A groundbreaking genetic analysis of the critically endangered Arabian leopard has shown that the big cat is closely related to its Asian cousins than its African counterparts.
The research has yielded useful information to breeding programmes that are under way.
It is the first time that researchers have fully sequenced the complete set of genetic material, known as the genome, of Arabian leopards.
Known scientifically as Panthera pardus nimr, the Arabian leopard is classed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, although several countries, including the UAE, are making efforts through captive breeding to increase numbers.
You could be sending a leopard from Saudi Arabia to the UAE. You think, because they’re coming from other places, they’re not related, but they could be related
Gabriel Mochales-Riano,
doctoral student at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona and study author
The two individuals' genetic sequences were generated in Saudi Arabia from blood samples before the information was analysed by researchers in countries, including Spain.
The genetic data indicates that there has been a “prolonged” decline in the size of the population of the Arabian leopard, which has caused the loss of much genetic diversity.
There are thought to be fewer than 200 Arabian leopards left in the wild in Oman and Yemen, with possibly some still roaming free in Saudi Arabia.
The Arabian leopard is typically smaller than its cousins in Africa and has a striking appearance with a light-coloured coat.
In suggesting that the Arabian leopard is more similar to the Asian leopard, than to leopards in Africa, the analysis indicates that there was a single dispersal event of leopards out of Africa, possibly echoing how modern humans migrated from the continents.
The genetic study, published in the Cell Press journal, could be the beginning of wider efforts to sequence the genetic material of Arabian leopards.
“If you're managing a breeding centre, you should have the genetic profile of each individual you have on your breeding programme,” said Prof Salvador Carranza, one of the senior authors of the study and director of the Institute of Evolutionary Biology at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona.
Gabriel Mochales-Riano, a doctoral student in Prof Carranza's laboratory and the paper's first author, said that without carrying out genetic analysis, breeding programmes could cross individuals that were very similar to one another.
“You could be sending a leopard from Saudi Arabia to the UAE. You think, because they’re coming from other places, they’re not related, but they could be related,” he said.
When breeding in captivity, it is important to avoid having individuals that are genetically similar with one another.
This is because animals that inherit the same form of any particular gene from both parents are more likely to display traits that are harmful.
Prof Carranza said that when producing profiles, it was important to use the full set of genetic material rather than, as has often been the case in studies, looking just at what is called mitochondrial DNA.
Mitochondria are tiny “organelles” found within cells that release energy and have a small amount of their own genetic material, which is inherited only from the mother.
With the Arabian leopard, previous analysis with mitochondrial DNA indicated that the creatures were more closely related to leopards in Africa, but genomic analysis – which involves looking at orders of magnitude – shows, instead, that they are more similar to leopards in Asia.
“The previous reports were based on mitochondrial DNA. We advocate for the use of genomic data. Mitochondrial DNA has been used a lot in the past but it should not be used for conservation,” said Prof Carranza, who has also carried out extensive genetic studies on reptiles in the UAE.
While the numbers of Arabian leopards in the wild have fallen precipitously as a result of hunting, habitat loss and a lack of prey, significant efforts are in place to try to protect the subspecies' future.
Sharjah's Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife has a programme to increase the numbers of Arabian leopards while Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has a $25 million Arabian Leopard Fund to preserve and grow populations. There are also efforts in Oman to increase numbers.
The RCU has taken over the breeding centre in Taif and, in partnership with American organisation Panthera, is working to increase numbers in captivity.
A new breeding centre will be established in AlUla, an area in north-west Saudi Arabia, where eventually the animals could be released into the wild in protected areas.
GCC-UK%20Growth
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Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The past Palme d'Or winners
2018 Shoplifters, Hirokazu Kore-eda
2017 The Square, Ruben Ostlund
2016 I, Daniel Blake, Ken Loach
2015 Dheepan, Jacques Audiard
2014 Winter Sleep (Kış Uykusu), Nuri Bilge Ceylan
2013 Blue is the Warmest Colour (La Vie d'Adèle: Chapitres 1 et 2), Abdellatif Kechiche, Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux
2012 Amour, Michael Haneke
2011 The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick
2010 Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (Lung Bunmi Raluek Chat), Apichatpong Weerasethakul
2009 The White Ribbon (Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte), Michael Haneke
2008 The Class (Entre les murs), Laurent Cantet
SHAITTAN
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Torque: 146Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
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Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Thor: Ragnarok
Dir: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson
Four stars
THE BIO
Favourite author - Paulo Coelho
Favourite holiday destination - Cuba
New York Times or Jordan Times? NYT is a school and JT was my practice field
Role model - My Grandfather
Dream interviewee - Che Guevara
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra
Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa
Rating: 4/5
Bawaal%20
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Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Naga
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