New cat species identified

*Raph's Girl* · 03-14-2007, 09:54 PM

Scientists have identified a leopard found on the South-East Asian islands of Borneo and Sumatra as a new species of great cat, the global nature protection body WWF reported on Thursday.

Genetic and skin tests on the creature, now dubbed the Bornean clouded leopard, or Neofelis diardi, have shown that it is almost as different from clouded leopards found on the Asian mainland as lions are from tigers, the Swiss-based WWF said.

"For over 100 years we have been looking at this animal and never realised that it was unique," said Stuart Chapman, coordinator of a WWF programme that aims at preserving the vast rain forests in a region known as the Heart of Borneo.

The announcement follows a December report from WWF saying dozens of new animal, fish, plant and tree species had recently been found on Borneo, one of the world's last frontiers for biodiversity but under threat from deforestation.

Clouded leopards were first described scientifically in 1821 by British naturalist Edward Griffith and were given the official name Neofelis nebulosa. Until now, the mainland and island animals were believed to be a single species.

But DNA tests at the National Cancer Institute in the United States, WWF said, found some 40 genetic differences, indicating that they had diverged about 1.4 million years ago.

By comparison, the WWF said, there are 56 genetic differences between lions and the common leopard.

The U.S. researchers' conclusions, it added, were backed up by results of studies of skin coloration and fur patterns by biologists working for Scotland's National Museums.

DOUBLE STRIPE

The island clouded leopard -- believed to number between 5, 000 and 11,000 in Borneo and between 3,000 and 7,000 in Sumatra -- has small cloud markings, a double stripe down its back and its greyer fur is darker than the mainland species, the WWF said.

The mainland leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, which is found from Nepal to southern China and throughout South-East Asia, has large clouds on the skin with fewer spots inside, only a partial dorsal stripe and tawny-coloured fur.

The Borneo leopard, said WWF, is the main predator on the island -- shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. It feeds on monkeys, small deer, birds and lizards, and has the longest canine teeth relative to size of any cat.

It is spread across most forested areas, from coastal areas to interior mountain ranges, but prefers dense lowland and hillside rainforest where its natural prey is largely found.

Its last great forest home is the Heart of Borneo, a wild mountainous region of 220,000 sq km (85,000 sq mile) -- five times the size of Switzerland -- in the center of the island, which the three governments last month pledged to protect.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070315/...t_leopard_dc_2

Raph's Girl note: Yay!! Kitty!!

*Spitfire* · 03-14-2007, 11:53 PM

I like how there's not a single picture of it on that article haha I looked it up on google, pretty cat.

*jeff the cheff* · 03-15-2007, 07:58 AM

WHAT theres no picture, then I'm not reading a single word of that article.

I wanna see i cute kitty witty

*Raph's Girl* · 03-15-2007, 12:06 PM

When I found the article last night there was no image of the new cat. But now there is! And here we go!

Beautiful!

*Masked Ninja* · 03-15-2007, 06:39 PM

Wow, they're dark! Pretty, indeed.

*Kunoichi_Haruko* · 03-15-2007, 08:24 PM

Dark & Lovely....

*Roseangelo* · 03-15-2007, 08:49 PM

Ok, on the off chance that someone else might find this humorous, I am providing this MP3.

A few months ago there was a new species of catfish found in Borneo. It has the distinctive characteristics of buck teeth and suction cup flippers. One of the talk radio shows I listen to during the day at work created a "character" out of this catfish named Butch, who has a distinctive southern accent. Well, today with the discovery of the new cat, Butch has a new friend. And thus, there is a new character. I nearly fell out of my chair.

This is the kind of thing that gets me through day.

*discordiatookie* · 03-16-2007, 09:39 PM

its a bonnie 'un, its fur reminds me of a giraffe!!

OA · 03-16-2007, 10:25 PM

Wow..beautiful cat...thnx for the pics Raphs Girl...its sad that just as soon as this cat was discovered it'll probably go extinct...

*Raph's Girl* · 03-18-2007, 01:10 PM

OMG.... You guys gotta see this!! It's the Bornean Cloud Leopard in action! Beautiful!!

http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_...pard/index.cfm

It's on the right side of the screen. A bit small but still awesome. At one point it's purring.

