Marbled cat: Difference between revisions
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| name = Marbled Cat<ref name=msw3>{{MSW3 Wozencraft | pages = 542}}</ref> |
| name = Marbled Cat<ref name=msw3>{{MSW3 Wozencraft | pages = 542}}</ref> |
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| image = Pardofelis marmorata 2.jpg |
| image = Pardofelis marmorata 2.jpg |
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| status = VU |
| status = VU |
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| status_system = iucn3.1 |
| status_system = iucn3.1 |
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| binomial_authority = ([[William Charles Linnaeus Martin|Martin]], 1837) |
| binomial_authority = ([[William Charles Linnaeus Martin|Martin]], 1837) |
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| range_map = Marbled Cat area.png |
| range_map = Marbled Cat area.png |
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| range_map_caption = Marbled |
| range_map_caption = Marbled cat range |
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| subdivision_ranks = Subspecies |
| subdivision_ranks = Subspecies |
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The '''Marbled Cat''' (''Pardofelis marmorata'') is a small [[Felidae|wild cat]] of [[South Asia|South]] and [[Southeast Asia]]. Since 2002 it has been listed as [[vulnerable species|''vulnerable'']] by [[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]] as it occurs at low densities, and its total effective population size is suspected to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with no single population numbering more than 1,000.<ref name=iucn>{{IUCN |assessors=Hearn, A., Sanderson, J., Ross, J., Wilting, A., Sunarto, S., Ahmed Khan, J., Kukherjee, S., Grassman, L. |year=2008 |id=16218 |taxon=Pardofelis marmorata |version=2010.4}}</ref> |
The '''Marbled Cat''' (''Pardofelis marmorata'') is a small [[Felidae|wild cat]] of [[South Asia|South]] and [[Southeast Asia]]. Since 2002 it has been listed as [[vulnerable species|''vulnerable'']] by [[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]] as it occurs at low densities, and its total effective population size is suspected to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with no single population numbering more than 1,000.<ref name=iucn>{{IUCN |assessors=Hearn, A., Sanderson, J., Ross, J., Wilting, A., Sunarto, S., Ahmed Khan, J., Kukherjee, S., Grassman, L. |year=2008 |id=16218 |taxon=Pardofelis marmorata |version=2010.4}}</ref> |
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The species was once considered to belong to the [[Pantherinae|pantherine]] lineage of "big cats".<ref name=Hemmer>{{cite journal |author = Hemmer, H. |year = 1978 |title=The evolutionary systematics of living Felidae: Present status and current problems |journal = Carnivore |volume = 1 |pages=71–79}}</ref> [[Genetic]] analysis has shown that it is closely related with the [[Asian Golden Cat]] and the [[Bay Cat]], all of which diverged from the other felids about 9.4 million years ago.<ref name="johnson+al">Johnson, W. E., Eizirik, E., Pecon-Slattery, J., Murphy, W. J., Antunes, A., Teeling, E., O'Brien, S. J. (2006) [http://home.ncifcrf.gov/ccr/lgd/mammal%20pdfs/MS545_Johnson_Science.pdf ''The late miocene radiation of modern felidae: A genetic assessment'']. Science 311: 73–77</ref> |
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==Characteristics== |
==Characteristics== |
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[[File:Marbled cat borneo.jpg|thumb|left|A Marbled cat in [[Danum Valley Conservation Area|Danum Valley]], [[Borneo]]]] |
[[File:Marbled cat borneo.jpg|thumb|left|A Marbled cat in [[Danum Valley Conservation Area|Danum Valley]], [[Borneo]]]] |
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The |
The marbled cat is similar in size to a [[domestic cat]], with a longer, more thickly furred tail, an adaptation to its [[arboreal]] life-style, where the tail is used as a counterbalance. Marbled cats range from {{convert|45|to|62|cm|in}} in head-body length, with a {{convert|35|to|55|cm|in}} tail. Recorded weights vary between {{convert|2|and|5|kg|lb}}.<ref name=WCoW>{{cite book|author=Sunquist, Mel|author2=Sunquist, Fiona|year=2002|title= Wild cats of the World |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location= Chicago |pages= 373–376|isbn= 0-226-77999-8}}</ref> |
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The fur is blotched and banded like a [[marble]], usually compared to the markings of the much larger [[Clouded Leopard]]. In colour, the base fur ranges from pale yellow through to brownish grey with lighter underparts. There are dark spots on the legs, underparts, and forehead, with bands on the tail and stripes on the neck and along the middle of the back. There are also white bands on the backs of the ears.<ref name=WCoW/> |
