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EFRC E-News>
New Leopard Species Discovered
March 19, 2007
EFRC E-News: March 19, 2007
New Leopard Species Discovered in Borneo
Late last week the World Wildlife Fund announced that a
leopard long thought to be related to its mainland cousin
(Borneo) is in fact a completely new species of leopard
that diverged from its nearest genetic relative nearly 1.4
million years ago.
The Bornean clouded leopard is darker than the mainland
species, sports many distinct spots within its cloud
markings, has greyer fur and a double dorsal stripe. There
are an estimated 5,000 to 11,000 clouded leopards living in
the jungles of Borneo, with another 3,000 to 7,000
estimated to live in Sumatra. The clouded leopard has the
longest canine teeth, relative to body size, of any exotic
feline.
With over 40 differences between the clouded leopard and
its nearest relative, this cat is as distinctive as any
other large cat species, such as tigers or lions.
For more on this story and a photo of a clouded leopard,
please visit:
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17619064
Please contact us at efrc1@verizon.net or (812) 835-1130.
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