Phylogenetic analysis of thenuclear DNA in tissue samples from allFelidae species revealed that theevolutionary radiation of the Felidae began in Asia in theMiocene around14.45 to 8.38 million years ago.[8][9] Analysis ofmitochondrial DNA of all Felidae species indicates a radiation at around16.76 to 6.46 million years ago.[10]The Asian golden cat forms anevolutionary lineage together with thebay cat (C. badia) and themarbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), which diverged from acommon ancestor between8.42 to 4.27 million years ago, based on analysis of their nuclear DNA.[8][9] Analysis of their mitochondrial DNA indicates a genetic divergence from their common ancestor between8.47 to 0.41 million years ago.[10]Both models agree that the marbled cat is the first species of this lineage that diverged, while the Asian golden cat and the bay cat diverged from each other about6.42 to 0.03 million years ago[8][10]
The followingcladogram shows the phylogenetic relationships of the Asian golden cat:[8][9][10]
Illustration of skulls of Asian golden cat (bottom) andfishing cat (top)[11]A grey morph of the Asian golden cat,Arunachal Pradesh, India
The Asian golden cat is a medium-sized cat with a head-to-body length of 66–105 cm (26–41 in), with a 40–57 cm (16–22 in) long tail, and is 56 cm (22 in) tall at the shoulder. In weight, it ranges from 9 to 16 kg (20 to 35 lb), which is about two or three times that of a domesticcat (Felis catus).[2]
Since an individual was caught alive in 1831 in Nepal, the country was thought to be the westernmost part of the Asian golden cat's range.[4][23] In the 21st century, it was photographed in the country in May 2009 inMakalu Barun National Park, at an elevation of 2,517 m (8,258 ft).[19] In February 2019, it was also recorded inGaurishankar Conservation Area at an elevation of 2,540 m (8,330 ft).[24]
Asian golden cats are territorial and solitary. Previous observations suggested that they are primarilynocturnal, but a field study on tworadio-collared specimens revealed arrhythmic activity patterns dominated bycrepuscular anddiurnal activity peaks, with much less activity late at night. In the study, the male's territory was 47.7 km2 (18.4 sq mi) in size and increased by more than 15% during therainy season. The female's territory was 32.6 km2 (12.6 sq mi) in size. Both cats traveled between only 55 m (180 ft) to more than 9 km (5.6 mi) in a day, and were more active in July than in March.[35]Asian golden cats recorded in northeast India were active during the day with activity peaks around noon.[27]
Captive Asian golden cats kill small prey with the nape bite typical of cats. They also pluck birds larger than pigeons before beginning to feed. Their vocalizations include hissing, spitting, meowing, purring, growling, and gurgling. Other methods of communication observed in captive Asian golden cats include scent marking,urine spraying, raking trees and logs with claws, andrubbing of the head against various objects – much like a domestic cat.[2]
Not much is known about the reproductive behavior of this rather elusive cat in the wild. Most of what is known has been learned from cats in captivity.[38] Female Asian golden cats are sexually mature between 18 and 24 months, while males mature at 24 months. Females come intoestrus every 39 days, at which time they leave markings and seek contact with the male by adopting receptive postures.[39] Duringintercourse, the male will seize the skin of the neck of the female with his teeth. After agestation period of 78 to 80 days, the female gives birth in a sheltered place to alitter of one to three kittens. The kittens weigh 220 to 250 g (7.8 to 8.8 oz) at birth, but triple in size over the first eight weeks of life. They are born already possessing the adult coat pattern and open their eyes after six to twelve days.[2] In captivity, they live for up to twenty years.[40]
The Asian golden cat inhabits some of the fastestdeveloping countries in the world, where it is increasingly threatened byhabitat destruction followingdeforestation, along with a decliningungulate prey base. In Sumatra, it has been reported killed in revenge for preying on poultry. In Southeast Asia and China, it is threatened bypoaching for theillegal wildlife trade.[1] This trade has the greatest potential to do maximum harm in minimal time.[22]
Asian golden cats are poached mainly for their fur.[41] InMyanmar, 111 body parts from at least 110 individuals were observed in four markets surveyed between 1991 and 2006. Numbers were significantly greater than those of non-threatened species. Among the observed skins was one withrosettes. Three of the surveyed markets are situated on international borders with China andThailand and cater to international buyers, although the Asian golden cat is completely protected under the country's national legislation. Effective implementation and enforcement ofCITES is considered inadequate.[42]
Pardofelis temminckii is included inCITES Appendix I and fully protected over most of its range. Hunting is prohibited in Bangladesh, China, India,Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. Hunting is regulated in Laos. No information about protection status is available from Cambodia.[22] In Bhutan, it is protected only within the boundaries of protected areas.[21]
As of December 2008[update], there were 20 Asian golden cats in eight Europeanzoos participating in theEuropean Endangered Species Programme. The pair in the GermanWuppertal Zoo successfully bred in 2007, and in July 2008, two siblings were born and mother-reared. In 2008, a female kitten was also born in the FrenchParc des Félins. The species is also kept in theSingapore Zoo.[43]
In China, the Asian golden cat is thought to be a kind of leopard and is known as "rock cat" or "yellow leopard". Different colour phases have different names; those with black fur are called "inky leopards", and those with spotted coats are called "sesame leopards".[2]
In some regions of Thailand, the Asian golden cat is calledseua fai (Thai:เสือไฟ,lit. 'fire tiger'). According to a regional legend, the burning of an Asian golden cat's fur drivestigers away. Eating the flesh is believed to have the same effect. TheKaren people believe that carrying a single hair of the cat is sufficient.[44] Many indigenous people believe the cat to be fierce, but in captivity it has been known to be docile and tranquil. In thesouth, it is calledkang kude (Thai:คางคูด) and believed to be a fierce animal that can hurt or eat livestock and larger animals such aselephants.[45]
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