Zanzibar leopard
The Zanzibar leopard is an African leopard (Panthera pardus adersi) population on Unguja Island in the Zanzibar archipelago, Tanzania, that is considered extirpated due to persecution by local hunters and loss of habitat. It was the island's largest terrestrial carnivore and apex predator.[1][2] The Zanzibari Leopard is the National animal of Tanzanian state of Zanzibar.[3][n 1].
Evolutionary history[edit]
The Zanzibar leopard population is thought to have evolved in isolation from mainland African leopards since at least the end of the Last Ice Age, when the island was separated from mainland Tanzania by rising sea levels. The founder effect and adaptation to local conditions produced a smaller leopard than its continental relatives, and one whose rosettes have partially disintegrated into spots.[4][5] However, despite these visible differences from the mainland populations, the genetic differentiation of this population is much less than is seen for the populations presently treated as genuine subspecies, all of which occur outside of Africa; as such, all of the African populations of leopards are considered to belong to a single subspecies, including the population on Zanzibar.[6]
See also[edit]
- Leopard subspecies: African leopard • Amur leopard • Arabian leopard • Panthera pardus tulliana • Indian leopard • Indochinese leopard • Javan leopard • Sri Lankan leopard • Panthera pardus spelaea
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ Goldman, H. V.; Walsh, M. T. (2002). "Is the Zanzibar Leopard (Panthera pardus adersi) Extinct?". Journal of East African Natural History. 91 (1/2): 15–25. doi:10.2982/0012-8317(2002)91[15:ITZLPP]2.0.CO;2. Unknown parameter
|name-list-style=ignored (help) - ↑ Walsh, M. T.; Goldman, H. V. (2008). "Updating the Inventory of Zanzibar Leopard Specimens". Cat News. 49: 4–6. Unknown parameter
|name-list-style=ignored (help) - ↑ "Zanzibar". Archived from the original on 2016-11-28. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help)[non-primary source needed] - ↑ Pakenham, R.H.W. (1984). The Mammals of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands. Harpenden: Pakenham. Search this book on
- ↑ Kingdon, J. (1989). Island Africa: The Evolution of Africa's Rare Animals and Plants. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Search this book on
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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External links[edit]
- The Zanzibar Leopard: Anthropology and Conservation in Zanzibar
- Wildlife Expert Catches 'Extinct' Zanzibar Leopard on Camera
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