The tiny wildcat that turned out to be a whole new species

In a surprising discovery, a tiny spotted wildcat from Bolivia has been officially recognized as a new species, marking the first new living cat species described in over a century. Named Leopardus tilcayo, the animal is smaller than the average domestic cat, with one known male measuring around 45cm from head to body and weighing only 1.3kg. The tilcayo belongs to the South American tiger-cat group and is part of a diverse wildcat family tree in South America.

The story began in 2016 when biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz received a call about an unusual cat from a wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia. The animal, initially thought to be a domestic cat, was later found to be a wild companion with distinct features. After genetic testing, it was confirmed that the tilcayo is genetically distinct from other tiger cats, with its lineage separating from its relatives approximately 1.4 million years ago.

Researchers compared complete genomes from 38 cats in the Leopardus group and found enough genetic differences to recognize the tilcayo as a separate species. The name tilcayo was chosen because local communities in Bolivia have long called the animal by that name, although its origin remains unknown. The species is found in Bolivia's Yungas, a lush, mountainous forest region along the eastern slopes of the Andes.

While basic questions about the tilcayo's behavior, breeding, and distribution remain unanswered, researchers are now using camera traps and further fieldwork to learn more about the species. For now, cat lovers can appreciate the existence of this tiny spotted feline quietly going about its business in the Bolivian cloud forest, while science takes its time to catch up.