New wildcat species identified in Bolivia after decade-long study

Leopardus tilcayo becomes the first new wildcat species described in more than a century

Scientists have formally identified Leopardus tilcayo, a previously undescribed wildcat from Bolivia’s Yungas, after nearly 10 years of research that began with a kitten mistakenly taken home as a stray. The study, published this week in Current Biology, marks the first new wildcat species described in more than 100 years; the pampas cat was last reported in 1923.

A kitten revealed a larger scientific mystery

A local man found the kitten alone near the forest and cared for it for about a year. In 2016, after it began chasing neighbours’ chickens, the family surrendered it to Senda Verde, an animal refuge, which contacted biologist Paola Nogales Ascarrunz.

Nogales Ascarrunz initially thought the animal was a tigrina, or Leopardus tigrinus. Its size and the shape of its spots raised doubts, however. The research team later compared DNA from tiger cats across South America with genomic material from century-old museum skulls.

DNA separated the cat from similar species

Tiger cats are a cryptic species group: animals can look nearly identical while being genetically distinct. Researchers combined existing data from Brazil and Colombia with new samples from the Guianas, Peru and Bolivia, revealing five distinct species rather than the two to four previously expected.

Leopardus tilcayo has so far been genetically confirmed only in Bolivia. Researchers do not yet know whether it occupies one pocket of the Yungas or a wider area, or whether it extends into Peru or northern Argentina. Its diet, predators, reproduction and population size have also not been documented.

Recognition could affect conservation

Tiger cats are assessed collectively as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Researchers said dividing the group into five species could mean that individual populations require more targeted protection because each recognised species represents a smaller population.

Genomic data indicates long-term declines across most tiger cat lineages, with some populations reduced by as much as 80 percent from historical highs. Bolivian elders have also told Nogales Ascarrunz that they are seeing fewer tilcayos in the forest.