A leopard can, after all, change its spots: a new species of big cat has been identified for the first time in almost two centuries.

The big cats prowling the jungles of Borneo and Sumatra had long been assumed to be the same clouded leopards that are found in mainland Asia. Genetic analysis and comparisons of fur patterns have now shown the two animals to be as distinct as the lion and the tiger, the WWF announced yesterday. Among the findings that convinced scientists was the realisation that the Bornean cat has changed the number and prominence of its spots.

The cats have now been reclassified as the Bornean clouded leopard, with the name Neofelis diardi, to distinguish them from other clouded leopards, Neofelis nebulosa. The two species, both endangered, are shown by genetic analysis to have separated 1.4 million years ago, after the animals used a land bridge, now covered by water, from mainland Asia to reach Borneo and Sumatra.

Clouded leopards, found in China, Nepal and northeast India, were described in 1821 by the British naturalist Edward Griffiths and were the last of the big cats to be discovered.

Scientists classified the Bornean cat as a subspecies in the late 19th century — yet failed to notice that it was a totally different species. They were hampered by the secretive nature of the nocturnal animal, which lives in remote forest areas, and by there being only 57 specimens in museums worldwide.

Andrew Kitchener, of the Department of Natural Sciences, National Museums Scotland, who led the study of fur patterns, found that the Bornean leopard had smaller cloud-shaped markings than the mainland cat, a double stripe along the back instead of a single one, more spots within each cloud and a darker coloration. “It’s incredible that no one has noticed these differences,” he said. “The moment we started comparing the skins of the mainland leopard and the leopard found on Borneo, it was clear we were comparing two species.” The genetic findings were even more conclusive, said Stephen O’Brien, of the US National Cancer Institute, who led that analysis. “DNA tests high-lighted around 40 differences.”

Stuart Chapman, of the WWF, said: “The fact that Borneo’s top predator is considered a separate species further emphasises the importance of conserving the Heart of Borneo.”

Mark Henderson

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