Leopard Cat Research Articles

Applying reproductive technologies and genome resource banking to laboratory animals

The Genome Resource Bank (GRB) is a repository of frozen biological material, including semen and embryos. Cryobanking is often used in combination with modern reproductive technologies, such as rederivation, in vitro culture, and embryo transfer. Thirteen mouse and rat strains have been rederived, and 32 are kept in cryostorage at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk. Other laboratory animal species have been cryopreserved as well. Embryos of two hamster species (Djungarian and Campbell’s) of the Phodopus genus were cryopreserved, and the viability of thawed embryos was confirmed by their successful development in vitro and in vivo (by transfer to a recipient). The positive effect of the Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) was demonstrated for both of these Phodopus species. Furthermore, the sperm of Djungarian (Phodopus sungorus) and Campbell’s (Phodopus campbelli) hamsters, domestic cat (Felis catusf),leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus), and bobcat (Lynx rufus) was frozen and cryopreserved. Double staining by SYBR Green/PI, followed by confocal microscopy, demonstrated that more than 40% of amur cat semen retained their viability after cryopreservation. This is the world’s first reported successful freezing of semen of these wild feline species (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus). The article reviews the results and discusses the prospects of using reproductive technologies for the conservation of laboratory animal species.

Camera trap records of Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus and Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) from Papikonda National Park, northern Eastern Ghats, India

The genus Prionailurus consists of forest dwelling spotted cats ranging across most of India (Sunquist and Sunquist 2002, Menon 2003). Few studies have been done on their presence and distribution across the Eastern Ghats. The present note reports the first camera trap records of the Leopard Cat Prionailurus benghalensis Kerr, 1792 and Rusty Spotted Cat, Prionailurus rubiginosus Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831 from the Papikonda National Park, situated in the northern Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.

A set of microsatellite markers for population genetics of leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) and cross-species amplification in other felids

We describe the isolation and characterization of novel microsatellite loci from the leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis Kerr, 1792 (Family Felidae). Using Illumina HiSeq2500 sequencing technology, we sequenced the leopard cat genome and identified 1.5 million loci of simple sequence repeats with di- to deca-nucleotide motifs. We developed twelve polymorphic markers with tetra-nucleotide motif types after screening 35 loci for amplification and polymorphism. The observed and expected heterozygosities of the markers were 0.438 and 0.423, respectively. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 7, with a mean polymorphism information content of 0.383. Eleven loci were at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and no linkage disequilibrium was detected among any pairs of loci. We tested cross-species amplification of these markers across five other felids (Panthera tigris, P. pardus, P. onca, Acinonyx jubatus, and Felis catus). All loci were transferable to at least one other feline species and four amplified all five species. The microsatellite markers developed in this study will be valuable for estimating ecological parameters of populations and to establish conservation and management strategies for feline species.

Carnivore occurrence: do interview-based surveys produce unreliable results?

AbstractInterviews with local people have been widely used by biologists as a cost-effective approach to studying certain topics in wildlife ecology and conservation. However, doubts still exist about the validity and quality of the information gathered, especially in studies targeting cryptic or elusive species, such as carnivores. We assessed the reliability of interviews (n = 155) in detecting the presence of three species of carnivores with different characteristics, by comparing interview results with data obtained through camera trapping surveys at 52 sites in central Argentina. The degree of concordance between methods was low for Geoffroy's cat Leopardus geoffroyi and especially for the puma Puma concolor. However, Geoffroy's cats were detected more frequently by camera traps than interviews, whereas the opposite was true for pumas. For the pampas fox Pseudalopex gymnocercus, a less elusive species, we observed a high degree of concordance and a similar probability of occurrence between methods. Our results indicate that data obtained by interviewing local inhabitants should be used with caution because the information about species presence provided by local people may be inaccurate and biased.

