DOCSLIB.ORG

Population Genetics and Structure of the Sumatran Tiger

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Population Genetics and Structure of the Sumatran Tiger Population Genetics and Structure of the Sumatran tiger Olutolani Smith A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Division of Biology, Imperial College London May 2012 Declaration I confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own. Where information has been derived from other sources I confirm that this has been appropriately referenced. © The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without her prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged. - 2 - Abstract The two key determinants of population persistence in fragmented landscapes are population size and connectivity. Populations with high levels of genetic variation and large population size are expected to have a lower risk of extinction. Similarly, populations with high rates of connectivity are expected to persist long-term. For many elusive landscape species it is difficult to obtain direct estimates of these parameters, but genetic sampling can offer powerful indirect assessments. Whilst these techniques have been applied to the study of many wide-ranging carnivores, this study represents the first example in the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae). Extensive field surveys were conducted to collect faecal samples from several Tiger Conservation Landscapes and protected areas on Sumatra. Samples were then processed according to optimised protocols to obtain reliable results. In order to quantify extinction risk I first estimated genetic variation and effective population size using microsatellite loci. I also determined relative levels of connectivity using estimates of differentiation (FST), gene flow and genetic clustering. Results indicate that Sumatran tigers have high levels of genetic variation and that their effective population size is within the expected range. There is very little population structure and there is no obvious evidence for barriers to dispersal. The Batang Hari/Kerinci Seblat ecosystem emerged as a potential source population and in contrast there was some evidence of isolation affecting the population of Way Kambas NP in the extreme south of the island. Overall, despite high levels of human land cover conversion over the past 20-30 years, few genetic changes have been expressed in the Sumatran tiger. The immediate threat to tigers is not the loss of genetic diversity, but the rapidly declining area of suitable habitat in which they can survive. - 3 - Acknowledgements This project would not have been possible without the help and support of a huge number of people both in Indonesia and the UK. My supervisors Tim Coulson, Jinliang Wang and Chris Carbone deserve special mention for believing that a shy, small animal vet could sample one of the world's most elusive cats on the sixth largest island in the world. Their knowledge, expertise and guidance has been invaluable. Special thanks must also go to Dada Gottelli whose yoda-like advice has proved that when the force is with you the scat is not your enemy. Thanks also to the IOZ genetics theme and the lab gurus Rob Pickles, Patricia Brekke, Kate Ciborowski and Geoff Hobbs whose lab advice got me through the early days of trying to appease the PCR gods. UK support was also provided by Sarah Christie, Malcolm Fitzpatrick and BIAZA who were instrumental in encouraging zoos to provide samples for an initial pilot study. Samples were donated by Howletts Wild Animal Park, Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Dublin zoo, Dudley zoo, London zoo, Paignton zoo and Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens. Tiger samples from Sumatra were kindly sent to the Eijkman lab by the following people: Tom Maddox, Dolly Priatna and Citra Novalina (ZSL Indonesia Program), Karmila Parakkasi, Wishnu Sukmantoro and Sunarto (WWF Riau), Matt Linkie, Elva Gemita and Yoan Dinata (FFI Batang Hari), Agung Nugroho (FFI Kerinci), Tony Sumampau, Retno Sudarwati and Hariyo Wibisono (HarimauKita and Taman Safari Indonesia), Iding Haidir and Rahmad Simbolon (Sembilang NP), Matt Linkie and Dolly Priatna (FFI Aceh). I am also grateful to the staff at Way Kambas NP, Kerinci Seblat NP and PT Andalas Merapi Timber for being adventurous enough to participate in the detection dog surveys. Sumianto, Ali Mashuri, Sunarwanto and Nur Alim (Way Kambas NP), Rika Putra Abbas and Hambali (Kerinci Seblat NP), Dwi Adhiasto and Lilik Prastowo (Bukit Barisan Selatan NP) all provided welcome assistance in the field. I also received great support from office and field staff in the Wildlife Conservation Society Indonesia Program. In particular, I am grateful to Nick - 4 - Brickle, Noviar Andayani and Minda Saanin for readily providing introductions and support