In Bolivia’s cloud forest, a new species of small wild cat has been officially recognized for the first time in over a century. Known as Tilcayo by local communities, this cat belongs to the tiger cats group found throughout South America. Discovered in Bolivia’s Yungas forest, the cat is about 46 centimeters long and weighs approximately three pounds, making it smaller than the average domestic cat.
Genetic analysis confirmed the cat as a distinct species, named Leopardus tilcayo while retaining its local name. The cat’s fur is light brown with rosettes on its body, as described by Paola Nogales Ascarrunz, a National Geographic explorer. Limited information is available about the cat’s habits and diet, with indications that it may consume small rodents and be more active at night.
Tiger cats are considered cryptic species, challenging to differentiate based on appearance alone, according to evolutionary biologist Jonas Lescroart. Previous studies suggested multiple species within the tiger cat group, contrary to the belief that they were a single species. The newly identified species, Tilcayo, has only two known live individuals, one of which resides in a wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia.
DNA analysis from cats across South America revealed five genetically distinct tiger cat species, including the newly discovered Bolivian species. The Tilcayo lineage separated from other tiger cats around 1.4 million years ago, indicating a significant genetic distinction. Additionally, a new tiger cat subspecies was named in Peru’s Yungas region, named Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature currently considers tiger cats as two vulnerable species with declining populations. The researchers have informed the IUCN about the new species and plan to evaluate the five lineages separately for a more accurate assessment of their conservation status. The need for conservation efforts is crucial in the Yungas region due to various threats like deforestation, fires, and mining activities.
Highlighting the discovery of new species like Tilcayo emphasizes the importance of biodiversity conservation and the need to protect habitats facing environmental pressures. Eduardo Eizirik, a senior author of the study, stresses the urgency of conservation efforts to safeguard undiscovered species at risk of extinction.