Molecular analysis of vertebrates and plants in scats of leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) in southwest China

Abstract Understanding the diets of carnivores is essential for resolving food web interactions and the population dynamics of both prey and predators and for designing effective strategies for species and ecosystem conservation. As effective predators, wild felids play important roles in various ecosystems, but relatively little is known about the dietary habits of many species, primarily owing to their elusive behavior. We used a DNA-based method to analyze the vertebrates and plants constituting the diet of leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) in the temperate forests of the mountains of southwest China, a global biodiversity hotspot. DNA extracted from leopard cat scats was amplified with primers targeting either the vertebrate mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene (N = 25 scats) or the psbCL region of the chloroplast genome of vascular plants (N = 42 scats). The polymerase chain reaction products were sequenced and prey taxa were assigned based on sequence similarity. We identified a total of 16 taxa of vertebrate prey, with pikas (in 76% of the scats) and rodents (40%) predominating. Plant material belonging to 12 taxa was found in 76% of the samples, and the genus Solanum and subfamily Rosoideae were the most frequently detected plant taxa. The frequency of occurrence of identified plant taxa differed between the spring–summer and fall–winter months. Thus, the leopard cats in our study area have a diversified diet and are highly flexible in adapting their foraging behavior to the locally available prey. Our data suggest that preserving their natural prey base dominated by pikas and rodents may be vital for the subsistence of local populations. The high species resolution and detection sensitivity of the DNA-based method we used in this study make it a powerful and efficient tool for fine-scale analysis of complex diets.

Eyelid agenesis and multiple ocular defects in a captive cheetah cub (Acinonyx jubatus)

This case report describes bilateral eyelid agenesis with multiple ocular defects in a captive bred, cheetah cub (Acinonyx jubatus). The ocular defects included a dermoid, bilateral, immature posterior cortical cataracts,...

Earliest "Domestic" Cats in China Identified as Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).

The ancestor of all modern domestic cats is the wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica, with archaeological evidence indicating it was domesticated as early as 10,000 years ago in South-West Asia. A recent study, however, claims that cat domestication also occurred in China some 5,000 years ago and involved the same wildcat ancestor (F. silvestris). The application of geometric morphometric analyses to ancient small felid bones from China dating between 5,500 to 4,900 BP, instead reveal these and other remains to be that of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). These data clearly indicate that the origins of a human-cat ‘domestic’ relationship in Neolithic China began independently from South-West Asia and involved a different wild felid species altogether. The leopard cat’s ‘domestic’ status, however, appears to have been short-lived—its apparent subsequent replacement shown by the fact that today all domestic cats in China are genetically related to F. silvestris.

Population density, spatiotemporal use and diet of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in a human-modified succession forest landscape of Singapore

Leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) are wild felids that have been reported to thrive in human-modified habitats in Asia. It has been suggested that they may be adapters of plantation forests by exploiting the availability of murid prey and are abundant in these habitats. However, these hypotheses have yet to be tested or quantified. Here, camera trapping, qualitative and quantitative diet analyses were used to determine the occurrence, population density, activity pattern and diet of leopard cats in human-modified habitats in Singapore. Leopard cat density and habitat use were higher in oil palm monoculture environs compared to secondary forests and were negatively related with canopy closure and distance from plantation. Leopard cats were exclusively nocturnal in the monoculture area, but also exhibited diurnal activity in secondary forests. Consumption of nocturnal murids was significantly higher in the monocultures than secondary forests. Our results provide evidence that leopard cats thrive in oil palm monocultures where they forage on murid prey.

Uso do feromônio facial feline fração F3 no tratamento de dermatite psicogênica em gatos-maracajá (Leopardus wiedii) cativos – relato de casos

Psychogenic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease characterized by self-mutilation behavior that results in partial or complete hair loss (alopecia) and ulcers or injuries on the skin. In domestic cats, anxiety or stress can also generate excessive licking of the coat and, in this species, pheromones have been used to reduce stress and treat compulsive behavior. The aim of this study is to report the use of pheromone therapy (fraction F3 of the feline facial pheromone) in a group of five margay cats (Leopardus wiedii) kept at Sorocaba Zoo that were diagnosed with psychogenic dermatitis. The pheromone was sprayed at the rooms that held the five individuals for 60 days. After treatment, four of the five animals showed full recovery, which suggests that pheromone therapy is a useful fool to treat psychogenic dermatitis in margay cats.

A trial of semen collection by transrectal electroejaculation method from Amur leopard cat (<i>Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus</i>)

We collected semen from a male Amur leopard cat using the transrectal electroejaculation method and investigated the semen qualities for about four years. In addition, the influence of the season on the spermatogenic function of the Amur leopard cat was investigated with regard to the semen qualities, testicular volume and serum testosterone level. As a result, we could collect semen with good sperm qualities that would be useable for artificial insemination. Some seasonality was noted in the testicular volume and serum testosterone level. We clarified that the semen qualities were favorable before and during the female breeding season compared with those after the breeding season.

