Scientists have identified a new tiger cat species in the cloud forest region of Bolivia, marking the first discovery of a living feline in over a century.
The discovery could rewrite the evolutionary history of small South American cats and pose new challenges for their conservation.
South American cats, wild felines smaller than housecats known as tigrillos, were considered to be one species. But a new analysis of genome samples and museum specimens reveals that they comprise five distinct species.
One of the five species, named Leopardus tilcayo, was found in Yungas, the eastern slope of the Andes where the mountain range meets the Amazon basin in Bolivia.
Measuring at 45-50cm long, with a tail of 10in, L tilcayo is smaller than an average housecat, according to a study detailing the discovery published in the journal Current Biology.
The tiger cat weighs just 1.4-2kg.
A subspecies, called Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo, was also found in the Yungas of Peru.
Its name is inspired by a region of the Inca Empire where the feline is currently located.
In spite of their similar appearances, tigrillos belong to different evolutionary lineages.
Researchers made the discovery after a scitneist who was volunteering at the sanctuary noticed the cat looked unusual.
It had been found in the forest by a local resident, who believed it was a domestic kitten, but it soon it became clear that it did not behave like a house cat. According to NBC News, the man had fed the animal noodles, rice and eggs, before realising it was wild and that he could not take care of it - so he brought it to the sanctuary.
Scientists studied genomes collected from 38 felines in different countries across South America. The genetic data of at least eight cats was obtained from their specimens preserved in museums.
Scientists compared the genomes with genetic material obtained from animals in other regions of South America.
This allowed them to reconstruct with greater precision the evolutionary relationships between the different lineages.
The major finding from the study was the recognition of Leopardus tilcayo as a separate species.
Recognising that tiger cats do not correspond to a single species carries important consequences for their conservation, researchers say.
The felines face increasing threats, including the loss and fragmentation of their habitats, as well as hunting and diseases transmitted by domestic animals.
Some of the newly identified species also inhabit ecosystems that may be significantly affected by climate change.
The populations of these cats suffer from low genetic diversity, meaning their ability to respond to environmental changes may be limited.
In light of the latest findings, it is no longer enough to address the conservation of the tiny cats as if they are a single species, researchers say.
Each lineage requires focused studies on its distribution, genetic diversity, threats, and conservation needs.
“Altogether, our results clarify the evolutionary history of a complex radiation of wild cats, reveal novel taxa, and serve as a basis for conservation planning on behalf of these elusive wild cats,” they said in the study.
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