Research overview: pedigree analysis in felid studbooks

Pedigree analysis uses recorded ancestry to estimate relatedness, inbreeding coefficients, and founder contributions that guide breeding decisions. This overview surveys how felid studbook pedigrees are analyzed to calculate kinship and inbreeding, identify gaps and uncertainties in ancestry, and inform pairing recommendations. It reviews the assumptions and limitations of pedigree-based estimates, the value of supplementing them with molecular genetic data, and how incomplete or erroneous records affect conclusions. The review connects pedigree analysis to mean kinship management and genome banking. Understanding pedigree analysis clarifies the data foundation of cooperative breeding, since the genetic management of felid populations depends on accurate ancestry records and the analytical methods that turn them into actionable guidance.