Refined assessment of the geographic distribution of Geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) (Mammalia: Felidae) in the Neotropics

AbstractUnderstanding the fine‐scale geographic distribution of a species has applications in biogeography, ecology, evolution and conservation. Species distribution models (SDM) have been widely used to predict geographic and climatic ranges of species. Geoffroy's cat Leopardus geoffroyi is a small felid of least concern that occupies a wide variety of habitat types in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. We evaluated the fine‐scale distribution of Geoffroy's cat at the sub‐continental level, estimated its current extent and area of occurrence and discussed the current and potential ranges developed with SDM. On the basis of species occurrences (n = 1502) and large‐scale environmental data, two model types (‘environmental’ and ‘land cover’) were developed using MaxEnt. The estimated extent of occurrence of Geoffroy's cat was 3 180 664 km2, but the potential area of occurrence predicted by our environmental model was 70% larger due to areas with high suitability (i.e. >0.5) compared to the species’ current range. The most important bioclimatic factors affecting Geoffroy's cat presence were temperature seasonality, mean temperature of the coldest quarter and annual precipitation. Two recent records obtained outside the known distribution of the species fell within the high‐suitability area (i.e. >0.5) predicted by our model. Our SDM suggest that this habitat‐generalist felid is probably expanding its distribution range by taking advantage of changes in human land use.

Applying reproductive technologies and genome resource banking to laboratory animals

The Genome Resource Bank (GRB) is a repository of frozen biological material, including semen and embryos. Cryo­banking is used in combination with modern reproductive technologies such as rederivation, in vitro culture and embryo transfer. Thirteen mouse and rat strains have been re-derived and 32 are kept frozen in the cryostorage at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk. Some other laboratory animal species have been cryopreserved as well. Embryos of two hamster species (Djungarian and Campbell’s) in the genus Phodopus were cryopreserved and the viability of thawed embryos was proved by their successful development in vitro and in vivo (by transfer to a recipient). A positive effect of the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was demonstrated with both these Phodopus species. Furthermore, semen of Djungarian (Phodopus sungorus) and Campbell’s (Phodopus campbelli) hamsters, domestic cat (Felis catus), amur cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) and bobcat (Lynx rufus) was frozen and cryopreserved. Double staining by SYBR Green/PI and subsequent confocal microscopy demonstrated that more than 40 % of amur cat semen retained viability after cryopreservation. This is the world’s first reported successful freezing of semen of this wild felid (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus). This article reviews the results and discusses prospects of using reproductive technologies for conservation of laboratory species.

Variations in leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) skull morphology and body size: sexual and geographic influences.

The leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis (Kerr, 1792), is one of the most widespread Asian cats, occurring in continental eastern and southeastern Asia. Since 1929, several studies have focused on the morphology, ecology, and taxonomy of leopard cats. Nevertheless, hitherto there has been no agreement on basic aspects of leopard cat biology, such as the presence or absence of sexual dimorphism, morphological skull and body differences between the eleven recognized subspecies, and the biogeography of the different morphotypes. Twenty measurements on 25 adult leopard cat skulls from different Asian localities were analyzed through univariate and multivariate statistical approaches. Skull and external body measurements from studies over the last 77 years were assembled and organized in two categories: full data and summary data. Most of this database comprises small samples, which have never been statistically tested and compared with each other. Full data sets were tested with univariate and multivariate statistical analyses; summary data sets (i.e., means, SDs, and ranges) were analyzed through suitable univariate approaches. The independent analyses of the data from these works confirmed our original results and improved the overview of sexual dimorphism and geographical morphological variation among subspecies. Continental leopard cats have larger skulls and body dimensions. Skulls of Indochinese morphotypes have broader and higher features than those of continental morphotypes, while individuals from the Sunda Islands have skulls with comparatively narrow and low profiles. Cranial sexual dimorphism is present in different degrees among subspecies. Most display subtle sex-related variations in a few skull features. However, in some cases, sexual dimorphism in skull morphology is absent, such as in P. b. sumatranus and P. b. borneoensis. External body measurement comparisons also indicate the low degree of sexual dimorphism. Apart from the gonads, the longer hind foot of male leopard cats is the main feature of sexual dimorphism among P. b. bengalensis (and probably among P. b. horsfieldii too). External body measurements also indicated the absence of sexual dimorphism among individuals of P. b. borneoensis. Inter-subspecific skull comparisons provided a morphometric basis for differentiating some subspecies. Prionailurus b. horsfieldii and P. b. bengalensis were distinguished only by a subtle difference in PM4 size, indicating that overall skull morphology does not appear to support their separate taxonomical status, in spite of the marked differences reported in their coat patterns. Geological events affecting the Sunda Shelf connection between the Sunda Islands and the mainland during the Last Glacial Maximum seem to have influenced directly the morphological pattern shown by leopard cat subspecies nowadays.

