A small wild feline residing in the cloud forests of Bolivia has been identified as a previously unnamed species, marking the first instance of a new living cat species being officially recognized in over a century. Known locally as Tilcayo, this cat belongs to a group called tiger cats that are found throughout South America. Discovered in the lush Yungas forest of Bolivia, a region characterized by mountainous terrain shrouded in clouds and high humidity, the cat measures around 46 centimeters (18 inches) in length and weighs approximately three pounds, making it smaller than the average house cat.
Through genetic analysis, researchers have confirmed the cat as a distinct species and bestowed upon it the scientific name Leopardus tilcayo while also retaining its local designation. Described by Paola Nogales Ascarrunz, a National Geographic explorer and study co-author, the cat’s fur is light brown with irregular rosettes adorning its body. Limited information is available regarding the cat’s biology and habits, although evidence from scat samples suggests a diet that includes small rodents, and camera-trap data indicates it may be more active during nighttime.
Tiger cats are known as cryptic species, meaning they are not easily distinguished based on appearance alone, according to evolutionary biologist Jonas Lescroart, a co-lead author of the study. Previously considered a single species, genetic studies have hinted at the presence of multiple species within the tiger cat group. The newly identified species has only two known living individuals so far, with one being a 10-year-old male residing at the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary after being kept by a local family.
Research conducted on DNA samples from 38 cats across various South American countries, including museum specimens, revealed that tiger cats comprise five genetically distinct species. The newly identified Bolivian tiger cat lineage separated from other tiger cats approximately 1.4 million years ago, indicating a significant genetic divergence that aligns with a species-level differentiation in felines. Additionally, a new tiger cat subspecies found in Peru’s Yungas region has been named Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo in honor of the old Inca Empire’s Antisuyu region where it thrives.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list, which monitors species statuses, currently lists tiger cats as two “vulnerable” species with declining populations. The researchers have shared their findings with the IUCN for a forthcoming review that will assess the five tiger cat lineages individually, potentially leading to a more precise evaluation of the species’ conservation status. The researchers emphasize the importance of protecting the Yungas ecosystem, which faces threats from deforestation, agriculture, fires, and mining, underscoring the need to restore damaged forest areas, safeguard remaining native habitats, and preserve ecological connections between them.
Eduardo Eizirik, an evolutionary biologist at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and a senior author of the study, highlights the significance of discovering new species, even within well-known groups like cats, as a crucial message to raise awareness about the existence and conservation needs of undiscovered species facing the risk of extinction.