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Leopard Cat Research
Tsushima Leopard Cat p.b. tsushimansisTwo Japanese wildcats, the Tsushima cat and the Iriomote cat, show the same mitochondrial DNA lineage as the Leopard Cat Felis bengalensis.
by Masuda R, Yoshida MC.
Chromosome Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Revealed, based on mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis, that the Iriomote cat is very closely related to the leopard cat Felis bengalensis, which is widespread in Asia [24]. In this study, in order to understand the phylogenetic status of the Tsushima cat which is the other wildcat in Japan, partial sequences (402 bases) of the mitochondrial cytochrome b region were determined and compared with those of the Iriomote cat and other feline species. The phylogenetic tree of the cytochrome b sequences indicated that the Tsushima cat and the Iriomote cat have the same mitochondrial DNA lineage as the leopard cat. One or two transitional substitutions were observed among the two Japanese wildcats and the leopard cat. The divergence time (approximately 100,000 years ago) of the Tsushima cat and the leopard cat, estimated by sequence data, was in concordance with the formation date of the Tsushima Island. These results suggest that genetic drift after geographic isolation has brought fixation of some genetic and morphological characters to the Tsushima cat and the Iriomote cat, while these two Japanese wildcats are still genetically close to the continental leopard cat. Considering morphological differences and molecular phylogeny, it is reasonable for the two Japanese wildcats to be classified as two subspecies of F. bengalensis.
Reference:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8590833&dopt=Abstract
Iriomote Leopard Cat p.b. iriomotensisThe Iriomote cat is one of the best studied cats in the world. There has been an ongoing, well-funded Japanese government project to study the cat and to appreciate its conservation needs. There is presently an estimated population of not more than 100 individuals. In the last 12 years, researchers have radio collared and tracked more than 130 individuals. This makes the Iriomote cat the best-studied small cat on earth.
The most dangerous threat to the cats is cars. Despite warning signs, cats still get hit by cars. Lowland habitat destruction also threatens the small remaining population.
More than 70 road underpasses have been constructed and some are used by the cats to cross roads. Conservationists are reviewing the effectiveness of these underpasses to improve them for use by the cats.
There is excellent, fully instrumented rehabilitation facility where injured Iriomote cats are placed to recover. This allows close observation of their behavior.
The Iriomote cat is well know across Iriomote Island, the western-most Japanese island and closest to Taiwan. The cat is painted on sides of buses, shrubs in some villages are shaped like crouching Iriomote cats, and there is even an Iriomote Sake (drink).
Interestingly, the Iriomote cat has a cousin on Tsushima Island. The Tsushima cat on the Japenese island close to Korea is lesser known but now the subject of a full scientific and conservation investigation.
Recent genetic analysis confirms that the Iriomote cat and the Tsushima cat are subspecies of the Leopard Cat. Nevertheless, these unique and beautiful island cats are Japan's only cats and deserve full conservation measures to ensure their continued survival.
Jim Sanderson, PhD
Team Research Scientist
Center for Applied Biodiversity Science
Conservation International
Small Cat Conservation AllianceReference: Text, Feline Conservation Federation, January/February issue
Interspecies transmission of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) from the domestic cat to the Tsushima cat (Felis bengalensis) in the wild.
Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was isolated from a wild-caught Tsushima cat (Felis bengalensis), an endangered Japanese nondomestic subspecies of leopard cat (F. bengalensis). Phylogenetic analysis of the env gene sequences indicated that the FIV from the Tsushima cat belonged to a cluster of subtype D FIVs from domestic cats. FIVs from both the Tsushima cat and the domestic cat showed similar levels of replication and cytopathicity in lymphoid cell lines derived from these two species. The results indicated the occurrence of interspecies transmission of FIV from the domestic cat to the Tsushima cat in the wild.
Leopard Cat Research in the wilds of Thailand
Researchers: Lon Grassman, Jr., Sean Austin, Dr. Michael Tewes, and Nova Silvy (TAMU) have radio-collared Leopard Cats (p.bengalensis) in Thailand.
Sedated Leopard
Cat radio-collared and ear-tagged in Thailand.
