Sunda clouded leopard
Sunda clouded leopard Temporal range: Early Pleistocene to recent
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A Bornean clouded leopard, lower Kinabatangan River, eastern Sabah, Malaysia | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Suborder: | Feliformia |
Family: | Felidae |
Subfamily: | Pantherinae |
Genus: | Neofelis |
Species: | N. diardi
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Binomial name | |
Neofelis diardi (G. Cuvier, 1823)
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Subspecies | |
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Distribution of Sunda clouded leopard, 2016[1] |
The Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) is a medium-sized wild cat native to Borneo and Sumatra. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2015, as the total effective population probably consists of fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with a decreasing population trend. On both Sunda Islands, it is threatened by deforestation.[1] It was classified as a separate species, distinct from the clouded leopard in mainland Southeast Asia based on a study in 2006.[2] Its fur is darker with a smaller cloud pattern.[3][4]
This cat is also known as the Sundaland clouded leopard, Enkuli clouded leopard,[1] Diard's clouded leopard,[5] and Diard's cat.[6]
Characteristics
The Sunda clouded leopard is overall grayish yellow or gray hue. It has a double midline on the back and is marked with small irregular cloud-like patterns on shoulders. These cloud markings have frequent spots inside and form two or more rows that are arranged vertically from the back on the flanks.[3] It can purr as its hyoid bone is ossified. Its pupils contract to vertical slits.[7]
It has a stocky build and weighs around 12 to 26 kg (26 to 57 lb). Its
Distribution and habitat
The Sunda clouded leopard is restricted to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. In Borneo, it occurs in lowland rainforest, and at lower density in logged forest below 1,500 m (4,900 ft). In Sumatra, it appears to be more abundant in hilly, montane areas. It is unknown if it still occurs on the Batu Islands close to Sumatra.[1]
Between March and August 2005, tracks of clouded leopards were recorded during field research in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Sabah. The population size in the 56 km2 (22 sq mi) research area was estimated to be five individuals, based on a capture-recapture analysis of four confirmed animals differentiated by their tracks. The density was estimated at eight to 17 individuals per 100 km2 (39 sq mi). The population in Sabah is roughly estimated at 1,500–3,200 individuals, with only 275–585 of them living in totally protected reserves that are large enough to hold a long-term viable population of more than 50 individuals.[8] Density outside protected areas in Sabah is probably much lower, estimated at one individual per 100 km2 (39 sq mi).[9]
In Sumatra, it was recorded in
Clouded leopard
Ecology and behaviour
The habits of the Sunda clouded leopard are largely unknown because of the animal's secretive nature. It is assumed that it is generally solitary. It hunts mainly on the ground and uses its climbing skills to hide from dangers.[citation needed]
Taxonomy and evolution
Felis diardi was the
Results of
Molecular, craniomandibular, and dental analysis indicates the Sunda clouded leopard has two distinct subspecies with separate evolutionary histories:[17]
- Bornean clouded leopard (N. d. borneensis)
- Sumatran clouded leopard (N. d. diardi)
Both populations are estimated to have diverged during the
Threats
Sunda clouded leopards being strongly
Since the early 1970s, much of the forest cover has been cleared in southern Sumatra, in particular lowland
The population status of Sunda clouded leopards in Sumatra and Borneo has been estimated to decrease due to
There have been reports of poaching of Sunda clouded leopards in Brunei's Belait District where locals are selling their pelts at a lucrative price.[21]
In Indonesia, the Sunda clouded leopard is threatened by illegal hunting and trade. Between 2011 and 2019, body parts of 32 individuals were seized including 17 live individuals, six skins, several canines and claws. One live individual seized in Jakarta had been ordered by a Kuwaiti buyer.[22]
Conservation
Neofelis diardi is listed on
Since November 2006, the Bornean Wild Cat and Clouded Leopard Project based in the Danum Valley Conservation Area and the Tabin Wildlife Reserve aims to study the behaviour and ecology of the five species of Bornean wild cat — bay cat, flat-headed cat, marbled cat, leopard cat, and Sunda clouded leopard — and their prey, with a focus on the clouded leopard; investigate the effects of habitat alteration; increase awareness of the Bornean wild cats and their conservation needs, using the clouded leopard as a flagship species; and investigate threats to the Bornean wild cats from hunting and trade in Sabah.[23]
The Sunda clouded leopard is one of the focal cats of the project Conservation of Carnivores in Sabah based in northeastern Borneo since July 2008. The project team evaluates the consequences of different forms of forest exploitation for the abundance and density of felids in three commercially used forest reserves. They intend to assess the conservation needs of these felids and develop species specific conservation action plans together with other researchers and all local stakeholders.[24]
Names
The scientific name of the genus Neofelis is a composite of the Greek word νεο- meaning "new, fresh, strange", and the Latin word feles meaning "cat", so it literally means "new cat."[25][26]
The Indonesian name for the clouded leopard rimau-dahan means "tree tiger" or "branch tiger".[27] In Sarawak, it is known as entulu.[28]
See also
- Carnivorans discovered in the 2000s
- Sunda Islands
- List of largest cats
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Hearn, A.; Ross, J.; Brodie, J.; Cheyne, S.; Haidir, I. A.; Loken, B.; Mathai, J.; Wilting, A. & McCarthy, J. (2016). "Neofelis diardi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136603A97212874. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ PMID 17141620.