letters for numerous permits and visas. Ibu Yani, I hope this project serves as the spark you needed to fire up the genetics revolution in Indonesia! Elva Gemita, Gigih Suparmano and Jasman were core members of the scat collection A-team. Elva as always had boundless energy and an infectious spirit that was wonderful to work alongside. We had many giggles and bonded over a shared love of Green & Blacks chocolate. Gigih willingly ferried people, equipment and dogs through most of west Sumatra, and Jasman excelled as the master scat spotter. Although not officially part of the field team, Pak Heri and Pak Wawan drove for 18 hours from Java to Sumatra and back again to transport me, Rudi and all our equipment to base camp. Pak Heri also waited patiently in many car parks while I pursued dogs, scats and permits all over Java and south Sumatra. Karmele, Magda and Lia also helped to organise the paperwork and logistics involved with moving Rudi between Java and Sumatra. The detection dog surveys benefitted from the initial guidance of Amy Dickman, and later from the teaching of Richard Clarke and Stanley the wonder dog. I am particularly grateful to Richard for handler training in the UK and for his willingness to come to Indonesia to train Rudi. I'm sure that is something the residents of Bogor will never forget! And of course I must thank Rudi himself for keeping his spirit despite the many trials we put him through. The Eijkman laboratory were kind enough to let me bring smelly samples into their wonderful facility. Prof Sankot Marzuki, Dr Herawati Sudoyo and Dr Helena Surjadi were supportive from the very beginning and now have a growing wildlife forensics service. Thank you also to Dr Safarina Malik for giving up her lab space and for her unfailing positive energy, Eva for her calm acceptance of my endless sequencer runs and Wulan for her support and friendship. During my time in Indonesia the 'Bogor massive' made me feel very welcome as the newbie on the block and introduced me to the joys of Bintang, G&Ts and pot luck. In particular, heartfelt thanks go to Nick, Anna, Robbie and Alex for welcoming such a - 5 - bewildered ex-pat into their home. Thank you to my friends and family who have been wonderful over the past few years, even though I'm sure they still don't understand what it is I've been doing. Watch this space - there are more adventures to come! At the IOZ my office mates Lisa Signorile, Martina di Fonzo and Farid Belbachir have had to endure many months of grumbling but we have also had some great conversations about food and the meaning of life. I know that you will do well in your PhDs and go on to great things. And last but not least, thank you to Joe for being a source of inspiration and encouragement since the day we met. I wouldn't be on this crazy journey if it wasn't for you. I have been helped along the way and have been given advice by so many people that I may have missed one or two. My sincerest apologies if that happens to be you. This study was funded by a National Environment Research Council (NERC)/CASE Studentship and I also received valuable support from the Panthera-Kaplan Graduate Award scheme and the Zoological Society of London. Indonesian research permits were provided by the Ministry of Research & Technology (Ristek), the Department of Forestry, and the Department for Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHKA). - 6 - Contents Declaration 2 Abstract 3 Acknowledgements 4 Contents 7 List of Tables 15 List of Figures 16 1. Research Background 18 1.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………19 1.2 Metapopulation dynamics ………………………………………………20 1.2.1. Patch size & isolation ………………………………………………21 1.2.2. Extinction threshold ………………………………………………23 1.2.3. Time lag ……………………………………………………………23 1.2.4. Stochasticity…………………………………………………………24 1.2.5. Source-sink dynamics ……………………………………………24 1.2.6. Extinction risk ………………………………………………………25 1.3 Landscape ecology ……………………………………………………25 - 7 - 1.3.1. Population viability …………………………………………………26 1.3.2. Matrix quality & patch boundaries ………………………………27 1.3.3. Connectivity & corridors ……………………………………………29 1.3.4. Population persistence ……………………………………………30 1.4 Population genetics ……………………………………………………30 1.4.1. Population size ……………………………………………………31 1.4.2. Isolation ……………………………………………………………33 1.4.3. Extinction risk ………………………………………………………35 1.5 Landscape genetics ……………………………………………………35 1.5.1. Isolation by distance ………………………………………………36 1.5.2. Barriers to dispersal ………………………………………………37 1.5.3. Functional connectivity ……………………………………………38 1.5.4. Population persistence & connectivity……………………………39 1.6 Overall summary ………………………………………………………40 1.7 Case study - the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) ………41 1.7.1. Sumatra ……………………………………………………………41 1.7.2. Sumatran tigers ……………………………………………………42 1.7.3. Threats ………………………………………………………………43 1.7.4. Population viability …………………………………………………45 1.7.5. Genetics ……………………………………………………………47 1.7.6. Further study ………………………………………………………50 Thesis outline 51 - 8 - 2. Sampling effects in Conservation Genetics Studies 52 2.1 Abstract 53 2.2 Introduction ………………………………………………………………53 2.3 Methods …………………………………………………………………56 2.3.1. Simulated data………………………………………………………56 2.3.2. Genetic parameters ………………………………………………56 2.4 Results ……………………………………………………………………59 2.4.1. Genetic diversity and sample size ………………………………59 2.4.2. Population structure and sample size ……………………………60 2.5 Discussion ………………………………………………………………63 3.