03-14-2007, 09:54 PM	#1
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	New cat species identified Scientists have identified a leopard found on the South-East Asian islands of Borneo and Sumatra as a new species of great cat, the global nature protection body WWF reported on Thursday. Genetic and skin tests on the creature, now dubbed the Bornean clouded leopard, or Neofelis diardi, have shown that it is almost as different from clouded leopards found on the Asian mainland as lions are from tigers, the Swiss-based WWF said. "For over 100 years we have been looking at this animal and never realised that it was unique," said Stuart Chapman, coordinator of a WWF programme that aims at preserving the vast rain forests in a region known as the Heart of Borneo. The announcement follows a December report from WWF saying dozens of new animal, fish, plant and tree species had recently been found on Borneo, one of the world's last frontiers for biodiversity but under threat from deforestation. Clouded leopards were first described scientifically in 1821 by British naturalist Edward Griffith and were given the official name Neofelis nebulosa. Until now, the mainland and island animals were believed to be a single species. But DNA tests at the National Cancer Institute in the United States, WWF said, found some 40 genetic differences, indicating that they had diverged about 1.4 million years ago. By comparison, the WWF said, there are 56 genetic differences between lions and the common leopard. The U.S. researchers' conclusions, it added, were backed up by results of studies of skin coloration and fur patterns by biologists working for Scotland's National Museums. DOUBLE STRIPE The island clouded leopard -- believed to number between 5, 000 and 11,000 in Borneo and between 3,000 and 7,000 in Sumatra -- has small cloud markings, a double stripe down its back and its greyer fur is darker than the mainland species, the WWF said. The mainland leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, which is found from Nepal to southern China and throughout South-East Asia, has large clouds on the skin with fewer spots inside, only a partial dorsal stripe and tawny-coloured fur. The Borneo leopard, said WWF, is the main predator on the island -- shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. It feeds on monkeys, small deer, birds and lizards, and has the longest canine teeth relative to size of any cat. It is spread across most forested areas, from coastal areas to interior mountain ranges, but prefers dense lowland and hillside rainforest where its natural prey is largely found. Its last great forest home is the Heart of Borneo, a wild mountainous region of 220,000 sq km (85,000 sq mile) -- five times the size of Switzerland -- in the center of the island, which the three governments last month pledged to protect. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070315/...t_leopard_dc_2 Raph's Girl note: Yay!! Kitty!! __________________

03-14-2007, 11:53 PM	#2
Spitfire Writer • Director Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 12,035	I like how there's not a single picture of it on that article haha I looked it up on google, pretty cat. __________________ Check out my online portfolio http://www.christopherpelletier.com/

03-15-2007, 12:06 PM	#4
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	When I found the article last night there was no image of the new cat. But now there is! And here we go! Beautiful! __________________

03-15-2007, 08:24 PM	#6
Kunoichi_Haruko A shell of a good hit! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Richmond, Va. Posts: 1,685	Dark & Lovely.... __________________

03-15-2007, 08:49 PM	#7
Roseangelo Emperor Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: California Posts: 9,120	Ok, on the off chance that someone else might find this humorous, I am providing this MP3. A few months ago there was a new species of catfish found in Borneo. It has the distinctive characteristics of buck teeth and suction cup flippers. One of the talk radio shows I listen to during the day at work created a "character" out of this catfish named Butch, who has a distinctive southern accent. Well, today with the discovery of the new cat, Butch has a new friend. And thus, there is a new character. I nearly fell out of my chair. This is the kind of thing that gets me through day. __________________ www.ninjapizza.net www.colorsbyrosemary.com

03-15-2007, 07:58 AM	#3
jeff the cheff Mad Scientist Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: 122 and an eighth Posts: 2,129	WHAT theres no picture, then I'm not reading a single word of that article. I wanna see i cute kitty witty

03-15-2007, 06:39 PM	#5
Masked Ninja Doodles TMNT for fun Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sploshin' through some sewer... Posts: 2,137	Wow, they're dark! Pretty, indeed.

03-16-2007, 09:39 PM	#8
discordiatookie facehugger Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland Posts: 2,817	its a bonnie 'un, its fur reminds me of a giraffe!! __________________ Oh Discordia! Charyou Tree! Come, Reap! Don't tell us to grow up and out of it I got my cloak and dagger in a bar room brawl You actually trying to read this tiny text? Damn, you're dedicated! This is all just for effect you know... original TMNT art collection

03-16-2007, 10:25 PM	#9
OA Scatter the nuns!! Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 3,981	Wow..beautiful cat...thnx for the pics Raphs Girl...its sad that just as soon as this cat was discovered it'll probably go extinct... __________________

03-18-2007, 01:10 PM	#10
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	OMG.... You guys gotta see this!! It's the Bornean Cloud Leopard in action! Beautiful!! http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_...pard/index.cfm It's on the right side of the screen. A bit small but still awesome. At one point it's purring. __________________

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