Faunal diversity in a semi-evergreen forest of Bornadi-Khalingduar Complex of Assam, India

The Bornadi-Khalingduar Complex under the Manas Tiger Reserve, Assam is known to be an important area for wildlife movement to and from India and Bhutan. The contiguous landscape encompassing the two neighbouring countries provides a good habitat for diversity of wildlife and also as an important corridor area. We carried out an opportunistic camera-trapping exercise to document the faunal diversity in the area. A month-long exercise photo-captured a total of 19 species belonging to 12 families, including the Leopard, Wild Dog, Leopard Cat, Binturong, Elephant, Sambar, Barking Deer and various birds. These findings of the study reveal the importance, threats and potential of the area and recommendations have been made to secure this corridor for continuous animal movement. Anthropogenic disturbance is a major deterrent to undisturbed animal movement in this area with resultant forest fragmentation and degradation. This indicates the need for effective conservation strategies in order to maintain the remnants of this corridor complex.

Molecular identification of the trematode Paragonimus in faecal samples from the wild cat Prionailurus bengalensis in the Da Krong Nature Reserve, Vietnam.

Conventional identification of Paragonimus species and their natural definitive hosts is based on the morphological features of adult parasites isolated from the lungs of wild mammalian hosts. However, wild animals are protected by strict regulations and sampling is not always possible. Recently, molecular techniques have been developed to identify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of Paragonimus eggs in faeces/sputum of human patients. Also, mammalian hosts can be identified using the D-loop sequence of mitochondrial DNA in faecal samples. In this study, we used molecular techniques on faeces from wild animals collected in Da Krong Nature Reserve, Quang Tri province, central Vietnam, where Paragonimus metacercariae are highly prevalent in mountain crabs, to identify Paragonimus species and their natural definitive hosts. The results indicated that wild cats, Prionailurus bengalensis, were infected with at least three different Paragonimus species, P. westermani, P. skrjabini and P. heterotremus. Because all of these species can infect humans in Asian countries, human paragonimiasis should be considered in this area.

Importance of frogs in the diet of the Iriomote cat based on stomach content analysis

This study aimed at providing new insight into the dietary habits of the endangered Iriomote cat (Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis) by examining the stomach contents. Using this method allowed for more reliable representation of the diet than the analysis of scat content as used in previous studies of this subspecies. We applied five indices: frequency of occurrence, relative frequency of occurrence, relative weight, relative number of individuals, and occupancy rate of weight in a stomach to design a multifaceted evaluation of diet. A variety of organisms (21 species and six categories in eight classes) were found in the stomachs. Amphibia and Aves occurred in the highest frequency (58.06 % each). The Sakishima rice frog (Fejervarya sakishimensis) was found to be the most frequently consumed prey. Of all classes, only the frequency of occurrence of Amphibia differed significantly between stomach and scat contents (G-test, p < 0.01), which suggests an underestimation of amphibians in the scat analysis. The stomach content analysis allowed for obtaining data on foraging by juvenile Iriomote cats and revealed that young individuals start consuming a variety of animals, including frogs and snakes at the age of 4 to 5 months. This study emphasized the importance of frogs as prey of the Iriomote cat, and as such, it is the first investigation of this cat species based on stomach contents.