The fur is blotched and banded like a [[marble]], usually compared to the markings of the much larger [[Clouded Leopard]]. In colour, the base fur ranges from pale yellow through to brownish grey with lighter underparts. There are dark spots on the legs, underparts, and forehead, with bands on the tail and stripes on the neck and along the middle of the back. There are also white bands on the backs of the ears.<ref name=WCoW/> |
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==Distribution and habitat== |
==Distribution and habitat== |
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Marbled cats are found in tropical [[Indomalaya]] westward along the [[Himalaya]]n foothills westward into [[Nepal]] and eastward into southwest [[China]], and on the islands of [[Sumatra]] and [[Borneo]]. They are primarily associated with moist and mixed [[Deciduous forest|deciduous]]-[[Evergreen forest|evergreen]] [[tropical forest]].<ref name=iucn/> |
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The range of the Marbled Cat extends from [[Assam]] in northeast India, with the ''P. m. charltoni'' subspecies in [[Nepal]], through southeast Asia including [[Borneo]] and [[Sumatra]], which were linked to the mainland of Asia during the [[Pleistocene]] [[ice age]]s. It inhabits forested environments from sea level to {{convert|3000|m|ft|abbr=on}}. |
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Two subspecies are recognized:<ref>Pocock, R.I. (1939) [http://www.archive.org/stream/PocockMammalia1/pocock1#page/n327/mode/2up ''The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma''. Mammalia. – Volume 1.] Taylor and Francis, London.</ref> |
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*''Pardofelis marmorata marmorata'' described by [[William Charles Linnaeus Martin]] in 1837 — lives in Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo northward to [[Myanmar]]; |
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*''Pardofelis marmorata charltoni'' described by [[John Edward Gray]] in 1846 — occurs in northern Myanmar, [[Sikkim]], [[Darjeeling]] and Nepal. |
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==Behavior and biology== |
==Behavior and biology== |
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It is probable that forest canopies provide the |
It is probable that forest canopies provide the marbled cat with much of its prey: birds, squirrels, other rodents and reptiles<ref name=WCoW/>; there are reports that the cat also hunts on the ground in parts of its range{{citation needed|date=July 2010}}. From the few observations conducted, marbled cats seem to be [[crepuscular]] or [[nocturnal]] and to range across an area of approximately {{convert|5.8|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} in search of prey.<ref name=Grassman>{{cite journal | author = Grassman, L.I. Jr. & Tewes, M.E. | year = 2000 | title = Marbled cat in northeastern Thailand | journal = Cat News | volume = 33 | url=http://www.catsg.org/catnews/20_cat-news-website/home/index_en.htm | pages = 24}}</ref>. |
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A few marbled cats have been bred in captivity, with [[gestation]] estimated at between 66 and 82 days. In the few recorded instances, two kittens were born in each litter, and weighed from {{convert|61|to|85|g|oz}}. The eyes open at around twelve days, and the kittens begin to take solid food at two months, around the time that they begin actively climbing.<ref name=WCoW/> |
A few marbled cats have been bred in captivity, with [[gestation]] estimated at between 66 and 82 days. In the few recorded instances, two kittens were born in each litter, and weighed from {{convert|61|to|85|g|oz}}. The eyes open at around twelve days, and the kittens begin to take solid food at two months, around the time that they begin actively climbing.<ref name=WCoW/> |
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It is rarely sighted in its densely forested habitat, and little studied or understood. Its population is estimated at below 10,000 mature individuals. Its forested habitats have been shrinking, accounting for its vulnerable listing in [[IUCN]].<ref name=iucn/> |
It is rarely sighted in its densely forested habitat, and little studied or understood. Its population is estimated at below 10,000 mature individuals. Its forested habitats have been shrinking, accounting for its vulnerable listing in [[IUCN]].<ref name=iucn/> |
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The only captive |
The only captive marbled cats registered by [[International Species Information System|ISIS]] are a pair kept at a breeding center in the [[United Arab Emirates]].<ref>[http://app.isis.org/abstracts/Abs76230.asp Captive ''Pardofelis marmorata'' in zoos] - ISIS. Version 4 November 2010</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 13:31, 31 March 2011
| Marbled Cat[1] | |
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| Genus: | Pardofelis Severtzov, 1858
