New Andean Wildcat Species Identified After Genetic Analysis
Scientists have confirmed a distinct wildcat species, Leopardus tilcayo, in Bolivia's cloud forests, highlighting conservation concerns for its threatened habitat.
Researchers have described a previously unknown wildcat species from the Andean cloud forests of Bolivia. The animal, named Leopardus tilcayo, measures about 46 cm in length and weighs roughly 1.4 kg, with a light brown coat marked by irregular rosettes. The discovery originated in 2016 when a local resident brought a kitten to a Bolivian animal shelter, and biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz photographed it, initially assuming it was a known species such as the oncilla.
Three years later, while preparing a field guide, Nogales-Ascarrunz noted that the rosette pattern differed from descriptions of other South American tiger cats. Genetic testing of 38 regional felines confirmed that the specimen represents a separate lineage that diverged from related species about 1.4 million years ago.
The name “Tilcayo” was retained from local usage, reflecting the animal’s familiarity to nearby communities despite its scientific obscurity. Evolutionary biologist Eduardo Eizirik, a co-author of the study, warned that the species’ habitat—the Yungas cloud forest—is facing pressures from logging, wildfires, agriculture, drought and mining, which could make the newly identified population vulnerable.
"Many unknown species still exist around the world, and they risk disappearing before we even discover them," Eizirik said.
The finding underscores the possibility of additional cryptic wildcat species in the region and the importance of habitat protection for their survival.