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Craniometric Variation in the Tiger (Panthera Tigris): Implications for Patterns of Diversity, Taxonomy and Conservation Ji H
    ARTICLE IN PRESS www.elsevier.de/mambio ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION Craniometric variation in the tiger (Panthera tigris): Implications for patterns of diversity, taxonomy and conservation Ji H. Maza´ kà Shanghai Science and Technology Museum (formerly Shanghai Museum of Natural History), 260 Yan-an Road (East), Shanghai 200002, PR China Received 4 May 2008; accepted 26 June 2008 Abstract Patterns of geographical variation in tigers are reviewed extensively by a morphometric analysis based on 273 skulls of certain wild origin. The following principal observations emerging from this investigation are found: 1. Modern tigers contain two basic forms: the mainland Asia tiger and the Sunda Island tiger. They are differentiated markedly in skull morphology as well as other morphological characters, the characteristic skull shape and small body size in Java/Bali tigers can be interpreted as adaptational responses to a particular island landscape type and prey species fauna, an evolutionary process known as insular dwarfism. 2. The Sumatran tiger (P.t. sumatrae) probably represents a hybrid of mainland and Island tigers, which originated from mainland Southeast Asia, colonized Indonesia and hybridized with the Sunda island tigers (Java tiger) during the late Pleistocene, and was subsequently completely isolated from both the mainland Southeast Asia and Java/ Bali populations. 3. Among the mainland Asia tigers, the Amur or Siberian tiger is the most distinct; India, Indochinese and South China tigers are craniometrically distinguishable on average, but with clear overlaps; the Caspian tiger, on the other hand, is indistinguishable from other mainland forms and extensively overlaps with both the Northern and Southern Asia subspecies. 4. Most proportional craniometric differences among tigers observed from this study are mainly allometric; the pattern of craniometric variation in mainland tigers is clearly clinal; craniometric variation and sexual dimorphism are closely related.
    [Show full text]
  • The Illegal Exploitation of the Javan Leopard (
    Nature Conservation 43: 25–39 (2021) A peer-reviewed open-access journal doi: 10.3897/natureconservation.43.59399 RESEARCH ARticlE https://natureconservation.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity conservation The illegal exploitation of the Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas) and Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi) in Indonesia Lalita Gomez1,2, Chris R. Shepherd1 1 Monitor Conservation Research Society, Big Lake, Canada 2 Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK Corresponding author: Chris R. Shepherd ([email protected]) Academic editor: M. Auliya | Received 6 October 2020 | Accepted 15 January 2021 | Published 22 March 2021 http://zoobank.org/17D9AAB6-8A94-4B5A-932F-6633FAD5D42B Citation: Gomez L, Shepherd CR (2021) The illegal exploitation of the Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas) and Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi) in Indonesia. Nature Conservation 43: 25–39. https://doi.org/10.3897/ natureconservation.43.59399 Abstract Indonesia is home to the Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas) and the Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi), both of which are threatened by habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict issues and the illegal wildlife trade. Leopards and clouded leopards are threatened by the illegal wildlife trade across their range, how- ever, very little is known of the illegal trade in these two species in Indonesia, or of the efforts made to tackle this crime. Both the Javan Leopard and Sunda Clouded Leopard are protected species in Indonesia and both species are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), meaning commercial international trade is generally prohibited. To better understand the trade, and efforts to end this trade, we collected records of seizures and prosecutions relating to Javan Leopards and Sunda Clouded Leopards in Indonesia for the period 2011–2019.
