19196 – Part A 1 2 Fiber type and metabolic characteristics of lion ( Panthera leo ) , caracal ( Caracal caracal ) and 3 human skeletal muscle 4 5

2 Fiber type and metabolic characteristics of lion (Panthera leo), caracal (Caracal caracal) and 3 human skeletal muscle 4 5 ABSTRACT 26 Lion (Panthera leo) and caracal (Caracal caracal) skeletal muscle samples from Vastus lateralis, 27 Longissimus dorsi and Gluteus medius were analyzed for fiber type and citrate synthase (CS), 3-28 hydroxyacyl Co A dehydrogenase (3HAD), phopshofructokinase (PFK), creatine kinase (CK), 29 phosphorylase (PHOS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and compared to human 30 runners, the latter also serving as validation of methodology. Both felids had predominantly type 31 IIx fibers (range 50 – 80%), whereas human muscle had more type I and IIa. Oxidative capacity of 32 both felids (CS: 5 – 9 µmol/min/g ww and 3HAD: 1.4 – 2.6 µmol/min/g ww) was lower than 33 humans, whereas the glycolytic capacity was elevated. LDH activity of caracal (346 ± 81) was 34 higher than lion (227 ± 62 µmol/min/g ww), with human being the lowest (55 ± 17). CK and PHOS 35 activities were also higher in caracal and lion compared to human, but PFK was lower in both felid 36 species. The current data and past research are illustrated graphically showing a strong 37 2 relationship between type II fibers and sprinting ability in various species. These data on caracal 38 and lion muscle confirm their sprinting behavior. 39 40