New cat species discovered in Bolivia after a century
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Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, a biologist working in Bolivia, investigated an unusual cat at a wildlife sanctuary in 2016 after receiving a tip from staff.
The cat appeared smaller than a domestic cat and had distinctive leopard-like spots. Initially, Nogales-Ascarrunz thought the animal was a little spotted cat, but further examination of photographs taken at the sanctuary revealed differences in its coat pattern. Working with geneticists Eduardo Eizirik in Brazil and Jonas Lescroart in Belgium, Nogales-Ascarrunz conducted genetic analysis over several years.
Their research confirmed the cat represents a previously unknown species within the Leopardus genus. The team published their findings on September 17 in the journal Current Biology, proposing the name Leopardus tilcayo for the new species, using a name local people in Bolivia have traditionally used for the cat.
Genetic analysis of 38 individuals showed L. tilcayo diverged from other tiger cat species approximately 1.4 million years ago, a period comparable to the evolutionary distance between modern lions and cave lions. Nogales-Ascarrunz hopes the discovery will highlight the importance of protecting the Yungas forests of Bolivia, which harbor many species still unknown to science.
