is an endangered species that should be protected. The article shows the different legal
actions that should be undertaken to ensure that white tigers are protected.
Xu, X., Dong, G.-X., Hu, X.-S., Miao, L., Zhang, X.-L., Zhang, D.-L., . . . Luo, S.-J. (2013).
The Genetic Basis of White Tigers. Current Biology, 23(11), 1031-1035.
The white tiger is a Bengal variant with white fur and dark stripes. It is a fascinating
animal that was discovered in India. Most white tigers are inbred in captivity to maintain the
autosomal recessive trait. This has led to the animals suffering several health problems,
making people question if the white tiger mutation is a genetic defect. The article states that
the phenotype genetic basis of the white tiger is not known. The research involved mapping
genomide-wide association and restricted the DNA sequencing using 16 tigers in captivity.
The research also involved dimensional homology modeling. The research results indicated
that the white tiger has a similar gene that causes color variation in horses, humans, and
poultry. It shows that the white tiger fur is caused by natural polymorphism, which is viable
in the wilderness. The article is relevant to my topic because it shows the genetic makeup of
white tigers. Additionally, it carried out research to find if the cause of the white fur is due to
natural polymorphism.
The Telegraph Online. (2012, May 9). Rare white tigers born in Ukraine; A white tiger in a
Ukrainian zoo has given birth to four rare tiger cubs, one of them an albino. Business
Insights.
The article talks about a white tiger that gave birth to four cubs, and one of them had
albinism. This shows that white tigers can also reproduce to give birth to white cubs and
orange tigers. The cause is because of the recessive gene in the parent tiger. The albino cub
was due to the recessive gene. This article is related to my topic because it talks about white
tigers. It shows that the cause of the white fur is due to genetic makeup and mutation.
Bennett, C. (2009). Albino tiger cub dies. The Times of India
The article is about an albino tiger cub that died. The white tiger is a rare variant that
can be bred by two orange tigers. The white tiger lacks the red-to-yellow pigment, which is
known as pheomelanin. Most white tigers are inbred in captivity to maintain the autosomal
recessive trait. The article indicates that the genetic makeup of Mohan, which was distributed
in the wild, has ensured that there are white tigers today, although not as many