New species of leopard
with largest fangs in cat world discovered
[CSPP Note: One of the
most frequent claims of AGW alarmists is that X-percent of species will go
extinct due to man-made global warming.
These assertions are generated from unverified computer models, and
never accompanied with a list of examples. Yet, there are frequent news reports of additional species
being discovered. For a rational review of the alarmist extinction claims, see http://www.co2science.org/scripts/CO2ScienceB2C/education/reports/extinction/extinction.jsp
Many of these newly discovered and
yet undiscovered species reside in the worldÕs tropical forests, which are threatened
by the expanding biofuels industry.
See:
http://ff.org/centers/csspp/pdf/courtney_082006.pdf ]
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/technology/technology.html?in_article_id=442309&in_page_id=1965
Last updated at 16:51pm on 15th March 2007
It is
a modern-day sabre-tooth tiger with fearsome fangs capable of killing its prey
in a single bite.
This clouded leopard which feasts
on monkeys, deer and pigs has been discovered living deep in the Borneo rain
forest.
New species: The
Bornean clouded leopard
Long thought to be identical
to the clouded leopards living on mainland South East Asia, genetic analysis
has shown that the Bornean big cat is in fact a separate species.
Scientists have counted
at least 40 key differences in the DNA of the two felines - making the two species
of clouded leopard almost as different as a lion is to a tiger.
Some of the differences
are clear to the naked eye, with the elliptical spots or 'clouds' which give it
its name, being smaller and darker on the island variety.
The Bornean clouded leopard
also has darker fur than its mainland cousin.
Dr Andrew Kitchener, of
National Museums Scotland, said: "The moment we started comparing the
skins of the mainland clouded leopard with the leopard found on Borneo, it was
clear we were comparing two different species.
"It's incredible
that no one has ever noticed these differences."
The research, which forms
part of the WWF's Heart of Borneo conservation project, brings the number of
new species to have emerged from the island's jungles in the last year to over
50.
Plants and animals new to
science include two species of tree frog and 30 types of fish, including a
catfish with an adhesive belly that allows it to stick to rocks.
The scientists say the
remote, and for a long time, inaccessible, forests of the world's third largest
island are one of the 'final frontiers for science - a Lost World that must be
preserved from threats from the logging and rubber industries.
The Heart of Borneo, an
84,000 square mile, wild, mountainous region, covered with equatorial rain
forest in the centre of the island, is the last great home of the Bornean
clouded leopard.
The island's most
fearsome predator, the clouded leopard has the longest canine teeth of any
feline, with fully-grown cats boasting fangs that are up to two-inches long.
Only the long-extinct
sabre-tooth tiger had longer canine teeth for its body size.
Tails as long as their
bodies allow the secretive and solitary creatures to balance in trees, where
they perch to pounce on their prey.
Monkeys, barking deer and
bearded pigs can be killed with a single bite, with the leopard having no fear
of seeking out prey that is bigger than itself.
Such adept hunting skills
put the clouded leopard, which at 35 inches from head to start of tail is about
the size of a small Labrador, right at the top of the island's food chain.
Stuart Chapman, of the
Heart of Borneo programme, said: "Who said a leopard can never change its
spots?
"For over a hundred
years, we have been looking at this animal and never realised it is unique.
"The fact that
Borneo's top predator is now considered a separate species further emphasises
the importance of conserving the Heart of Borneo."
It is thought there are
up to 11,000 of the new species of clouded leopard, Neofelis diardi on Borneo
and a further 3,000 to 7,000 on the neighbouring island of Sumatra.
It is estimated the
Bornean and Sumatran populations broke away from mainland populations around
1.4 million years ago.
Some Leopard
facts:
¥ With a body that
measures just over a foot, the clouded leopard is the smallest of the 'big
cats'.
¥ It is also the best
tree-climber, with flexible ankle joints and keen claws allowing it to run down
tree trunks head first. It can run along the underside of branches and hang by
the back feet alone - freeing up their front paws to snatch at prey.
¥ Its two-inch canine
teeth are the longest of any living feline and lead to comparisons with the
long-extinct sabre-tooth tiger.
¥ Its jaws can open wider
than those of any other cat and the fangs are as big as a tiger's, even
although tigers are ten times bigger.
¥ They often ambush their
prey from the treetops, landing on the taget's back before delivering one fatal
bite.
¥ The young, which are
born with solid spots, rather than mottled 'clouds', are weaned at five months
and become independent at nine months.
¥ The creatures, which
live up to 11 years in the wild and 17 in captivity, emit calls ranging from
pet cat-like purrs, to roars, growls and hisses.
¥ Although protected by
law, the clouded leopard is still hunted for its beautiful pelt and the
supposed healing powers of its bones and teeth.