    [Show full text]
  • EAZA Tiger Campaign
    B USHMEAT | R AINFOREST | T I GER | S HELLSHOCK | R HINO | M ADAGASCAR | A MPHIBIAN | C ARNIVORE | A PE EAZA Conservation Campaigns Over the last ten years Europe’s leading zoos and EAZA Tiger aquariums have worked together in addressing a variety of issues affecting a range of species and habitats. EAZA’s annual conservation campaigns have Campaign raised funds and promoted awareness amongst 2002-2004 millions of zoo visitors each year, as well as providing the impetus for key regulatory change. | INTRODUCTION | The Tiger campaign was EAZA's third campaign and the first to run for two years, from September 2002 until September 2004. It was launched to raise awareness for the conservation concerns facing tigers in the wild. About a century ago seven to eight subspecies of tiger still roamed the planet, but due to habitat loss, hunting and illegal wildlife trade three subspecies became extinct. For this campaign EAZA collaborated with 21st Century Tiger, a wild tiger conservation partnership between the Zoological Society of London and Global Tiger Patrol, which raises funds for tiger conservation projects in the field. | CAMPAIGN AIMS | Data suggests that in 2008 there were about 3,800 to 5,180 tigers left in the wildi, and their populations are shrinking further due to increased human activity. Their habitats across Asia are confined, small and isolated. The EAZA Tiger Campaign aimed, therefore, to promote awareness of the threats tigers face in their natural habitats, while at the same time raising the profile of zoos as conservation organisations. Additionally it was aimed to raise funds to support wild tiger conservation projects.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing the Distribution and Habitat Use of Four Felid Species in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia
    Global Ecology and Conservation 3 (2015) 210–221 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Global Ecology and Conservation journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/gecco Original research article Assessing the distribution and habitat use of four felid species in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia Jennifer L. McCarthy a,∗, Hariyo T. Wibisono b,c, Kyle P. McCarthy b, Todd K. Fuller a, Noviar Andayani c a Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, MA 01003, USA b Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, 248B Townsend Hall, Newark, DE 19716, USA c Wildlife Conservation Society—Indonesia Program, Jalan Atletik No. 8, Tanah Sareal, Bogor 16161, Indonesia article info a b s t r a c t Article history: There have been few targeted studies of small felids in Sumatra and there is little in- Received 24 October 2014 formation on their ecology. As a result there are no specific management plans for the Received in revised form 17 November species on Sumatra. We examined data from a long-term camera trapping effort, and used 2014 Maximum Entropy Modeling to assess the habitat use and distribution of Sunda clouded Accepted 17 November 2014 leopards (Neofelis diardi), Asiatic golden cats (Pardofelis temminckii), leopard cats (Pri- Available online 21 November 2014 onailurus bengalensis), and marbled cats (Pardofelis marmorata) in Bukit Barisan Sela- tan National Park. Over a period of 34,166 trap nights there were low photo rates (photo Keywords: Species distribution modeling events/100 trap nights) for all species; 0.30 for golden cats, 0.15 for clouded leopards, 0.10 Neofelis diardi for marbled cats, and 0.08 for leopard cats.