Tiger, Bengal and Domestic Cat Embryos Produced by Homospecific and Interspecific Zona-Free Nuclear Transfer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate three different cloning strategies in the domestic cat (Felis silvestris) and to use the most efficient to generate wild felid embryos by interspecific cloning (iSCNT) using Bengal (a hybrid formed by the cross of Felis silvestris and Prionailurus bengalensis) and tiger (Panthera tigris) donor cells. In experiment 1, zona-free (ZP-free) cloning resulted in higher fusion and expanded blastocyst rates with respect to zona included cloning techniques that involved fusion or injection of the donor cell. In experiment 2, ZP-free iSCNT and embryo aggregation (2X) were assessed. Division velocity and blastocyst rates were increased by embryo aggregation in the three species. Despite fewer tiger embryos than Bengal and cat embryos reached the blastocyst stage, Tiger 2X group increased the percentage of blastocysts with respect to Tiger 1X group (3.2% vs 12.1%, respectively). Moreover, blastocyst cell number was almost duplicated in aggregated embryos with respect to non-aggregated ones within Bengal and tiger groups (278.3 ± 61.9 vs 516.8 ± 103.6 for Bengal 1X and Bengal 2X groups, respectively; 41 vs 220 ± 60 for Tiger 1X and Tiger 2X groups, respectively). OCT4 analysis also revealed that tiger blastocysts had higher proportion of OCT4-positive cells with respect to Bengal blastocysts and cat intracytoplasmic sperm injection blastocysts. In conclusion, ZP-free cloning has improved the quality of cat embryos with respect to the other cloning techniques evaluated and was successfully applied in iSCNT complemented with embryo aggregation.

Estimating population sizes of leopard cats in the Western Ghats using camera surveys

The status of several small carnivores in Asia remains poorly known because of the lack of rigorous population assessments. The leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis is one such species assumed to be common and widespread within the Indian subcontinent. We conducted surveys using automated cameras to estimate densities and abundance of leopard cats in and around 4 protected reserves in the Western Ghats of India. A total effort of 16,736 camera-days across a 2,075-km2 area resulted in 65 detections of 43 uniquely identified individuals. We estimated leopard cat densities using closed population spatial capture—recapture models under a Bayesian framework. Estimated density was highest in Bhadra Tiger Reserve at 10.45 (± 3.03 SD)/100 km2 followed by 4.48 (± 1.31 SD)/100 km2 in Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve. The surveys yielded sparse data from Nagarahole and Bandipur reserves. High local densities in Bhadra and BRT were clustered around secondary, disturbed or partially modified forests and ...

Habitat Mapping of the Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in South Korea Using GIS

The purpose of this study was to create maps of potentially sustainable leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) habitats for all of South Korea. The leopard cat, which is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, is the only member of the Felidae family in Korea. To create habitat potential maps, we selected various environmental factors potentially affecting the species’ distribution from a spatial database derived from geographic information system (GIS) data: elevation, slope, distance from a forest stand, road, or drainage, timber type, age, and land cover. We analyzed the spatial relationships between the distribution of the leopard cat and the environmental factors using a frequency ratio model and a logistic regression model. We then overlaid these relationships to produce a habitat potential map with a species potential index (SPI) value. Of the total number of known leopard cat locations, we used 50% for mapping and the remaining 50% for model validation. Our models were relatively successful and showed a high level of accuracy during model validation with existing locations (frequency ratio model 82.15%; logistic regression model 81.48%). The maps can be used to manage and monitor the habitat of mammal species and top predators.

Felids of Sebangau: Camera trapping to estimate activity patterns and population abundance in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Adul, Ripoll B, Limin SH, Cheyne SM. 2015. Felids of Sebangau: Camera trapping to estimate activity patterns and population abundance in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 16: 151-155. We present data from a seven year camera trappingproject in the Natural Laboratory of Peat-Swamp Forest in the Sebangau Catchment, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia (2008-2015). Theproject has identified four of the five felids on Borneo: Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi; macan dahan), flat-headed cat(Prionailurus planiceps; kucing tandang), marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata; kucing batu) and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis;kucing kuwuk). All of these species are protected by Indonesian Law (PP. 7/1999) and are listed on the IUCN Red List. The four specieshave clearly defined activity budgets, especially the smaller cats, to allow niche partitioning. We have identified this forest block as animportant area for numbers of all four species in the global context of cat populations. The bay cat (Pardofelis badia (kucing merah) has not been found in tropical peat-swamp forest at time of writing.