The first new species of cat discovered in more than a century
3 hours ago
- A new wildcat species, Leopardus tilcayo, also known as the tilcayo, has been discovered in the Bolivian Yungas cloud forests, marking the first new wildcat species identified in over a century.
- The tilcayo is a type of tiger cat, a group of small felines in the genus Leopardus native to South America, and the study identifies five distinct tiger cat species, including this one.
- The discovery was accidental, occurring when a man brought a kitten to a sanctuary, and genetic tests revealed it had diverged from its closest relative around 1.4 million years ago.
- The study analyzed genomes of 38 cats, including 26 Leopardus cats, making it the most complete genetic study of this group to date.
- The authors emphasize that this discovery highlights the need for intensified conservation efforts in the Yungas forests, which host many undiscovered species.
- The finding underscores how much remains to be learned about biodiversity, as the last new wildcat species was described over a century ago.