Sumatran clouded leopard


The Sumatran clouded leopard is a subspecies of the Sunda clouded leopard and is native to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Batu. It differs in molecular, craniomandibular and dental characteristics from the Bornean clouded leopard. It was recognized as a valid subspecies in 2017.

Distribution and habitat

It was recorded in Sumatra's Kerinci Seblat, Gunung Leuser and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Parks.

Evolution

The Sumatran clouded leopard is estimated to have diverged from the Bornean clouded leopard in the Late Pleistocene, between 400 and 120 thousand years ago. Land bridges that were created due to low sea levels in the Late Pleistocene were submerged by rising sea levels, resulting in the Sumatran clouded leopard becoming separated from the mainland population at this time.