https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:2927 Diversity of selected toll-like receptor genes in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and African leopards (Panthera pardus pardus) Meißner, René René Meißner 0000-0003-2829-1607 University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Burger, Pamela A. Pamela A. Burger 0000-0002-6941-0257 University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Dalton, Desire Desire Dalton South African National Biodiversity Institute / Teesside University Horin, Petr Petr Horin University of Veterinary Sciences Brno Prost, Stefan Stefan Prost 0000-0002-6229-3596 South African National Biodiversity Institute / University of Oulu Kotze, Antoinette Antoinette Kotze South African National Biodiversity Institute / University of the Free State Labuschagne, Kim Kim Labuschagne South African National Biodiversity Institute Winter, Sven Sven Winter 0000-0002-1890-0977 University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Mokgokong, Prudent Prudent Mokgokong South African National Biodiversity Institute Pretorius, Chantelle Chantelle Pretorius South African National Biodiversity Institute / WWF South African Nature Portfolio text eng The anthropogenic impact on wildlife is ever increasing. With shrinking habitats, wild populations are being pushed to co-exist in proximity to humans leading to an increased threat of infectious diseases. Therefore, understanding the immune system of a species is key to assess its resilience in a changing environment. The innate immune system (IIS) is the body's first line of defense against pathogens. High variability in IIS genes, like toll-like receptor (TLR) genes, appears to be associated with resistance to infectious diseases. However, few studies have investigated diversity in TLR genes in vulnerable species for conservation. Large predators are threatened globally including leopards and cheetahs, both listed as 'vulnerable' by IUCN. To examine IIS diversity in these sympatric species, we used next-generation-sequencing to compare selected TLR genes in African leopards and cheetahs. Despite differences, both species show some TLR haplotype similarity. Historic cheetahs from all subspecies exhibit greater genetic diversity than modern Southern African cheetahs. The diversity in investigated TLR genes is lower in modern Southern African cheetahs than in African leopards. Compared to historic cheetah data and other subspecies, a more recent population decline might explain the observed genetic impoverishment of TLR genes in modern Southern African cheetahs. However, this may not yet impact the health of this cheetah subspecies. Humans; Animals; Acinonyxgenetics; Pantheragenetics; Animals, Wildgenetics; Ecosystem; Communicable Diseases http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/api/object/o:2927/download 10.1038/s41598-024-54076-y https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:605 application/pdf International Journal of Molecular Sciences 14(1) (2024) International Journal of Molecular Sciences 14 1 2.29 MB 2024