Bolivia Identifies New Tilcayo Wild Cat Species
Saturday, September 26, 2026192 words3 minutes1466 reads
Scientists have formally described Leopardus tilcayo, a small spotted wild cat from Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests. The animal was once treated as a northern tiger cat, Leopardus tigrinus. But Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz noticed that one animal at the Senda Verde wildlife refuge did not match reference images. Its large rosettes, long tail, and small rounded ears raised questions.
The team did not name a new species from appearance alone. They sequenced and compared complete genomes from 38 Leopardus cats across South and Central America. Eight samples came from museum specimens. This combination of modern samples and older museum material helped researchers reconstruct the cats' genetic relationships. The analysis found that the tilcayo has a distinct lineage, meaning a separate evolutionary history.
The report calls tilcayo the first newly described living cat species in more than a century. That does not mean it was unknown to local people: tilcayo was already a local name. Nor does formal recognition mean scientists know everything about it. Only two live individuals were examined, and researchers say its range, population, diet, and behavior need more study. Clear taxonomy can help conservation planners assess threats to each species separately.
