New Species of Clouded Leopards Found

As reported by the BBC, scientists have concluded that Clouded leopards found on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo represent a new species (see other reports here and here).

Until now it had been thought they belonged to the species that is found on mainland southeast Asia. Scientists now believe the two species diverged more than one million years ago, and have evolved separately since. Clouded leopards are the biggest predators on Borneo, and can grow as large as small panthers.

Picture: The mainland clouded leopard (left) has been separated from its island cousin (right) for about 1.4 million years, research suggests:



The separation of the species was discovered through genetic research results. DNA tests highlighted around 40 differences between the two species. Supporting evidence came from examination of fur patterns. Leopards from Borneo and Sumatra have small "clouds" with many distinct spots within them, grey and dark fur, and twin stripes along their backs. Their mainland cousins have large cloud markings on their skin with fewer, often faint, spots within the cloud markings, and are lighter and more tawny in color. The WWF estimates there are between 5,000 and 11,000 clouded leopards on Borneo, with a further 3,000 to 7,000 on Sumatra.