For the first time in more than a century, scientists have been able to identify, name, and formally describe a new species of wild cat, in a rare discovery in the mammalian world.
This cat, known locally as "Tilcayo," belongs to the "panther cat" group found throughout most of South America, and was found in the lush Yungas forests of Bolivia.
The cat measures approximately 46 centimeters in length and weighs about 1.4 kilograms, making it smaller than the average domestic cat. Using genetic data, researchers confirmed it represents a new species and gave it the scientific name "Leopardus tilcayo" (Tilcayo leopard), preserving its local name.
“Its fur is light brown with irregularly shaped spots all over its body,” said Paula Nogales-Ascaronth, a National Geographic explorer and one of the authors of the study published in the journal Current Biology. Understanding of its biology and lifestyle remains limited, but the remains of small rodents in fecal samples suggest they may be part of its diet, while surveillance camera footage indicates it may be more active at night.
According to Jonas Lescroart, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Antwerp in Belgium and co-lead author of the study, leopard cats are classified as "cryptic species" that are difficult to distinguish by appearance alone. Although scientists previously believed they were a single species, genetic studies conducted decades ago suggested the existence of multiple species.
Lescroart said, "Our information is limited to the two live cats we examined and a small number of camera recordings." One of these cats is a 10-year-old male currently living at the Sinda Verde sanctuary, having been taken in by a local family.
The Bolivian cat attracted the attention of researchers because "its characteristics did not match descriptions based on Brazilian cats."
The team analyzed the DNA of 38 cats from several South American countries, including eight museum specimens, and found that "tiger cats" actually represent five genetically distinct species. "We never expected the Bolivian tiger cat to be a separate species," Lescroart said.
The analysis indicated that the "Tilkayo" lineage separated from other lineages about 1.4 million years ago.
The team also described a new subspecies in the Yungas region of Peru, and gave it the scientific name "Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo," after the "Antisuyo" region in the ancient Inca Empire.
The IUCN Red List currently classifies leopard cats as two "vulnerable" species, with their numbers declining. Researchers shared their findings with the IUCN, which will assess the five subspecies separately in its next review, potentially providing a more accurate picture of the risk level. The "tilkayo" may be classified as endangered when assessed independently.
A more accurate assessment is needed in the Yungas region, one of the most threatened ecosystems in the area, where mountain forests are under pressure from deforestation, agricultural expansion, fires and mining.
Eduardo Ezerick, lead author of the study from the Pontifical Catholic University of Brazil, said: "Showing that even in such a prominent group as cats there are still new species to discover may convey an important message. There are many undiscovered species, and they are at risk of disappearing before we discover them."
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