Domestic Cats: Their Exact Genetic Relations with Lions, Tigers, and Other Big Cats

Domestic cats, despite their small size and gentle demeanor, share surprising similarities with larger feline species within the Felidae family. Understanding these relationships not only sheds light on the evolutionary history of cats but also provides insight into their unique characteristics and traits. Let’s delve deeper into the genetic relations of domestic cats with lions, tigers, and other big cats.

Genetic Relations of Domestic Cats with Lions and Tigers

Within the Felidae family, lions P. leo and tigers P. tigris belong to the Panthera genus and the Pantherina subfamily, while domestic cats Felis catus are part of the Felis genus in the Felinae subfamily. These two subfamilies diverged around 10.8 million years ago, making lions and tigers more closely related to each other than to domestic cats. However, on a deeper evolutionary level, domestic cats share about 96 percent of their DNA with lions and tigers. This genetic similarity is comparable to the relationship between humans and orangutans, which share about 97 percent of their DNA with us versus the approximately 99 percent shared with chimpanzees.

Relationship with Pumas and Other Larger Felids

While domestic cats share less direct genetic ties with lions and tigers, they are more closely related to the puma Puma concolor and jaguarundi Herpailurus yagouaroundi. These species also belong to the broader Felidae family. Among these larger cats, the puma is the closest relative of the domestic cat, with their lineages splitting around 6 million years ago. Other wild felines, such as leopards and jaguars, are more distantly related but still part of the same family.

Evolutionary Lineage and Genus Felis

Domestic cats, as a member of the Felis genus, are closely related to smaller wild cats, including the African wildcat Felis silvestris and the jungle cat Felis chaus. These wild felines share a more recent common ancestry with domestic cats, indicating a closer evolutionary relationship compared to larger species like lions and tigers. The domestication of cats, which began around 10,000 years ago, has shaped their genetic makeup and behavior over millennia, making them distinct yet still fundamentally cats with feline characteristics.

Shared Traits Between Domestic Cats, Lions, and Tigers

Despite their differences in size and habitat, domestic cats, lions, and tigers share numerous physical and behavioral traits. All three species are characterized by retractable claws, agile bodies, and a natural inclination towards playfulness. These traits are common across the Felidae family, reflecting the evolutionary advantages that have enabled them to survive and thrive in various environments. Additionally, their social structures and hunting behaviors also share similarities, further highlighting the connections between these felines.