Research overview: the leopard cat lineage and prionailurus diversity

The leopard cat lineage of Asia includes the widespread leopard cat, the fishing cat, the flat-headed cat, and the rusty-spotted cat, along with the related Pallas's cat. This overview surveys the genetic relationships within this group, the deep divergence of its members, and the recognition of distinct leopard cat species and subspecies across mainland and island Asia. It discusses the leopard cat's role as the wild ancestor of the Bengal domestic breed, the conservation genetics of the wetland-dependent fishing cat, and how studying this lineage illuminates the diversification of small cats across the varied landscapes of southern and eastern Asia.