Image credit: Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz/Julie Van Collie
A new species of wild cat has been confirmed, discovered in the jungles of Bolivia.
About the size of a domestic cat, this wild cat was initially thought to resemble other small wild cats, which is why it remained hidden from scientific recognition for so long.
However, DNA analysis has revealed that this cat is a distinct species, highlighting that much about the world’s rare mammals remains to be discovered.
Scientists hope this discovery will draw more attention to the conservation of wild cats.
Small wild cats found across South and Central America generally receive less attention compared to larger animals like lions, jaguars, and tigers.
‘Previously Mistaken for Domestic Cat’
Image credit: Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz/Julie Van Collie
The “Tiger Cat” group includes small wild cats ranging from Costa Rica to Bolivia and Argentina.
These cats closely resemble each other, making it challenging even for experts to differentiate between them.
“Discovering a new species for the world is extraordinary, and it has been named Leopardus tilkaya,” said scientist Paola Nogales Ascarrunz, affiliated with a university in La Paz, Bolivia.
“It’s surprising that new species are still left to be discovered. We don’t have to explore volcanoes, islands, or ocean depths.”
Image credit: Getty Images
Currently, the newly identified cat is housed at a wildlife rescue center in Bolivia and is the only confirmed living specimen of its species. Scientists suspect there may be more members in the wild.
This 10-year-old cat, nicknamed “Tigrina,” sparked scientific interest for further research.
Bolivian scientist Dr. Nogales Ascarrunz, volunteering at the rescue center, noticed this cat’s unusual traits.
Locals initially thought this cat was a domestic kitten; however, as it matured, its behavior differed notably.
Dr. Nogales Ascarrunz heard about other small wild cats in the dense jungles of the Yungas region, but no formal scientific study had yet been conducted.
In collaboration with researchers worldwide, a genetic and family history study of the “Tiger Cat” group was initiated to investigate this secretive species.
“There were very few records and photographs, and no specimens in museums. This species had gone unnoticed because it was simply not being looked for,” stated geneticist Eduardo Eizirik from Brazil’s Pontifical Catholic University.
The study published in ‘Current Biology’ revealed that the ‘Tiger Cat’ group may include five, not three, species, including the newly identified ‘Tilkaya Cat’ found in Bolivia.
‘Just the First Step So Far’
Image credit: Getty Images
Identifying the species is only the first step. Scientists now need to determine the cat’s habitat, environmental conditions, and the threats it faces in the jungle to develop a complete understanding.
Dr. Caroline Sartore, co-researcher at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at Oxford University, UK, emphasized the discovery’s importance for conservation. Without knowing what a species is and where it lives, effective protection is impossible.
“These cats are as small as domestic cats. It might seem like all types would be known already. But this discovery shows that there is still much to uncover about biodiversity worldwide.”
Habitat destruction, deforestation, and illegal hunting threaten the species within the Tiger Cat group. However, current studies have focused mostly on already identified species.
Until now, only two Tiger Cat species were officially recognized: the Northern Tiger Cat or Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) and the Southern Tiger Cat (Leopardus guttulus).
Recently, the Clouded Tiger Cat (Leopardus pardinoides) has also been acknowledged as a separate species.
As more information about each species becomes available, experts will be able to create better conservation plans for these cats and their habitats.
‘This Discovery Could Have Far-Reaching Impact’
Image credit: Getty Images
This discovery may also significantly affect how wild cat species are classified globally.
Both wild and domestic cats fall under the biological family Felidae. This family includes all species from small domestic cats to large tigers.
Currently, 41 species are officially recognized, but with new discoveries and the possibility of more Tiger Cat species, this number could rise to 44 or 45.
Genetic studies on small wild cats indicate that the total number of cat species worldwide may be higher, as these smaller species have been less studied compared to the larger, more charismatic cats.
Andrew Kitchener, a mammal expert at the National Museum in Scotland, describes the classification of tiger cats, tigrinas, or oncillas from South America as an unresolved challenge.
“These cats are difficult to differentiate because they look very similar to each other and there are few museum specimens. We are learning how to tell these species apart through genome sequencing,” he said.
He is not currently involved in this research.
“Recent advancements in genome sequencing technology and jungle sample collection have made resolving this classification problem easier.”
“This is just the latest stage, and we may uncover even more surprising findings in the future.”
Jonas Lescroart from the University of Antwerp, Belgium, highlighted that this study also confirms the importance of biological specimen collections in museums.
“Without such specimens, we would not be able to properly interpret our findings,” he said.
“Maintaining these collections permanently is crucial since they make discoveries like this possible.”
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