What is the recognized subspecies category for the white tiger phenotype?
Answer
Panthera tigris tigris (Bengal tiger)
Scientifically, the white tiger is not recognized as a distinct subspecies but is instead overwhelmingly linked to the Bengal tiger subspecies, *Panthera tigris tigris*. Historically, the wild sightings of these animals occurred primarily across the Indian subcontinent, which is the native range of the Bengal tiger. Therefore, the white coloration is considered a specific trait or color morph existing within that specific subspecies population, rather than marking an independent lineage comparable to geographically defined subspecies like the Sumatran or Javan tigers. This linkage is crucial for accurate taxonomic placement beyond the species level.
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