    [Show full text]
  • Bukit Barisan Selatan Tiger Conservation Program: from Understanding to Action
    BUKIT BARISAN SELATAN TIGER CONSERVATION PROGRAM: FROM UNDERSTANDING TO ACTION A FINAL REPORT TO THE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION SAVE THE TIGER FUND FROM THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY AUGUST 2005 Project #: 2004-0103-013 Grant Amount: $50,000 Grant Period: March 15, 2004 through June 30, 2005 Dates Covered by report: March 15, 2004 through June 30, 2005 Contacts: Colin Poole Linde E. T. Ostro, Ph.D. Director Director Asia Program Foundation Relations Wildlife Conservation Society Wildlife Conservation Society 2300 Southern Boulevard 2300 Southern Boulevard Bronx, NY 10460 Bronx, NY 10460 T: 718.741.5885 T: 718.220.6891 F: 718.364.4275 F: 718.364.7963 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 1 WCS PROJECT PARTICIPANTS Project Supervisor: Dr. Noviar Andayani Project Manager: Untung Wijayanto Report Prepared By: Antonia Gorog & Donny Gunaryadi Administration Frida Mindasari Saanin Wianasari Isye Wardeni Tiger monitoring team Iswandri Tanjung Pandu Baroto Decky Kristiyantono Rusli Usman, Herwansyah Susilo Hagnyo Wandono Mohammed Zubair Erwin Willyanto Adnun Salampessy Ground survey & GIS David L.A. Gaveau Aslan Wildlife Crimes Unit, Sumatra Harry Alexander Dwi Adhiasto Marihot Manurung Edi Sofyan Sunari WCS CANOPI staff Didik Purwanto Edison Fitri Hendriyani Mochamad Saleh Yoki Hadiprakarsa Anton Nurcahyo Aslan Meyner Nusalawo Maya Prasetyaningrum Diah Dwiyahreni Dedi Permadi 2 PROJECT INTRODUCTION Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP), in Lampung and Bengkulu provinces of southern Sumatra, Indonesia, is one of a handful of remaining refuges for the Sumatran subspecies of tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae). This park – the third largest protected area on Sumatra at 3,568 km2 – is of high conservation value.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 1: Introduction
    Husbandry Guidelines For The Tiger Panthera tigris (Mammalia: Felidae ) By Rachael Baker Western Institute of Sydney 2006 Supervisors: Graeme Phipps, Andrew Titmus Jacki Selkeld and Elissa Smith Status: endangered 1 Tigers are always to be considered DANGEROUS *You should never be alone with a tiger when in close proximity, even when they are under anesthetic. *You should never attempt to physically handle a tiger. *Never enter a tiger enclosure or den unless you have checked that they are secure elsewhere. *Never cross over the warning line around dens or exhibits when a tiger is in residence. *Any locks should always be double checked by another keeper before bringing an animal into a den and after putting it out on exhibit. *Do not handle cubs unless you have double checked the mother is secure. 2 First, it is clear that tigers in captivity are dangerous animals that can cause serious harm to visitors and handlers alike any time they come in direct contact with these animals. Despite the appearance of pseudo-domestication in some trained tigers, these animals retain their predatory instincts and neural-visceral reflexes, and they can inflict serious wounds using their teeth or claws suddenly and without forewarning. Tigers (and other large cats) have the ability to cause significant trauma and hidden injuries. The most common location for these injuries is the nape of the neck—tigers and other large cats can realign their jaws so that they can bite down between a victim’s vertebrae and into the spinal cord. Bite wounds can also result in significant bacterial infections (Nyhus et al, 2003).
    [Show full text]
  • Sumatran Tiger
    [ABCDE] Volume 1, Issue 7 Nov. 6, 2001 CURRICULUM GUIDE: TIGERS e r I n E d u c a p a p t i o w s n P N e r o t g s r a P o m n t o g i n h s T a h e W C e u h r T r i f c u O l u e r m o C A t e T h h T e t C A o r m KLMNO e u l O u An Integrated Curriculum c f i r Resource Program T r h u e C W e a h s T h i n g t o n P m o a s r t g N o r e P w s n p o a i p t a e c r u I d n E ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO IN THIS ISSUE Word Study Tiger Resources Wild Vocabulary 2 4 7 A look at extinction Tigers in Print Academic Content 3 5 Endangered Species 8 Standards © 2001 The Washington Post Company An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program KLMNO Volume 1, Issue 7 Nov. 6, 2001 Sumatran Tiger Tiger Resources KidsPost Article: "Earning His Stripes” On the Web and in Print ON THE WEB http://www.fonz.org/animals/tigertiger/tiger- Lesson: Investigating rare and endangered animals cubpr1.htm Level: Intermediate Friends of the National Zoo Subjects: Science See pictures and learn about Sumatran tigers at the zoo. Related Activity: Geography, English, Language Arts www.5tigers.org Procedure 5 Tigers: The Tiger Information Center Dedicated to providing an international forum focusing Read and Discuss on the preservation of wild tigers across Asia and in Read the KidsPost article.
