Cub Found in Bolivia Helped Uncover the First New Cat Species Named in Over a Century
Learn how Tigrino’s DNA and museum specimens helped researchers untangle the identities of five tiger cat species.
In 2016, a resident of Bolivia's Nor Yungas region discovered a tigrino cub and named him Tigrino. Initially, the cat was thought to be part of the Leopardus tigrinus species. However, after examining Tigrino's DNA, biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz and her team found that he belonged to an entirely new species. This discovery marked the first time a new cat species was named and described in over a century.
The study, published in Current Biology, revealed that cats previously considered a single species, Leopardus tigrinus, are actually five distinct species. These species include the tilcayo, which now has its own name and scientific classification. Tigrino serves as the reference animal for the new species, Leopardus tilcayo, which inhabits Bolivia's mountainous Yungas forests.
The researchers compared the complete genomes of 38 Leopardus species to determine their relationships. The genetic similarities among the cats had made it difficult to differentiate between species, but DNA analysis allowed them to trace their separate evolutionary histories. Eight of the genomes were sourced from historical specimens held in museums in Europe and the United States, providing valuable data on populations that are now rarely encountered in the wild.
The investigation identified a new subspecies, Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo, in Peru's Yungas forests. This subspecies' name honors the Antisuyu region of the former Inca Empire, which includes the area where the cat resides. While the Peruvian cats live close to their Bolivian relatives, their DNA shows a closer relationship to cats from the distant Guiana Shield.
The findings highlight the importance of discovering and understanding new species for their protection. As Eduardo Eizirik, a geneticist at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, stated, "Discovering and understanding these species is vital so that we also know how to protect them." Recognizing five species means conservationists must now focus on the specific needs, ranges, and threats facing each species.
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