Biologists discover new cat species in Bolivia after a century
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Biologists from UAntwerpen discovered a new cat species, the Leopardus tilcayo, living in the forests of Bolivia.
The spotted cat is smaller than a domestic cat and lives in the Andes mountains. Researchers determined the tilcayo isolated itself genetically from other tiger cats 1.4 million years ago, making it a distinct species. This discovery marks the first new cat species identified in over 100 years, since the Uruguayan grass cat was described in 1923.
The tilcayo remained undetected for so long because it closely resembles other tiger cats, which are small, spotted felines native to Central and South America. Its rarity and shy nature, combined with the difficult terrain of the Bolivian Yungas, a biodiverse tropical foothill region, also contributed to the late discovery. The team identified the new species after a kitten with unusual behavior was brought to a Bolivian wildlife rescue center in 2016.
Initially identified as a northern tiger cat and nicknamed Tigrino, the kitten’s DNA analysis revealed its unique genetic makeup. Researchers were able to describe the species using a living, sedated animal, an unusual practice typically reserved for deceased specimens. Tigrino will remain at the Bolivian rescue center for the rest of its life, with its remains eventually becoming part of the collection at the National Natural History Museum of Bolivia.
The researchers hope this discovery will increase funding for tiger cat conservation and highlight the rich biodiversity of Bolivia. They also confirmed the status of five tiger cat species overall.
