Scientists Identify First New Cat Species in Over a Century
Scientists have formally named a new wild cat species found in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forest — the first living cat species newly identified in more than a century. The study appeared Thursday in Current Biology.
- About 18 inches long and roughly 3 pounds, the cat is smaller than a typical house cat.
- Genetic analysis shows the Tilcayo lineage split from other tiger cats about 1.4 million years ago.
- Researchers analyzed complete genomes from 38 cats, including 26 tiger cats and 8 museum specimens.
- The same study identified five genetically distinct tiger cat species total, plus a new subspecies in Peru.
Why it matters: Tiger cats are cryptic species — different species look nearly identical, so genetics is the only reliable way to tell them apart. Two currently accepted tiger cat species are listed as vulnerable with declining populations, and the Tilcayo could rate as endangered when assessed on its own.
- The Yungas faces mounting pressure from deforestation, agricultural expansion, fires, and mining.
- Eduardo Eizirik, senior author and researcher at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, said undiscovered species risk vanishing before science can document them.
How 22 sources split on this story
Center coverage, 10 sources: The center focuses on the technical methodology — genetic analysis, taxonomy, and the IUCN review process — giving prominence to the scientific and regulatory implications.
Reuters17hNew cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century
BBC News10hSpotted wildcat from Bolivian forest revealed as new species
CNET10hCongratulations, World: A New Supercute Cat Species Has Been Found - CNETCNCTV News16hNew cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century
Jerusalem Post31mMysterious Bolivian 'weird cat' recognized as new species, marking first discovered in over century
Sky News2hNew species of wild cat identified in Bolivia - first for more than 100 yearsWNCWFLA News Channel 810hNew cat species identified for first time in 100 yearsWYWKBN Youngstown7hNew cat species identified for first time in 100 yearsWSWSAV Savannah10hNew cat species identified for first time in 100 yearsYNYahoo News18hMeet the First New Cat Species Discovered in 100 YearsLeft coverage, 7 sources: The left frames this as a conservation call to action — a charismatic new species that underscores how much biodiversity remains undiscovered and at risk.
NBC News18hNew wild cat species is identified for first time in 100 years, researchers say
Gizmodo18hScientists Discover First New Cat Species in Over a Century—and It's Love at First Sight
The Independent3hNew wildcat species identified for the first time in over a century in Bolivia
ABC News8hFirst new feline species in 100 years discovered in Bolivian forest
Al Jazeera5hNew tiger cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century
CNN10hMeet the tiny wild cat that’s new to science
The Guardian12hNew cat species identified in Bolivia for first time in more than a century
Breitbart News9hScientists Discover New Wild Cat Species for First Time in 100 Years
Citizen Free Press17hFirst new wild cat species identified in 100 years.
Daily Mail9hLittle big cat is the first new feline species found in a century: Tiny Tilcayo is seen prowling around Bolivian cloud forest
New York Post10hNew cat species identified for first time in 100 years — it's 3 pounds and looks like a mini leopard
The Sun1hNew cat species discovered for first time in 100 years as tiny wild Tilcayo seen prowling in Bolivian forestWhat’s next: The IUCN will evaluate all five tiger cat lineages separately in an upcoming Red List reassessment.
- Researchers say additional regions still need sampling before the full evolutionary picture is clear.
- How many Tilcayo cats survive in the wild remains unknown; no population estimate exists yet.
- Whether the IUCN will classify the Tilcayo as endangered after its separate assessment is undetermined.