Panthera Uncia Evolution

Panthera uncia is known more by its common name of the snow leopard, they are a placental mammal. It is characterized by their distinct fur. Panthera uncia is found in the harsh and hazardous mountainous areas in Asia. The species is rated as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List. They are currently on a downward population trend. The trend can be traced back to the systematic hunting of the species for fur and retaliation for preying on farm animals. It is thought they there less than 7000 left in the wild (Jackson et al 2008). The thick white, yellow and grey fur with speckled grey to black spots measured to be as long as 12 cm keep the Panthera uncia warm at 3000 to 4500 meter altitude that the species can be found at. The fur is used
Fossils have been found to show that the presence of the species in northern Pakistan between 1.2 to 1.4 million years ago. Brian Davis, Dr Gang Li, and Professor William Murphy (2009) ran genetic tests on the five species of big cats; lions, jaguars, tigers, leopards, and snow leopards. Looking at mitochondrial DNA and sex chromosomes it was shown that snow leopards are the most closely related to tigers as their ancestor had branched off at 3.9 million years ago. The ancestor of the other three big cats had branched from between 4.3 and 3.8 million years ago. The Panthera uncia belongs to the Felidae family. The Panthera species is thought to have evolved in Asia. The skull of the Panthera is referred to as convex in shape. Panthera is known for a partially ossified hyoid bone and larynx that allow the genus to roar however the Panthera uncia is the only member of the genus that cannot roar. Due to the fact that their larynx are not developed to the same degree that other members of their genus the Panthera uncia is unable to roar, but otherwise chuffs and growls similar to that of the
The mountain regions of central Asia at an average of 3000 to 5400 meters above sea level. They are primarily found in these countries Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Due to the sparse fossil record it is difficult to say the full geologically history of the species. Panthera uncia live in fragmented terrain with the ability to travel in snow without much resistance. The range of their home area can extend to as much as hundreds of kilometers. They lead a crepuscular activity pattern. The species is predatory and primarily hunts blue sheep and Himalayan tahr. The method for attack they like to employ is to blend into their immediate surroundings and ambush their prey from above. The species kill their prey by suffocation with a nape or throat bite. One kill can last a week or two depending on the size of the kill with a solitary life, but a kill may only last a few days with a mother raising cubs. With the climate change the decrease in vegetation has led to a decrease of available prey. There are multiple conservation efforts in place due to the endangered status of the