New cat species identified for first time in more than a century in Bolivia
Source: Guardian World ↗ (cross-verified by 2 outlets — full list below)
A previously unknown wild cat has been formally identified in Bolivia’s cloud‑shrouded Yungas forest, marking the first new living feline species to be named in more than a century. The diminutive predator, locally called “tilcayo,” measures roughly 18 inches (46 cm) in length and weighs about 3 lb (1.4 kg), making it smaller than an average domestic cat. Genetic analysis confirmed its distinctiveness and assigned it the scientific name *Leopardus tilcayo*. The discovery emerged from a collaborative study that examined DNA from 38 tiger‑cat specimens across South America, including eight museum samples, and revealed that what was once considered a single species of tiger cat actually comprises five genetically separate lineages.
The research highlights both evolutionary and conservation implications. Evolutionary biologist Jonas Lescroart explained that the tilcayo lineage diverged from its closest relatives approximately 1.4 million years ago, a timespan sufficient to warrant species‑level recognition. The study also described a new subspecies in Peru’s Yungas, *Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo*. Currently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) groups tiger cats into two “vulnerable” categories, but the findings have been forwarded to the IUCN for a forthcoming review that will assess each of the five lineages separately. This could lead to a more precise evaluation of extinction risk, potentially classifying the tilcayo as endangered given its limited range and the mounting threats to its habitat.
The Yungas forest, one of the region’s most threatened ecosystems, faces accelerating deforestation, agricultural expansion, human‑caused fires and mining activities. Conservationists stress that protecting and restoring forest patches, maintaining habitat connectivity, and preventing further degradation are urgent priorities to safeguard the newly identified cat and other wildlife. A 10‑year‑old male tilcayo now resides in the Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary after being rescued from a local home, offering researchers a rare opportunity to observe its behavior, which camera traps suggest is primarily nocturnal and includes a diet of small rodents. The discovery underscores the broader message that even iconic groups like cats still harbor undiscovered species that may vanish before they are known, reinforcing the need for heightened biodiversity protection.
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