Are Lions and Tigers More Closely Related Than Cougars?

Lions and tigers are more closely related than cougars.

Here is why:

Lions and tigers belong to the same genus, Panthera. This means they are very closely related, having diverged relatively recently in evolutionary history.
Cougars belong to the genus Puma. This places them further down the evolutionary tree, making them less closely related to lions and tigers.

While all three are members of the cat family (Felidae), lions and tigers share a more recent common ancestor.

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