Previously unrecorded short-tail trait identified in Tsushima leopard cats

A previously unrecorded physical trait has been identified in Tsushima leopard cats, which live on Japan's Tsushima Island and are estimated to number around 100. During field observations conducted in 2024 and 2025, researchers discovered that three individuals had tails that were significantly shorter than normal.

It was reported that the short tails observed in this critically endangered species were approximately half the length of an average tail. According to scientists, this is a trait that has not been previously reported in Tsushima or other leopard cat populations.

The fact that the same finding was observed in more than one individual weakened the possibility that the tail shortness could be explained solely by trauma or injury. For this reason, researchers investigated the possibility of hybridization with short-tailed domestic cats on the island, as well as genetic or developmental causes.

GENETIC ANALYSIS SHOWS NO EVIDENCE OF HYBRIDIZATION

Scientists from various institutions in Japan sequenced the entire genome of one of the short-tailed individuals and compared the data with genetic data from 5 domestic cats on Tsushima, 15 Tsushima leopard cats with normal tail lengths, and 4 leopard cats from the Asian continent.

The analyses specifically looked at two genes associated with short tails in domestic cats. However, no evidence pointing to recent mating with domestic cats was found in the leopard cats examined.

While researchers noted that inbreeding in small and isolated populations can lead to certain physical abnormalities, they stated that the short-tailed individual examined did not show a higher rate of inbreeding than other leopard cats.

The reason for the emergence of the short-tail trait is currently unknown. Scientists noted that low-level or past hybridization might not have been detected with current methods, and that a rare developmental condition or other factors are also among the possibilities. The research was published in the journal Global Ecology and Conservation.

News Source: 12punto