Subspecies modern

Asiatic lion at Bristol.
Twelve subspecies are traditionally recognized, the largest being the Atlas lion disappeared during the twentieth century. The major differences between its various subdivisions of the species were the location and size of the mane and body: most of these previously described forms are now considered invalid because not taking into account the natural variability between individuals. Also, some descriptions of subspecies were based on specimens held by zoos, whose origin was not always certaines. In 2004, only eight subspecies are reconnues, among seven African subspecies proposed, the Cape lion (Panthera leo melanochaita) is probably not valide.
However, recent genetic analysis conducted on different subspecies of lion led to reduce the number of subspecies in two: in 2008, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) does not recognize and the Lion Africa (Panthera leo leo) and the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica)

The African lion (Panthera leo leo): formerly widespread throughout Africa, there is now only from the southern Sahara to northern South Africa;

The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) is very similar to the African lion. According to research biomolecular he parted there are 50 000-100 000 years of its African cousin. It has a mane and a fold lower in the middle of the belly. To this must be added a much larger hairs at the elbow. The Asiatic lion is generally smaller than the African. An adult male has a body mass between 160 and 190 kg, one female between 110 and 120 kg. It once extended throughout the Indian subcontinent. Group size is on average smaller than its African counterpart. The early twentieth century, the subspecies seemed destined to disappear: there was then more than twenty individuals. Gir Forest and its surroundings were then declared "protected" and in 1965 was created the National Park Gir Forest, the population could rise again up to 300 animals, which, however, are threatened by a land far too small ( 250 km ) and by a strong cross of related animals, which led to the loss of genetic diversity of these lions.