First New Wild Cat Species in a Century Found in Bolivia
Genomic analysis showed the Bolivian cat is one of five tiger cat species and may face higher conservation risks, researchers said.
- Researchers published a study on Thursday in Current Biology identifying Leopardus tilcayo as a new tiger cat species, marking the first novel feline discovered in over 100 years.
- Biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, a National Geographic Explorer, began investigating the 'weird cat' after receiving a 2016 call from a Bolivian wildlife sanctuary; the animal had been mistaken for a domestic kitten.
- Genomic comparisons revealed L. tilcayo diverged from other lineages around 1.4 million years ago and inhabits Bolivia's Yungas cloud forest, weighing just 3 to 4 pounds and smaller than a house cat.
- Evolutionary biologist Jonas Lescroart from the University of Antwerp said the discovery "is definitely expected to increase conservation attention," with researchers calling for re-evaluation of species previously grouped under a single label.
- Future research will install camera traps in Bolivia's Yungas region to track L. tilcayo populations while preserving traditional knowledge; local communities have recognized the cat as 'tilcayo' for generations.
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649 Articles
Colombians protest the cuts in funding the arts and culture and researchers identify a new species of small-sized feline in Bolivia.
Idaho State Journal
Bolivia's new wild cat, arts protests and other top photos from Latin America and the Caribbean
Colombians protest proposed cuts to arts and culture funding and researchers identify a new species of small spotted wild cat in Bolivia. This gallery was curated by photo editor Anita Baca, based in Mexico City.
A new cat species, the Tilacayo, has been identified in the Yungas forest of Bolivia. It is the first new living cat species in over a century. It is smaller than a domestic cat and has light brown rosettes.
Meet Bolivia’s newest wild cat species, the first named in over a century - The Tribune
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. The discovery, reported Thursday in the journal Current Biology, marks the first time scientists have named and described a new living wild cat species in more than a […]
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