The Addis Ababa Lions: whole-genome sequencing of a rare and precious population.

Lions are widely known as charismatic predators that once roamed across the globe, but their populations have been greatly affected by environmental factors and human activities over the last 150 years. Of particular interest is the Addis Ababa lion population, which has been maintained in captivity at around 20 individuals for over 75 years, while many wild African lion populations have become extinct. In order to understand the molecular features of this unique population, we conducted a whole genome sequencing study on fifteen Addis Ababa lions, and detected 4.5 million distinct genomic variants compared with the reference African lion genome. Using functional annotation, we identified several genes with mutations that potentially impact various traits such as mane color, body size, reproduction, gastrointestinal functions, cardiovascular processes, and sensory perception. These findings offer valuable insights into the genetics of this threatened lion population.