Abstract: The Snow leopard (Panthera uncia)is one of the most threatened wild big cats within its range of distribution，however，the question of its systematic status is a matterof debate.Is it a member of genus Pathern，or is it in its own genus( uncia)? The analysis of genetic difference at the DNA level may provide useful data to clarify the issue.In the present study，ten hexanucleotide pecific restricti0n endonncieases were used to evaluate the patterns of mitochondriaI DN A variation between the Snow leopard and leopar(P.ardus).The molecular size of mt DNA from the two species was about 16.5kb．Ten enzymes surveyed 32～34 restriction sites.witch corresponded to 192～204 base
pairs,or 1.16~1.24﹪of the total mtDNA molecule.A total of 45 restriction siteswere mapped;of these sites，twenty-four，which correspond to 53.3% the hotel sites, were variable.The sequence divergence between them was 0.075 33， which was undoubtedly
in the species—level distinction but did not reach the genus leve1． Therefore，the Snow leopard should be placed in the genus Panthera rather than in its own ganus．It also seems reasonable to recognize Uncia as a valid subgenus． This conclusion not only support but also supplement the viewpoint of Sirapson who treated Unciaas subgenus
within Panthera

Key words: Pantherd, Snow leopard (Pastthera uncia), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Restriction maps

摘要： 本文构建了雪豹和金钱豹的限制性内切酶图谱。通过限制性酶谱的比较。探讨营豹的属级分类地位。结果表明。两物种的mtDNA基因组明显趋异。其遗传距离为O.075 33。但这种差异根据文献记载。似乎未到属级分化程度，故认为雪豹不应单立为属。而是豹属的一员。但鉴于彗豹在形态、行为、核型和mtDNA等方面。不同于豹属其他种类。我们认为雪豹应电豹属中的一十有效亚属。

关键词: 豹属, 雪豹 金钱豹, 线粒体DNA, 限制性内切酶图谱