Bolivia identifies new tiger cat species, first discovered in more than a century

A diminutive wild cat found in Bolivia’s cloud-covered Yungas forest has been identified as a new species, marking the first formal description of a new living cat species in more than a century, researchers said.

Locally known as Tilcayo, the cat is a member of the tiger cat group, which is spread across much of South America. Its scientific name is Leopardus tilcayo. It is about 46 cm long and weighs about 1.4 kg, making it smaller than an average domestic cat, according to Reuters.

Researchers analysed DNA from 38 cats from across South America, including museum specimens, and found that tiger cats, previously thought to be one species, are in fact five distinct genetic species. According to the study published in Current Biology, the Tilcayo lineage diverged from other tiger cats about 1.4 million years ago.

“Its fur is light brown … with irregularly shaped rosettes across its body,” said Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, a National Geographic Explorer and study co-author.

The species is still little known, with only two live specimens and a few camera-trap records examined by researchers.

“Our information at this moment is limited to the two live individuals that we examined and a small number of camera-trap records,” said study co-lead author Jonas Lescroart.