Little ecological and behavioral information exists on wild Leopard Cats. The study was conducted on wild Leopard Cats in Khao Yai National Park and Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary. These refuges are located in a tropical evergreen forest and a mixed-evergreen forested plateau in Thailand. Sean Austin and Lon Grassman used radio-telemetry to gather data on home range size, habitat preference and use, activity patterns, and diet.Their study is providing baseline information for this sub-species. In Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Lon Grassman captured, radio-collared, and tracked via radio-telemetry 26 Leopard Cats (p.b.chinensis). In Khao Yai National Park, Sean Austin captured 16 Leopard Cats (p.b.chinensis) and radio-collared 10 for which he obtained 500 locations. Preliminary data indicate P.b. Bengalensis chinensis home ranges vary from 0.9 to 4.3 miles. Although activity patterns were irregular, the Leopard Cats were surprisingly active primarily during daylight. They also analyzed scat composition to identify prey species consumed. They will examine genetic variation in the two study populations to provide information on population structure and gene flow of Leopard Cats as well. Micro satellite data will be compared to radio-telemetry data to gain insights into social structure.
This information will make a significant contribution to the knowledge of the species as well as sub-species and is critical for developing, prioritizing, and implementing management and conservation strategies. More ecological information is needed to develop better management and conservation practices in Southeast Asia.
Cooperative funding by the Bosack and Kruger Foundation through the Cat Action Treasury, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Sierra Endangered Cat Haven, Hexagon Farm, Parco Faunistica La Torbiera, Columbus Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo, and Mountain View Farms Conservation Breeding Center.
Reference:http://ckwri.tamuk.edu/feline/leopard_cat.htm
SURVIVAL STUDY OF LEOPARD CATS
IN THAILAND
Sedated Leopard Cat captured by Dr. Lon Grassman.
Researchers: Lon I. Grassman, Aaron M. Haines, and Michael E. TewesThe Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) is a relatively common felid found throughout southeast Asia. However, no survival estimates have been developed for this felid. Their objectives were to estimate and contrast annual survival rates for male and female radio-collared Leopard Cats, and compare their annual survival rate to previous studies. From December 1999 to December 2002, they radio-collared Leopard Cats in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. They calculated survival rates for Leopard Cats in 2000, 2001, and 2002. They also calculated survival rates using data from two previous radio-telemetry Leopard Cat studies in Malaysia and Thailand for comparison.
They found no difference in annual survival between adult male and female Leopard Cats in their study area. Their estimates of annual Leopard Cat survival on Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary were higher than those calculated for Leopard Cats in Malaysia and central Thailand. The high annual survival estimate of adult Leopard Cats may have been related to the remote location of the study area where there were minimal anthropogenic stresses on Leopard Cats. The two previous studies documented anthropogenic mortalities of Leopard Cats including hunting and vehicle-collisions. They did not observe any anthropogenic Leopard Cat mortalities.
Philippine Leopard Cat
p.bengalensis raboriRecently described in 1997 by Groves, the Philippine Leopard Cat (P. b. rabori) is probably the smallest of its race (adults in captivity weigh only about 1.4 to 1.9 kg or 3.1 to 4.2 pounds). Research has never been done on this subspecies prior to 2005, when in July, they started an ethnobiological survey in the known range of the Leopard Cat. Results show that the Leopard Cat has been extirpated from at least 80% of its former range in the Philippines, with loss of forest cover, except possibly in Negros Occidental, where Leopard Cats seemingly thrive well on sugarcane farms.
Philippine Leopard Cat p.bengalensis rabori adult male scull
Reference: Fauna & Flora International-Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Program, Negros Forests & Ecological Foundation, Inc.
Books and Articles about Leopard Cats
Anon. (1989) New Cat Discovered Cat News 10: 4Birkenmeier, E. and I. Birkenmeier (1971) Hand-rearing the Leopard cat Felis bengalensis borneoensis International Zoo Yearbook 11: 118-121
Dathe, H. (1968) Breeding the Indian Leopard cat Felis bengalensis at East Berlin Zoo International Zoo Yearbook 8: 42-44
Frese, R. (1980) Some notes on breeding the leopard cat Felis bengalensis at West Berlin Zoo International Zoo Yearbook 20: 220-223
Please note, the text and photos are copyright protected by their authors and are used here strictly for educational purposes. This page will be updated as more research information becomes available. Last updated 8/9/07
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