    [Show full text]
  • Dramatic Decline of Wild South China Tigers Panthera Tigris Amoyensis: Field Survey of Priority Tiger Reserves
    Colby College Digital Commons @ Colby Faculty Scholarship 1-1-2004 Dramatic decline of wild South China tigers Panthera tigris amoyensis: field survey of priority tiger reserves Ronald Tilson Hu Defu Jeff Muntifering Philip J. Nyhus Colby College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/faculty_scholarship Part of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, and the International and Area Studies Commons Recommended Citation Tilson, Ronald; Defu, Hu; Muntifering, Jeff; and Nyhus, Philip J., "Dramatic decline of wild South China tigers Panthera tigris amoyensis: field survey of priority tiger reserves" (2004). Faculty Scholarship. 10. https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/faculty_scholarship/10 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ Colby. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Scholarship by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Colby. Oryx Vol 38 No 1 January 2004 Dramatic decline of wild South China tigers Panthera tigris amoyensis: field survey of priority tiger reserves Ronald Tilson, Hu Defu, Jeff Muntifering and Philip J. Nyhus Abstract This paper describes results of a Sino- tree farms and other habitat conversion is common, and American field survey seeking evidence of South China people and their livestock dominate these fragments. While tigers Panthera tigris amoyensis in the wild. In 2001 and our survey may not have been exhaustive, and there may 2002 field surveys were conducted in eight reserves in be a single tiger or a few isolated tigers still remaining at five provinces identified by government authorities as sites we missed, our results strongly indicate that no habitat most likely to contain tigers.
    [Show full text]
  • SUMATRAN TIGER CARNIVORA Family: Felidae Genus: Panthera Species: Tigris
    SUMATRAN TIGER CARNIVORA Family: Felidae Genus: Panthera Species: tigris sumatrae Range: Island of Sumatra near the Malaysian Peninsula Habitat: Evergreen forest, swamp forest, grassland and tropical rain forest. Niche: nocturnal/crepuscular, terrestrial, carnivorous Wild diet: wild pig and Sambar deer Zoo diet: fortified horsemeat Life Span: (Wild) 15 yrs (Captivity) 26 yrs Sexual dimorphism: Male is larger and heavier than female Location in SF Zoo: Lion House APPEARANCE & PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS: The background color of the upper parts ranges from reddish orange to reddish brown while the under parts are creamy to white. The head, body, tail and limbs have a series of narrow vertically oriented black, grey, or brown stripes though they are proportionally wider than the others. The Sumatran is the smallest of the five remaining tiger subspecies and has the darkest coat. Their smaller size makes it easier for them to make their way through the jungle where they can stalk and ambush their prey. The hind limbs are longer than the fore limbs that along with the shoulders are more heavily muscled (more so than the hind limbs). The forepaws have long, sharp retractile claws enabling them to grab and hold prey once contact is made. The skull is foreshortened, thus increasing the shearing leverage of the powerful Weight: M 200-350 lbs jaws. Ears have well developed earflaps that are keen sound collectors. F 180 - 300 The tongue is coated with sharp-pointed papillae, which retains and Length: 7.2 - 8.9 ft lacerates food, and rasp flesh off a carcass. This tiger has distinctively TL: 23.5 - 37 ins.