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| Species: | P. marmorata
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| Binomial name | |
| Pardofelis marmorata (Martin, 1837)
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| Marbled cat range | |
The Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata) is a small wild cat of South and Southeast Asia. Since 2002 it has been listed as vulnerable by IUCN as it occurs at low densities, and its total effective population size is suspected to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with no single population numbering more than 1,000.[2]
The species was once considered to belong to the pantherine lineage of "big cats".[3] Genetic analysis has shown that it is closely related with the Asian Golden Cat and the Bay Cat, all of which diverged from the other felids about 9.4 million years ago.[4]
Characteristics
The marbled cat is similar in size to a domestic cat, with a longer, more thickly furred tail, an adaptation to its arboreal life-style, where the tail is used as a counterbalance. Marbled cats range from 45 to 62 centimetres (18 to 24 in) in head-body length, with a 35 to 55 centimetres (14 to 22 in) tail. Recorded weights vary between 2 and 5 kilograms (4.4 and 11.0 lb).[5]
The fur is blotched and banded like a marble, usually compared to the markings of the much larger Clouded Leopard. In colour, the base fur ranges from pale yellow through to brownish grey with lighter underparts. There are dark spots on the legs, underparts, and forehead, with bands on the tail and stripes on the neck and along the middle of the back. There are also white bands on the backs of the ears.[5]
In addition to its long tail, the marbled cat can also be distinguished by its large feet, a feature it shares with the Clouded Leopard. It also possesses unusually large canine teeth, resembling those of the big cats, although these appear to be the result of parallel evolution.[5]
Distribution and habitat
Marbled cats are found in tropical Indomalaya westward along the Himalayan foothills westward into Nepal and eastward into southwest China, and on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. They are primarily associated with moist and mixed deciduous-evergreen tropical forest.[2]
Two subspecies are recognized:[6]
- Pardofelis marmorata marmorata described by William Charles Linnaeus Martin in 1837 — lives in Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo northward to Myanmar;
- Pardofelis marmorata charltoni described by John Edward Gray in 1846 — occurs in northern Myanmar, Sikkim, Darjeeling and Nepal.
Behavior and biology
It is probable that forest canopies provide the marbled cat with much of its prey: birds, squirrels, other rodents and reptiles[5]; there are reports that the cat also hunts on the ground in parts of its range[citation needed]. From the few observations conducted, marbled cats seem to be crepuscular or nocturnal and to range across an area of approximately 5.8 km2 (2.2 sq mi) in search of prey.[7].
A few marbled cats have been bred in captivity, with gestation estimated at between 66 and 82 days. In the few recorded instances, two kittens were born in each litter, and weighed from 61 to 85 grams (2.2 to 3.0 oz). The eyes open at around twelve days, and the kittens begin to take solid food at two months, around the time that they begin actively climbing.[5]
Marbled cats reach sexual maturity at 21 or 22 months of age, and have lived for up to twelve years in captivity.[5]
Conservation
It is rarely sighted in its densely forested habitat, and little studied or understood. Its population is estimated at below 10,000 mature individuals. Its forested habitats have been shrinking, accounting for its vulnerable listing in IUCN.[2]
The only captive marbled cats registered by ISIS are a pair kept at a breeding center in the United Arab Emirates.[8]
References
- ^ Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 542. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ a b c d Template:IUCN
- ^ Hemmer, H. (1978). "The evolutionary systematics of living Felidae: Present status and current problems". Carnivore. 1: 71–79.
- ^ Johnson, W. E., Eizirik, E., Pecon-Slattery, J., Murphy, W. J., Antunes, A., Teeling, E., O'Brien, S. J. (2006) The late miocene radiation of modern felidae: A genetic assessment. Science 311: 73–77
- ^ a b c d e f Sunquist, Mel; Sunquist, Fiona (2002). Wild cats of the World. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 373–376. ISBN 0-226-77999-8.
- ^ Pocock, R.I. (1939) The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Mammalia. – Volume 1. Taylor and Francis, London.
- ^ Grassman, L.I. Jr. & Tewes, M.E. (2000). "Marbled cat in northeastern Thailand". Cat News. 33: 24.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Captive Pardofelis marmorata in zoos - ISIS. Version 4 November 2010
External links
