In a simplified version:
Over thousands and thousands of years, Geographic barriers formed on the island as the land changed. Groups were divided. Some segregated on island, others possibly by rivers, mountains, and raised and lowered plateaus, the separation of peninsulas and inlets. From these divisions, smaller groups were formed, making the mixing of traveling pardalis less likely, and condensed the populations. In essence, in breeding would become more natural, and we all know that with inbreeding over many many generations you can start to develop strains of DNA that have continuing similarities. This is shown best in island locales.
We see these as colours in pardalis, though many do not realise that body proportions have also developed. Ankaramys (The Pink panther) show a very thin head- and they are also reported to lay smaller eggs and hatch smaller babies. Some locales are reported to on average reach significantly larger sizes compared to other locales. Some locales seem to have different body proportions in where the body is more elongated, or the head larger in comparison to the body.
It understandable that locales on Islands would develop to be more so different than the mainland locales. Such as Nosey Borah, (The Island of St. Marie) having a tremendous amount of white making it so radically different than ANY local anywhere. Not to mention that females on Nosey Borah have been described to even show differences than mainland females- appearing to be green, rather than the common orange-tan-peaches. This locale, although poorly represented in the market, seems to be a black sheep and I think should be more sought after- if not just for research- though I suppose research is best done by leaving them untouched and on the island.
Nosey Be, this Island local with its greens, blues, and in betweens seem to have very faded baring. But is its proximity to the coastal local Ambanja- also appearing in blues and greens just a coincidence? I can't personally pass that off as one.
Now to explain the more recently found island, Nosy Mitsio, notice how in comparison to Nosey Be, and Nosey Borah, that this group of islands is so minute? Only some miles in area, it would be safe to assume that this piece of land broke off from the mainland long long ago, and that its radically different colouration would be attributed to the small population of them and the proximity that they would live in considering the size of the island? Their development, and natural inbreeding would occur at a much faster rate, possibly being the reason for this locales uniqueness.
Ambilobe and Diego Suarez, are two locales that are fair distance away, and have a mountain that partially divides the groups. However, these two locales are completely separated by large significant river from everything to the south, and to the east. In the market we see two types of Ambilobes, Blue barred, being from the south, closer to other blue locales (Ambanja and Nosey Be) and Red Barred being reported from farther north- remarkably close to Diegos which have a similarity to the Red Barred group that cannot be missed, and I see it easily possible for either groups coming into importers hands and being mistaken for the other.
Who knows if they will each evolve into something we would call subspecies, as over long lengths of time I see it a possibility. But what will the impact of humans have on their segregated populations? Clear cutting mountains, and redirecting rivers to feed farm lands have already taken a toll on the country. Some locales have adapted to live in farmed land and others have retreated into the pockets of wild vegetation left between the areas. Would further dividing the geographic area between Sambava and Andapa (locales that are on the same plateau height) mean that over times those locales would continue to develop to be less and less alike as they are similar now?
Now I'm just rambling I guess, and it hasn't really been simplified at all. But hopefully it will fuel your fire, and I have keyed you into noticing at least something.
I had planned to attend one of Bill Love's expedition this year as he has organised one that will specifically give the opportunity to study the differences in each region. However, an unfortunate mistake occurred and I will ave to wait until next year to see if he will repeat this specific tour.
