The Discovery of Two Spotted Leopards (<i>Panthera Pardus</i>) in Peninsular Malaysia

Wei, Cedric Tan Kai; Moore, Jonathan H.; Saaban, Salman; Campos‐Arceiz, Ahimsa; Macdonald, David W.

doi:10.1177/194008291500800310

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Our data support the observations reported by [17] and [18], showing that leopard melanism is almost fixed in areas south of the Isthmus of Kra (Thailand/Malaysia). We obtained only two records of non-melanistic animals south of the Isthmus (the same was reported by [59]), while in more northerly areas both phenotypes appear at similar frequencies. This intriguing regional pattern may have been influenced by some degree of demographic isolation across the Isthmus, which is consistent with the hypothesis that in the past (during the Last Glacial Maximum, 20,000–25,000 years ago [60]) it operated as an effective barrier restricting gene flow for several organisms ( e .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

Mapping black panthers: Macroecological modeling of melanism in leopards (Panthera pardus)

Silva

Kawanishi²,

Henschel

et al. 2017

PLoS ONE

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The geographic distribution and habitat association of most mammalian polymorphic phenotypes are still poorly known, hampering assessments of their adaptive significance. Even in the case of the black panther, an iconic melanistic variant of the leopard (Panthera pardus), no map exists describing its distribution. We constructed a large database of verified records sampled across the species’ range, and used it to map the geographic occurrence of melanism. We then estimated the potential distribution of melanistic and non-melanistic leopards using niche-modeling algorithms. The overall frequency of melanism was ca. 11%, with a significantly non-random spatial distribution. Distinct habitat types presented significantly different frequencies of melanism, which increased in Asian moist forests and approached zero across most open/dry biomes. Niche modeling indicated that the potential distributions of the two phenotypes were distinct, with significant differences in habitat suitability and rejection of niche equivalency between them. We conclude that melanism in leopards is strongly affected by natural selection, likely driven by efficacy of camouflage and/or thermoregulation in different habitats, along with an effect of moisture that goes beyond its influence on vegetation type. Our results support classical hypotheses of adaptive coloration in animals (e.g. Gloger’s rule), and open up new avenues for in-depth evolutionary analyses of melanism in mammals.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

Mapping black panthers: Macroecological modeling of melanism in leopards (Panthera pardus)

Silva

Kawanishi²,

Henschel

et al. 2017

PLoS ONE

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“…Kawanishi et al (2010) referred to the presence of spotted Leopards in Endau Rompin National Park in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Tan et al (2015) recorded two spotted Leopards in Ulu Muda Forest Reserve in the northern state of Kedah. Melanistic Leopards are most common in tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests (da Silva et al 2017).…”

Section: Platinum Open Accessmentioning

confidence: 99%

The discovery of a melanistic Leopard Panthera pardus delacouri (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) at Bukit Kudung in Jeli, Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia: conservation and ecotourism

et al. 2021

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Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. During a study near an ecotourism site, we recorded a melanistic Leopard Panthera pardus delacouri on top of Bukit Kudung in Jeli District. This finding is considered important because the Indochinese Leopard P.p. delacouri is classified as Critically Endangered in the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). We hope that this record will foster conservation efforts in the area.

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“…When melanistic leopards are present, spatial mark‐resight (SMR) density estimation can be advantageous, which only requires a portion of the population to be identifiable (Chandler & Royle, 2013) and allows for the inclusion of all leopard captures, including blurry photographs, single‐flank photos, and melanistic leopards for which markings were indeterminate (Efford & Hunter, 2018; Harihar et al, 2021). Use of standard spatially explicit capture‐recapture (SECR) models can often result in the need to discard data when photographs are unclear, as can be the case for leopard populations in Southeast Asia (Wei et al, 2015). We hypothesized leopard density would be lower than in the adjacent protected area network of Thailand, possibly due to relatively less investment in patrolling, and thus increased potential for poaching.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupancy, density, and activity patterns of a Critically Endangered leopard population on the Kawthoolei‐Thailand border

Montgomery¹,

Stokes²,

K'lu³

et al. 2023

Population Ecology

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Large carnivores have been largely extirpated from Southeast Asia due to deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and poaching. Estimating the density of endangered carnivore populations, and identifying relationships between species occupancy and both environmental and anthropogenic factors, is essential for effective conservation planning. Recently, the IUCN conservation status of the Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) was upgraded to “Critically Endangered.” We surveyed Kweekoh Wildlife Sanctuary in Kawthoolei, an area administered by the Karen ethnic group in eastern Myanmar, to quantify (1) leopard population density using spatially explicit mark‐resight (SMR) models, (2) leopard occupancy as influenced by important ecological variables, and (3) potential differences in activity between melanistic and spotted leopard morphs. Leopard density was estimated to be 1.39 ± SE 0.22/100 km2. Leopard occupancy (ψ = 0.43; 95% credible interval: 0.26–0.67) increased further from roads, at relatively higher elevations, and in areas with higher relative abundance of wild boar. Leopard activity was cathemeral, with higher activity during night hours, and significant overlap (Δ = 0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.71–0.96) between melanistic and spotted morphs. However, melanistic leopards were more active during twilight hours than spotted individuals whose activity did not significantly vary throughout the day. Indochinese leopard density estimates in Kweekoh were among the lowest reported from Southeast Asia. Leopard occupancy was highest in the sanctuary's core areas, suggesting the presence of negative anthropogenic impacts along the sanctuary borders. We suggest our low density estimates warrant immediate and decisive conservation action, including better protection for leopards, their habitat, and their prey.

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The Discovery of Two Spotted Leopards (Panthera Pardus) in Peninsular Malaysia

Cited by 7 publications

References 9 publications

Mapping black panthers: Macroecological modeling of melanism in leopards (Panthera pardus)

Mapping black panthers: Macroecological modeling of melanism in leopards (Panthera pardus)

The discovery of a melanistic Leopard Panthera pardus delacouri (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) at Bukit Kudung in Jeli, Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia: conservation and ecotourism

Occupancy, density, and activity patterns of a Critically Endangered leopard population on the Kawthoolei‐Thailand border

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