A new study has uncovered an unexpected chapter in the evolutionary story of the elusive snow leopard (Panthera uncia), revealing a surprising connection to the Iberian Peninsula in south-western Europe.
Researchers say that the work, published in Science Advances, challenges long-held assumptions about the big cat species' habitat preferences.
With fewer than 4,000 snow leopards remaining in the wild, these majestic big cats are critically endangered. Traditionally associated with the lofty heights of the Himalayas, where they roam at altitudes above 2,000 metres, their unique adaptations to extreme mountain environments have fascinated scientists for decades. However, the species' evolutionary history has remained a mystery, largely due to a lack of fossil evidence in the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding regions – until now.
In this new study, led by Dr Qigao Jiangzuo of Peking University and Dr Joan Madurell Malapeira from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), researchers examined a wide array of fossil samples previously attributed to the common leopard (Panthera pardus) across Europe and Asia. For the first time, they identified five distinct snow leopard fossils, dating back one million years, from sites in China, France and Portugal.
This discovery provides fresh insights into the species' evolutionary journey during the Quaternary period and sheds light on how these secretive predators adapted to diverse landscapes.
Traits of a snow leopard
Snow leopards have long been distinguished from their more widespread cousins, the common leopard, by their specialised physical traits.
While common leopards thrive in partially forested habitats and hunt swift prey, snow leopards have evolved to master harsh, mountainous terrain. Their larger teeth, domed skulls and powerful jaws and paws are perfectly suited to tackling robust prey such as mountain goats.
But it is not just their physical strength that sets them apart. Key adaptations such as enhanced binocular vision, a large cranial ectotympanic structure for acute hearing, powerful limbs for absorbing the impact of steep leaps, and long tails for balance allowed snow leopards to flourish in rocky, barren environments. These traits developed rapidly during the Middle Pleistocene, approximately 500,000 years ago, coinciding with the colder phases of the Ice Ages.
An unexpected journey to Portugal
One of the study's most surprising revelations is the discovery of a snow leopard fossil in Portugal, far from the species' modern range.
This remarkable find, known as the 'leopard of Algar da Manga Larga', was unearthed by amateur speleologists in Porto de Mós in the early 2000s. The nearly intact skull had initially been misclassified but has now been confirmed as a member of the snow leopard lineage.
“We propose that about 900,000 years ago the gradual intensification of glaciations in Eurasia led to the gradual appearance of more open spaces, and this made possible the arrival of the species in Portugal, where it lived until relatively recently, about 40,000 years ago," explains Dr Madurell Malapeira.
Rethinking habitat preferences
The discovery of snow leopard fossils in Europe has profound implications for conservation efforts, say the study authors. Previously, it was believed that snow leopards were confined to high-altitude, snowy environments. However, the study suggests that the species prioritises steep, rocky terrain and cold climates over altitude alone.
“The analyses we have carried out lead us to conclude that surely the high altitude and snow would not have been the limiting factor for the distribution of the species, but rather the presence of open and steep spaces," says Dr. Madurell Malapeira.
"In other words, the snow leopard has always been adapted to live in the mountains, but not necessarily at high altitudes and with snow. And this, in a context of climate change like the current one, is encouraging to ensure their survival."
Looking ahead
The team plan to further investigate the neuroanatomy and ecological traits of the Algar da Manga Larga leopard to deepen their understanding of this iconic predator's fascinating history.
The discovery not only reshapes our understanding of snow leopard evolution, say the researchers, but it also reinforces the importance of protecting their current habitats, wherever they may be found.
Main image: the skull of the 'leopard of Algar da Manga Larga', now stored at the Geological Museum of Lisbon/Darío Estraviz-López, 2019
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