Abstract
Background: Leopards (Panthera pardus) show genetically determined colour variation. Erythristic (strawberry) morphs, where individuals are paler and black pigment in the coat is replaced by a red-brown colour, are exceptionally rare in the wild. Historically, few records exist, with only five putative records known from India.Objectives: To record the presence of erythristic leopards in our study site (Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve, Mpumalanga) and to collate records from across South Africa. Method: A network of camera traps was used to record individual leopards at Thaba Tholo. We also surveyed local experts, searched the popular South African press, and used social media to request observations.Results: Two out of 28 individual leopards (7.1%) recorded in our study site over 3 years were of this colour morph. We obtained records of five other erythristic leopards in the North West and Mpumalanga regions, with no reports outside of this population.Conclusions: Erythristic leopards are widely dispersed across north-east South Africa, predominantly in the Lydenburg region, Mpumalanga. The presence of this rare colour morph may reflect the consequences of population fragmentation.
Highlights
There is a high degree of coat colour variation between geographic populations of leopards (Panthera pardus L., Carnivora: Felidae) (Kingdon et al 2013)
Original images were taken by camera traps as part of a wider study conducted at Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve (TTWR, Latitude: 24°57”404 S, Longitude: 30°21”105 E, Figure 1), Mpumalanga, South Africa, c. 20 km north-west of Lydenburg
From the Internet search and local reports, five individual erythristic leopards, identified through pelage patterns have been captured on camera trap, killed, or caught, in the Lydenburg area, Mpumalanga; and two animals in Madikwe Game Reserve and the surrounding area, North West Province (Figure 1, Table 1)
Summary
There is a high degree of coat colour variation between geographic populations of leopards (Panthera pardus L., Carnivora: Felidae) (Kingdon et al 2013). Individuals from arid regions are generally pale with dispersed and open-centred rosettes, in contrast to those residing in forests which are darker with clustered and small-centred rosettes. These patterns are thought to correspond with differing vegetation types and light levels in order to conceal the animal from prey and possibly other predators (Allen et al 2010; Kingdon et al 2013). Few records exist, with only five putative records known from India
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
