# Study of 10 Namibian cheetahs finds hundreds of methylation changes after males take territory

- Published: 2026-11-10 21:47 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Biology & biochemistry
- Tags: cheetah epigenetics, DNA methylation in cheetahs, Namibian cheetahs, floater and territorial males, Molecular Ecology study, gene regulation, cheetah genetic diversity, Okavango Delta cheetahs
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-78a15623d3dc5e3ac863a8ac_study_of_10/

**Blood samples from ten males before and after they gained a territory showed altered DNA methylation linked to genes for brain and body development. The DNA sequence itself is unchanged.**

![Study of 10 Namibian cheetahs finds hundreds of methylation changes after males take territory](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/0c65687f97078be8.webp)
*ad-hoc-news.de*

Male cheetahs in Namibia show extensive changes in DNA methylation when they move from a roaming life to holding a territory. This is reported in a study published on 7 September 2026 in Molecular Ecology and covered by ad-hoc-news.de [1]. The DNA sequence stays the same, while gene regulation changes. The cheetah has exceptionally low genetic diversity, and it was long assumed that the species can adapt to changing conditions only to a limited degree [1].

## Floaters, territories and methylation

The researchers followed Namibian males over an extended period and focused on the transition from "floater" to territorial male. Floaters are adult males without a territory of their own. They roam and look for a chance to take one over. Once a male succeeds, he occupies an area, marks its borders and defends it against rival males [1].

DNA methylation is a set of chemical marks on DNA that can influence how strongly particular genes are activated. The team examined ten males, each with blood samples from both life stages. They identified hundreds of differentially methylated DNA regions. These were linked to genes involved in brain development, body development and various regulatory processes [1].

The males that became territorial gained about 7.5 kilograms of body mass on average [1]. The authors point out that it is not yet clear whether the epigenetic changes trigger the transition, accompany it or result from the new situation [1].

## Four brothers in the Okavango Delta

The source material was issued by the Matto Barfuss Stiftung. Wildlife filmmaker and cheetah expert Matto Barfuss is currently filming four cheetah brothers in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. The area is spatially restricted and has a high density of potential enemies and food competitors: lions, leopards and African wild dogs [1].

According to Barfuss, the adaptation of the four males began with establishing their own territory. The animals have held it for years and, in his observation, have a notable reproductive success rate. Females, unlike territorial males, are not tied to one location. They range over larger areas and seek out mating partners [1].

Whether the same epigenetic mechanisms operate in the four brothers as in the Namibian study populations has not been investigated [1].

## Sources

1. [ad-hoc-news.de](https://www.ad-hoc-news.de/wissenschaft/geparden-wie-anpassung-ohne-neue-gene-moeglich-wird/70485143)

---

Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-78a15623d3dc5e3ac863a8ac_study_of_10/