Sunda Leopard Cat (Prionailurus javanensis) Classification

The leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), a small wild feline native to Asia, is known for its considerable genetic diversity across its range; however, studies on the mitochondrial genome of Prionailurus bengalensis alleni, a subspecies endemic to Hainan, are lacking. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of the Hainan leopard cat.

Sequencing revealed a genome length of 16,936 bp, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region. Phylogenetic analyses of the 13 protein-coding genes from the mitochondrial genomes of 11 subspecies of leopard cats revealed two well-supported clades (Clade A and Clade B). Within Clade A, P. b. alleni clustered with P. b. chinensis instead of P. b. bengalensis. Genetic distance and divergence time analyses supported the synonymization of P. b. alleni, P. b. chinensis, and P. b. horsfieldi with P. b. bengalensis. P. b. iriomotensis could be considered a synonym for P. b. euptilurus. Clade B corresponds to the recently the recognized species Prionailurus javanensis.

Overall, our findings provide strong support for two P. bengalensis subspecies (P. b. bengalensis and P. b. euptilurus) and two P. javanensis subspecies (P. j. javanensis and P. j. sumatranus), and confirm the interest of using mitochondrial genome for gaining insights into phylogenetic relationships and subspecies taxonomy.

Tu, Feiyun & Qiao, Yaqin & Bai, Yiran. (2025). Original Study Complete mitogenome of Prionailurus bengalensis alleni and taxonomic revisions of leopard cat subspecies. Mammalia. 89. 10.1515/mammalia-2024-0083.

Land use change in agricultural areas has caused wildlife to adapt to living in these areas, such as rice fields. Sunda leopard cats (Prionailurus javanensis) in rice fields have rice field rats as their main prey, which are pests. This cat is useful as a biocontrol of rat pests, but human activities threaten its presence. This study aims to determine farmers' perceptions of the importance of Sunda leopard cat's presence, its conservation and protection, and farmer participation in its conservation in rice fields of Nagari Batu Taba, Agam Regency, West Sumatra.

In June 2023, we employed purposive sampling and conducted semi-structured interviews involving 27 farmers. A mixed-methods approach was used to analyze the data. The results of this study showed that farmers' perceptions were in the 'Good' category for the importance of the cat's presence (76.74%), for conservation and protection (78.08%), and for farmer participation in conservation efforts (93%) in rice fields of Nagari Batu Taba.

Farmers recognize the important role of these cats in the rice field ecosystem as a biological pest control of rice field rats. However, human activities in human-dominated landscapes pose a threat to the survival of these cats. Coexisting in the same area has motivated farmers to undertake conservation efforts to protect cat presence in the rice fields. Therefore, effective conservation efforts involving farmers, researchers, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations are essential. However, the need for further research to develop conservation strategies and evaluate the conservation status of Sunda leopard cat is urgent and cannot be overstated.

Fakhri, Ahmad & Rizaldi, Rizaldi & Aadrean, Aadrean. (2024). Assessing farmer's perceptions of Sunda leopard cats (Prionailurus javanensis) in rice fields area of West Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity. 25. 4397-4405. 10.13057/biodiv/d251139.

The status and ecology of small carnivores on Java is poorly documented. We conducted a camera trapping survey in the Wonorejo Mangroves, a coastal wetland east of the city of Surabaya in north-eastern Java.

This survey yielded photographs of the small Indian civet Viverricula indica, Javan mongoose Urva javanica, Sunda leopard cat Prionailurus javanensis, Asian small-clawed otter Aonyx cinereus, and Sunda palm civet Paradoxurus musangus. They all used dykes between aquaculture ponds to forage and move between vegetation patches, but at different times and frequencies.

We strongly recommend surveying the remaining wetlands on Java to acquire baseline data on the status and conservation needs of small carnivores.

Handono, C.D.; Appel, A.; Febrianto, I.; Rihadini, R.
Small carnivores (Mammalia: Carnivora) in the Wonorejo Mangroves, Jawa Timur, indonesia: habitat use and activity patterns
2023 Raffles bulletin of Zoology (71): 430-442