Al Jazara
روایت خاورمیانه 
A new species of wild cat living in the cloud forests of Bolivia has been identified as an unknown species. This comes after more than a century since the last description of a new cat species.
Cloud Forests and New Discovery
The new wild cat, known as 'Tilcayo', was discovered in the Yungas forests of Bolivia. This mountainous region is known for its cloud cover and high humidity, providing a naturally suitable habitat for various animal species. The Tilcayo cat averages 46 centimeters in length and weighs about 1.4 kilograms, making it smaller than a domestic cat.
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Physical Characteristics and Behaviors of the Tilcayo Cat
Paula Nogales-Ascaron, one of the researchers of this study and a National Geographic explorer, explains that the fur of this cat is light brown and decorated with irregular spots. Currently, there is not much information available about the biology and behavior of this cat, but evidence of small rodents in its fecal samples suggests that they may form part of its diet. Additionally, camera trap evidence indicates that this cat is likely more active at night.
Tigris cats, known as enigmatic species, are not easily identifiable based solely on appearance. Yunus Leskroart, an evolutionary biologist and one of the main authors of this study, states that the characteristics of the Bolivian cat do not fully match existing descriptions, which are mostly based on Brazilian cats, raising questions about the exact type of tigris cats in Bolivia.
The research team analyzed DNA from 38 cats collected from several South American countries, including eight museum specimens, and found that tigris cats are actually five distinct genetic species. Yunus Leskroart further states, 'We never expected this Bolivian tigris cat to be a separate species, and no one has ever suggested it as a different animal or subspecies.'
Genetic analyses indicate that the Tilcayo lineage diverged from other tigris cats about 1.4 million years ago. Furthermore, the research team also described a new subspecies of tigris cat in the Yungas of Peru, naming it 'Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo', derived from the ancient Inca Empire region of Antisuyu.
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