Leopard ( Panthera pardus ) status, distribution, and the research efforts across its range

PeerJ

article

Andrew P. Jacobson¹  Peter Gerngross⁴  Joseph R. Lemeris Jr.³  Rebecca F. Schoonover³  Corey Anco⁵  Christine Breitenmoser-Würsten⁶  Sarah M. Durant¹  Mohammad S. Farhadinia⁸  Philipp Henschel^1,10  Jan F. Kamler^1,10  Alice Laguardia^1,11  Susana Rostro-García⁹  Andrew B. Stein⁶  Luke Dollar³ 

[1] Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London;Department of Geography, University College London;Big Cats Initiative, National Geographic Society;BIOGEOMAPS;Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University;IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group;Wildlife Conservation Society;Iranian Cheetah Society;Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford;Panthera;The Wildlife Institute, Beijing Forestry University;Landmark College;Department of Biology, Pfeiffer University;Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University

关键词: Leopard;    Panthera pardus;    Decline;    Distribution;    Carnivore conservation;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.1974

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

The leopard’s (Panthera pardus) broad geographic range, remarkable adaptability, and secretive nature have contributed to a misconception that this species might not be severely threatened across its range. We find that not only are several subspecies and regional populations critically endangered but also the overall range loss is greater than the average for terrestrial large carnivores. To assess the leopard’s status, we compile 6,000 records at 2,500 locations from over 1,300 sources on its historic (post 1750) and current distribution. We map the species across Africa and Asia, delineating areas where the species is confirmed present, is possibly present, is possibly extinct or is almost certainly extinct. The leopard now occupies 25–37% of its historic range, but this obscures important differences between subspecies. Of the nine recognized subspecies, three (P. p. pardus, fusca, and saxicolor) account for 97% of the leopard’s extant range while another three (P. p. orientalis, nimr, and japonensis) have each lost as much as 98% of their historic range. Isolation, small patch sizes, and few remaining patches further threaten the six subspecies that each have less than 100,000 km2 of extant range. Approximately 17% of extant leopard range is protected, although some endangered subspecies have far less. We found that while leopard research was increasing, research effort was primarily on the subspecies with the most remaining range whereas subspecies that are most in need of urgent attention were neglected.

【 授权许可】

CC BY