FIG 1.

Molecular phylogenetic of feline A3Z3 genes, phylogenetic relations of felid species, and the biogeographic distribution of felids. (Left) A maximum-likelihood tree of feline A3Z3 genes of 18 felids. The A3Z3 genes used are listed in Table 1. The phylogenetic tree was constructed as described in Materials and Methods. Bootstrap values are indicated as follows: *, >70%; **, >95%. Scale bar indicates 0.005 nucleotide substitutions per site. (Top right) The biogeographic distribution of felids. The data except for jaguar are from a previous study (15), and the distribution of jaguar is from the IUCN RED LIST (https://www.iucnredlist.org). Based on the previous report (15) and the IUCN RED LIST, the habitat of leopards is broad and spans African and Eurasian continents (Afro-Eurasia). (Bottom right) The phylogenetic relationship of felid species. The data are from a previous study (15). MYA, million years ago. Scale bar indicates 0.005 nucleotide substitutions per site. The colors of felid names and symbols are identical to those of their biogeographic distribution (top right).