From Seattletimes · · 1m 20s
Earth's Newest Wild Cat Species Named
Scientists identify Bolivia's first new wild cat species in over a century.
In brief
Scientists identify Bolivia's first new wild cat species in over a century. Bolivia's Yungas region sanctuary cat, Leopardus tilcayo, is the first new wild cat species named since 1923. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
New Wild Cat Species
Scientists named a previously unknown cat species in Bolivia's Yungas region, the first new wild cat species in over a century.
“A previously unknown cat species has been identified in plain sight: at a wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia, where the small, spotted feline had been living for years.”
Tiny Cat Discovery
The male cat, now 10 years old, measures 18 inches (46 centimeters) from head to tail base and weighs 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms).
“Its light brown coat is patterned with dark, leopardlike spots.”
Genetic Analysis
Researchers compared genomes from over 30 cats across Colombia, Peru, Brazil and preserved museum samples to trace its lineage.
“To locate the cat in South America’s feline family tree, researchers compared genomes, complete sets of genetic instructions, from over 30 cats across locations including Colombia, Peru and Brazil.”
1.4 Million Years Ago
The species split from relatives 1.4 million years ago, with the last named feline species being the Uruguayan pampas cat in 1923.
“The analysis revealed that the sanctuary cat belonged to a previously unrecognized species whose lineage split from its relatives about 1.4 million years ago.”
Local Name
Researchers named the cat Leopardus tilcayo after the local term for the Andes cloud forests where it lives.
“the researchers named this one Leopardus tilcayo, preserving the moniker used by communities in the tropical cloud forests of the Andes Mountains in Bolivia where the animal lives.”
Five Species Mystery
The discovery reveals at least five distinct tiger cat species in South America, including four previously named and the new tilcayo.
“The researchers’ DNA analysis pointed to at least five distinct species, four previously named, plus the newly described tilcayo.”
Wildlife Protection
Scientists hope the new species designation helps protect its Yungas forest habitat from deforestation and gold mining threats.
“Scientists hope the designation of the new species will help protect its forest habitat, which faces threats from accelerating deforestation and gold mining.”
The big picture
Bolivia's Yungas region sanctuary cat, Leopardus tilcayo, is the first new wild cat species named since 1923.
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