- ^ S2CID 6838593.
- ^ Kitchener, A. C.; Breitenmoser-Würsten, C.; Eizirik, E.; Gentry, A.; Werdelin, L.; Wilting, A.; Yamaguchi, N.; Abramov, A. V.; Christiansen, P.; Driscoll, C.; Duckworth, J. W.; Johnson, W.; Luo, S.-J.; Meijaard, E.; O’Donoghue, P.; Sanderson, J.; Seymour, K.; Bruford, M.; Groves, C.; Hoffmann, M.; Nowell, K.; Timmons, Z. & Tobe, S. (2017). "A revised taxonomy of the Felidae: The final report of the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group" (PDF). Cat News (Special Issue 11): 65−66.
- ISBN 978-0-2261-4576-1.
- ISBN 978-0-8018-9533-3.
- ISBN 978-0-8008-8324-9.
- PMID 17092347.
- .
- ^ Holden, J. (2001). "Small cats in Kerinci Seblat National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia: evidence collected through photo-trapping". Cat News (35): 11–14.
- ^ Pusparini, W.; Wibisono, H. T.; Reddy, G. V.; Tarmizi; Bharata, P. (2014). "Small and medium sized cats in Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia". Cat News (Special issue 8): 4–9.
- .
- ^ Hutujulu, B.; Sunarto; Klenzendorf, S.; Supriatna, J.; Budiman, A.; Yahya, A. (2007). "Study on the ecological characteristics of clouded leopard in Riau, Sumatra". In J. Hughes; M. Mercer (eds.). Felid Biology and Conservation: Programme and Abstracts. An International Conference, 17–20 September 2007, Oxford. Oxford: Oxford University, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit. pp. 17−21.
- doi:10.1644/BER-010.
- ^ Cuvier, G. (1823). "Des ossemens des grands Felis". Recherches sur les ossemens fossiles : où l'on rétablit les caractères de plusieurs animaux dont les révolutions du globe ont détruit les espèces. Volume IV: Les ruminans et les carnassiers fossiles. Paris: G. Dufour & E. d'Ocagne. pp. 407−456.
- .
- ^ PMID 21074625.
- .
- ^ Rautner, M.; Hardiono, M. & Alfred, R. J. (2005). Borneo: treasure island at risk. Status of Forest, Wildlife, and related Threats on the Island of Borneo (PDF) (Report). Germany: WWF.
- ^ Povey, K.; Sunarto, H. J.G.; Priatna, D.; Ngoprasert, D.; Reed, D.; Wilting, A.; Lynam, A.; Haidai, I.; Long, B.; Johnson, A.; Cheyne, S.; Breitenmoser, C.; Holzer, K.; Byers, O., eds. (2009). Clouded Leopard and Small Felid Conservation Summit Final Report (PDF) (Report). Apple Valley, MN: IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group.
- ^ Shahminan, F. & Begawan, B. S. (2010). "Poaching threatens clouded leopards". The Brunei Times. Archived from the original on 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
- S2CID 233286106.
- ^ Hearn, A.; Ross, J. (2006). "Bornean Wild Cat and Clouded Leopard Project" (PDF). Cat Project of the Month – November 2006. IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group.
- ^ Wilting, A.; Mohamed, A. (2009). "Consequences of different forest management strategies for felids in Sabah, Malaysia" (PDF). Cat Project of the Month – May 2009. IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group.
- ^ Liddell, H. G.; Scott, R. (1889). "νεοs". An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
- ^ Lewis, C. T. (1890). "fēlēs or faelēs". An Elementary Latin Dictionary. New York, Cincinnati, and Chicago: American Book Company.
- ^ Horsfield, T. (1825). "Description of the Rimau-Dahan of the inhabitants of Sumatra, a new species of Felis, discovered in the forests of Bencoolen, by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, late Lieutenant-Governor of Fort Marlborough". Zoological Journal. 1: 542–554.
- ^ "Clouded Leopards seen at Mount Santubong". The Borneo Post. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
External links
- "Sunda clouded leopard Neofelis diardi". IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group.
- "Bornean Clouded Leopard Programme".
- "Clouded Leopard Conservation and Research in Borneo".
- "Clouded leopard: First film of new Asia big cat species". BBC Earth News. 10 February 2010.
- "Rare leopard caught on candid camera". New Scientist.
- "Diard's clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi)". Arkive. Archived from the original on 2018-04-13.
Older newspaper articles still online:
- "Borneo Clouded Leopard Classified as New Species". The Clouded Leopard Project. March 2007.
- "Island leopard deemed new species". BBC News. March 2007.
- "New leopard species found in Borneo". NBC News. March 2007.
- "Photo in the News: New Leopard Species Announced". National Geographic. March 2007. Archived from the original on March 19, 2007.