New wild cat species discovered in Bolivia

Researchers have identified a new wild cat species in the Yungas region of Bolivia, marking the first official discovery of a new feline species in over a century. Known locally as the 'Tilcayo,' the cat has been scientifically classified as Leopardus tilcayo. The discovery was confirmed following extensive genetic analysis of 38 specimens and museum samples, which revealed that the species diverged from other tigrina lineages approximately 1.4 million years ago.

The animal is notably small, measuring approximately 46 centimeters in length and weighing only 1.4 kilograms, making it smaller than the average domestic cat. Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, a researcher with National Geographic and co-author of the study published in the journal Current Biology, described the cat's light brown fur, which features irregular, rosette-shaped spots. The investigation was prompted by a 10-year-old male specimen, which was initially mistaken for a stray domestic pet before being housed in a wildlife sanctuary.

While this discovery represents a major milestone in biology, scientists acknowledge that much remains unknown regarding the biology and lifestyle of the Tilcayo. Current efforts are focused on further studies, including the analysis of fecal samples, to better understand the behavior and habitat requirements of this newly classified species.