A small wild feline residing in the cloud forests of Bolivia has been recognized as an entirely new species, marking the first formal identification and description of a living cat species in over a century.
Known as Tilcayo among local populations, this cat belongs to a group referred to as tiger cats, which are spread throughout much of South America.
It was discovered in the verdant Yungas forest of Bolivia, a mountainous area often enveloped in clouds and characterized by high humidity, as reported by scientists. The cat is approximately 46 centimeters (18 inches) in length and weighs about three pounds, making it smaller than an average domestic cat.
Genetic analysis was utilized to verify that this cat represents a new species, and it has been assigned the scientific designation Leopardus tilcayo, while keeping its local name intact.
“Its coat is light brown, adorned with irregularly shaped rosettes throughout its body,” stated Paola Nogales Ascarrunz, a National Geographic explorer and one of the study’s authors, which was published on Thursday in the journal Current Biology.
Currently, little is known about the cat’s biology and behavior. Analysis of scat samples containing small rodent remains suggests they might constitute part of its diet, while evidence from camera traps indicates it may be more active during the night, according to Nogales Ascarrunz.
A close-up of a Leopardus tilcayo cat, the only known individual of the newly identified species living in protective captivity. (Fernando Faciole/National Geographic via Reuters)
Tiger cats are considered cryptic species, meaning they are not easily distinguishable by appearance alone, remarked evolutionary biologist and study co-lead author Jonas Lescroart from the University of Antwerp in Belgium.
Previously, tiger cats were regarded as a single species; however, genetic investigations conducted decades ago hinted at the presence of multiple species.
Only 2 live individuals found so far
Regarding the newly identified species, Lescroart noted, “Currently, our knowledge is limited to the two live specimens we studied, along with a small number of camera trap records.”
One of the living cats is a 10-year-old male residing at the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary after being taken in by a local family.
Nogales Ascarrunz observes the cat at the Senda Verde animal refuge in Bolivia on Sept. 1. (Fernando Faciole/National Geographic via Reuters)
The interest in studying the Bolivian cat arose because “its traits did not align with the descriptions, most of which were based on Brazilian cats,” said Nogales Ascarrunz. “This prompted us to question: What tiger cat species do we actually have in Bolivia?”
The research team analyzed DNA from 38 cats sampled from several South American nations, including eight museum specimens. Their findings revealed that tiger cats comprise five genetically distinct species.
“We never anticipated that this Bolivian tiger cat would be classified as a separate species, and no one had previously suggested it as a distinct animal—whether as a subspecies or otherwise,” stated Lescroart.
Genetic evaluations indicated that the Tilcayo lineage diverged from other tiger cats approximately 1.4 million years ago.
“The greater the differences in their DNA, the longer we estimate those lineages have been physically separated,” Lescroart explained, noting that such a gap is typically regarded as a species-level distinction among cats.
The research team also identified a new tiger cat subspecies in Peru’s Yungas, naming it Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo, after Antisuyu, the region of the ancient Inca Empire where it is found.
New species may be listed as endangered
The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list, which monitors species status, currently classifies tiger cats as two “vulnerable” species with diminishing populations.
The research findings have been presented to the IUCN, which will evaluate the five lineages separately in its forthcoming review. This could provide a clearer understanding of their conservation status, as Lescroart noted, and species like the Tilcayo might be classified as endangered when assessed independently.
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The urgency for clearer evaluations is particularly critical in the Yungas, one of the most threatened ecosystems in the region.
The mountain forests are increasingly pressured by deforestation, agricultural expansion, human-induced fires, and mining activities, as noted by Nogales Ascarrunz. Restoring fire-damaged forest areas, safeguarding remaining native forests, and ensuring connectivity between habitats are vital objectives, she added.
“Demonstrating to the public that even within a prominent group like cats… there are still new species waiting to be discovered sends an important message,” remarked Eduardo Eizirik, an evolutionary biologist at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and the senior author of the study.
“Numerous undiscovered species exist in the world, and they risk disappearing before we even have a chance to find them.”