    [Show full text]
  • Nowhere to Hide: the Trade in Sumatran Tiger
    NOWHERE TO HIDE: THE TRADE IN SUMATRAN TIGER CHRIS R. SHEPHERD NOLAN MAGNUS A TRAFFIC SOUTHEAST ASIA REPORT © 2004 TRAFFIC Southeast Asia All rights reserved. All material appearing in this publication is copyrighted and may be produced with permission. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must credit TRAFFIC Southeast Asia as the copyright owner. The views of the authors expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the TRAFFIC Network, WWF or IUCN. The designations of geographical entities in this publication, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of TRAFFIC or its supporting organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The TRAFFIC symbol copyright and Registered Trademark ownership is held by WWF, TRAFFIC is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN. Layout by Noorainie Awang Anak, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia Suggested citation: Shepherd, Chris R. and Magnus, Nolan (2004). Nowhere to hide: The trade in Sumatran Tiger TRAFFIC Southeast Asia Cover photograph: Chris R. Shepherd / TRAFFIC Southeast Asia NOWHERE TO HIDE: The Trade in Sumatran Tiger NOWHERE TO HIDE: THE TRADE IN SUMATRAN TIGER CHRIS R. SHEPHERD NOLAN MAGNUS TRADE OF THE SUMATRAN TIGER Panthera tigris sumatrae TRADE OF THE SUMATRAN TIGER Panthera tigris sumatrae TRADE OF THE SUMATRAN TIGER Panthera tigris sumatrae TRADE OF THE SUMATRAN TIGER Asia TRAFFIC Southeast Panthera tigris sumatrae Credit: NOWHERE TO HIDE: The Trade in Sumatran Tiger CONTENTS Key to Abbreviations used in this report iv Acknowledgements v Executive Summary vi 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Nowhere to Hide: the Trade in Sumatran Tiger
    NOWHERE TO HIDE: THE TRADE IN SUMATRAN TIGER CHRIS R. SHEPHERD NOLAN MAGNUS A TRAFFIC SOUTHEAST ASIA REPORT © 2004 TRAFFIC Southeast Asia All rights reserved. All material appearing in this publication is copyrighted and may be produced with permission. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must credit TRAFFIC Southeast Asia as the copyright owner. The views of the authors expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the TRAFFIC Network, WWF or IUCN. The designations of geographical entities in this publication, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of TRAFFIC or its supporting organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The TRAFFIC symbol copyright and Registered Trademark ownership is held by WWF, TRAFFIC is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN. Layout by Noorainie Awang Anak, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia Suggested citation: Shepherd, Chris R. and Magnus, Nolan (2004). Nowhere to hide: The trade in Sumatran Tiger TRAFFIC Southeast Asia Cover photograph: Chris R. Shepherd / TRAFFIC Southeast Asia NOWHERE TO HIDE: The Trade in Sumatran Tiger NOWHERE TO HIDE: THE TRADE IN SUMATRAN TIGER CHRIS R. SHEPHERD NOLAN MAGNUS TRADE OF THE SUMATRAN TIGER Panthera tigris sumatrae TRADE OF THE SUMATRAN TIGER Panthera tigris sumatrae TRADE OF THE SUMATRAN TIGER Panthera tigris sumatrae TRADE OF THE SUMATRAN TIGER Asia TRAFFIC Southeast Panthera tigris sumatrae Credit: NOWHERE TO HIDE: The Trade in Sumatran Tiger CONTENTS Key to Abbreviations used in this report iv Acknowledgements v Executive Summary vi 1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Locally, Nationally and Globally Important
    Leuser at a Crossroads The locally, nationally and globally important Leuser Ecosystem risks being catastrophically damaged if comprehensive restrictions on forest conversion and road construction are not immediately implemented and enforced. Written by David Jay for the Leuser Ecosystem Alliance 1 Leuser at a Crossroads Executive Summary The Leuser Ecosystem is a unique and If decisive action is not taken immediately globally important forest, and one of the the impacts on the entire ecosystem and the largest intact forests left in Southeast Asia. surrounding population will be disastrous and irreversible. – It has been designated as a National Strategic Area for its – Forest loss will lead to species extinctions and soil degradation, Environmental Protection Function, with over 4 million people ultimately making forest restoration impossible. living in the wider landscape relying upon the services it – Large amounts of stored carbon will be released into the provides. atmosphere. – It is a vital habitat for many rare and threatened species – Peat swamps will dry out, releasing further carbon and leading including the Critically Endangered Sumatran orangutan, to persistent fires and haze, and potentially causing large areas Sumatran rhinoceros, Sumatran tiger and Sumatran elephant. to be contaminated by sea water. – It is an important carbon store, with peat swamps in particular – Watershed functions will be lost leading to declining agricultural holding huge amounts of carbon in the layers of peat that have productivity and fish stocks due to erratic water supply, and to been laid down over thousands of years. increased incidence of flooding, drought, landslides and fires. – It is a crucial watershed for the wider area, providing local – Preservation values of the forest from tourism, carbon trading people, agriculture and industry with protection from flooding and low-level local utilisation will also be lost.
    [Show full text]