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New leopard species identified in Borneo: Neofilis diardi

Posted Mar 15, 2007 at 05:05PM by Gino D. Listed in: Animals and Wildlife Tags: Indonesia, Malaysia, Asia, DNA
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The Bornead clouded leopard (Neofilis Didi) - Image 1


The World Wildlife Fund (now called World Wide Fund for Nature) has introduced a new species into its great cat family. A new kind of the tree-hopping clouded leopard has been discovered in South-East Asia, in the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Right now, it's creatively dubbed as *drumroll* the Bornean clouded leopard. If you wanna be scientific about it, Neofelis diardi.

Although scientists have been observing this furry for a couple of years now, they never realized how unique it actually was. As early as 1821 (almost two centuries ago!), the clouded leopard was filed under Neofilis nebulusa. It's always been believed that the "stripe-spotted" great cats inhabiting both the mainlands and outlying islands have been of the same species. Until now, of course.

DNA tests from the National Cancer Institute have revealed that there are 40-odd genetic differences between the mainland cats and those in the Borneo islands. They've even dated this evolutionary branching to about 1.4 million years ago. Now just so you know, between lions and common leopards, there are around 56 genetic differences. Clearly, if two different leopards have 40-ish genetic differences, then that makes them unique enough to have their own scientific name descriptor.

Now as for the Bornean clouded leopard, they have the trademark clouded spots, but they sport 1) gray fur that's darker than their mainland cousins, 2) a double stripe down its back, and 3) the longest canine teeth relative to size of any other feline. They are the main predators in the islands, feeding on birds, lizards, monkeys, and small deer.

It's still to be confirmed if Steve Jobs has any form of influence in the identification of this leopard. (teehee!)

[Via Reuters] Permalink  |   Email this  |   Linking Blogs   |   Digg It!

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3 Comments


Sort by:
   by Codexenon (Unregistered) - 2007-03-15
 » Still Hope
They find still finding new animals I hoped deforestation don't kill the one left being discover. P.S Still hope for Bigfoot out there.

   by Advertising -
   by Codexenon (Unregistered) - 2007-03-15
 » Still Hope
They're still finding new animals I hoped deforestation don't kill the one left being discover. P.S Still hope for Bigfoot out there.

   by geek (Unregistered) - 2007-03-16
 » more science news pls
more science news pls



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