BETHESDA, Md., March 15 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have determined clouded leopards found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra represent a new species of cat.
The secretive rainforest animal was thought to be the same species as the one found on mainland Southeast Asia.
The researchers said genetic analyses conducted at the U.S. National Cancer Institute show the difference between the two species is comparable to the differences between other large cat species, such as lions, tigers and jaguars.
Scientists said the new species of clouded leopard diverged from the mainland population some 1.4 million years ago.
Clouded leopards are the largest predators on Borneo. Some grow to be as large as a small panther and have the longest canine teeth relative to body size of any cat. Sumatran tigers are the largest predators on Sumatra.
"The moment we started comparing the skins of the mainland clouded leopard and the leopard found on Borneo and Sumatra, it was clear we were comparing two different species," said Andrew Kitchener of National Museums Scotland and lead author of a scientific paper that described the new species. "It's incredible that no one has ever noticed these differences."
