Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), a member of the species Protoparvovirus carnivoran1, is one of the most fatal pathogens of domestic and wild carnivores. The virus endemically infects domestic carnivores worldwide and its cross-species transmission threatens endangered wild carnivores, including Siberian tigers. In this study, a fatal FPV infection in endangered Siberian tigers was investigated to trace the origin of the virus and elucidate the reason behind FPV’s infection of the vaccinated tigers. Our genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the virus detected in the infected tigers, designated as the KTPV-2305 strain, was closely related to FPV strains circulating in Korean cats, suggesting that it might have been transmitted from stray cats wandering around the zoo. Compared with the prototype FPV reference strains, the KTPV-2305 strain carried three distinct amino acid (aa) mutations in the VP2 protein sequence (I101T, I232V, and L562V) in this study. These three mutations are commonly found in most global FPV strains, including Korean strains, indicating that these mutations are common evolutionary characteristics of currently circulating global FPVs. The reason why the vaccinated tigers were infected with FPV was most likely the insufficient protective immunity of the affected tigress or vaccine failure triggered by the interference of maternal-derived antibodies in the affected tiger cubs. These findings suggest that improved vaccination guidelines are urgently needed to save the lives of wild carnivores from this fatal virus.

Cacatua alba, Cacatua galerita, and Cacatua goffiniana are parrots of the family Cacatuidae. Wild populations of these species are declining with C. alba listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as Endangered. In this study, complete mitogenomes were sequenced for a comparative analysis among the Cacatua species, and a detailed analysis of the control region. Mitogenome lengths of C. alba,C. galerita, and C. goffiniana were 18,894, 18,900, and 19,084 bp, respectively. They included 13 protein coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 24 transfer RNA genes, three degenerated genes, and two control regions. Ten conserved motifs were found in three domains within each of the two control regions. For an evolution of duplicated control regions of Cacatua, domain I and the 3′ end of domain III experienced an independent evolution, while domain II and most of the regions of domain III was subjected to a concerted evolution. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of 37 mitochondrial genes, the genus Cacatua formed a well-supported, monophyletic, crown group within the Cacatuidae. Molecular dating results showed that Cacatua diverged from other genera of Cacatuinae in the middle of Miocene.

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in the health and physiology of tigers (Panthera tigris), influencing digestion, immune function, and overall well-being. While numerous studies have characterized the gut microbiota of domestic carnivores and some wild felids, comparative analyses across different tiger subspecies under varying environmental contexts remain limited. In this exploratory study, we investigated the gut microbiome diversity and composition of 15 captive tigers, including both Siberian (P. tigris altaica) and Bengal (P. tigris tigris) subspecies, housed in two different regions in Korea. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples, we analyzed microbial diversity across multiple taxonomic levels. Preliminary analyses revealed significant differences in microbial composition between geographic locations, whereas sex-based differences appeared minimal. Alpha and beta diversity metrics demonstrated substantial inter-individual variability, likely influenced by regional and environmental factors. Given the small sample size and the confounding between subspecies and housing location, the findings should be regarded as preliminary and not generalized beyond this specific cohort. Nevertheless, these insights highlight the potential utility of gut microbiome profiling for health monitoring and management in captive-tiger populations. Future research incorporating larger, more diverse cohorts will be essential to validate these trends and clarify the roles of diet, health status, and enrichment in shaping the gut microbiota.