New Wildcat Species, Leopardus tilcayo, Identified in Bolivia Through Genomic Analysis
A previously unknown wildcat species, Leopardus tilcayo, has been identified in Bolivia. This discovery, detailed in a study co-led by Bolivian biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz and published in Current Biology, marks the first formal description of a living cat species in over a century. The identification was made possible through advanced genomic tools, which revealed genetic diversity not apparent through physical characteristics alone. The cat, smaller than a domestic cat with a scrunched-up face, round ears, and leopard-like spots, was initially thought to be an unusual variant of Leopardus tigrinus. However, distinct rosette patterns on its coat and comprehensive genomic sequencing of 38 individuals across the Leopardus genus confirmed it as a separate lineage. The research involved a collaboration with geneticist Eduardo Eizirik and evolutionary biologist Jonas Lescroart, utilizing both modern samples and historical museum specimens to construct detailed family trees of tiger cats.
