Just a Spotted Cat?... First New Felid Species in a Century Discovered

Recognized as a New Leopardus Species in South America

Genetically Distinct from Existing Felids

A wild cat brought from the Andean forests of Bolivia in South America has been identified as an entirely new species. It is reported to be the first discovery of a new felid species in about a century.

According to National Geographic, a research team led by Professor Eduardo Eizirik of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil announced the discovery of a new felid species in the Yungas forest of Bolivia. The team's research was recently published in the international journal Current Biology. The new species belongs to the Leopardus lineage and has been named "Leopardus tilcayo" as its scientific name.

A new feline species, Leopardus tilkayo, discovered in South America. National Geographic

The Tilcayo cat was discovered by chance. A local resident found a male kitten in the Yungas forest and, after raising it at home for a year, noticed behaviors differing from those of typical cats and brought it to a nearby animal shelter.

At the time, a biology professor volunteering at the shelter noticed the unusual appearance of the cat and initiated a research project on it.

The Tilcayo measures about 46 cm in length and weighs approximately 1.4 kg, with leopard-like spotted patterns. The researchers compared eight museum specimens and the genomes of 30 wild cats collected from various regions of South America to determine the classification of the Tilcayo. The data analysis confirmed that the Tilcayo is genetically distinct from existing Leopardus species and constitutes a separate species.

A wild cat with a body length of about 46 cm, featuring leopard-like patterns. National Geographic

The ancestor of the Tilcayo is presumed to be from the Leopardus lineage. However, it appears to have diverged from the common ancestor of the northern Leopardus, clouded Leopardus, and others around 1.4 million years ago. Unique features of the Andes, such as its rugged terrain, deep valleys, and rivers, likely blocked the movement of these cats and led to independent evolution.

The Leopardus lineage includes wild cat species distributed throughout South America. They are known for their similar appearance and nocturnal habits, making distinguishing between species challenging. Northern Leopardus populations were once thought to be a single species, but with advancements in genomic analysis, southern Leopardus, eastern Leopardus, and clouded Leopardus have now been recognized as distinct species. With the addition of the Tilcayo, it has become clear that the genetic diversity of the Leopardus cats in South America is much greater than previously expected.

Meanwhile, the research team emphasized that the discovery of the Tilcayo demonstrates the value of South America's biodiversity. The Yungas forest, where the Tilcayo resides, is rapidly being destroyed due to deforestation, the expansion of farmland, and mine development. The researchers stressed, "It is urgent to protect the remaining primary forests and maintain connectivity between forest habitats."

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