A spotted wild cat found in Bolivia has been identified as a species in its own right after years of being grouped with closely related cats, according to reporting by the BBC. The finding is striking not only because the animal was misclassified for so long, but because researchers currently know of only one living member of the newly recognised species.
“Only one living member of the newly identified species is currently known.”
— BBC News
Mistaken for its relatives
The cat’s spotted appearance had led it to be treated as one of its relatives rather than a separate species. Fresh assessment has now separated it as distinct. Beyond Bolivia as the location of the identification, and the fact of a single known living individual, further particulars — including a scientific name and the precise methods used to distinguish the animal — were not set out in the account available.
“The spotted wild cat had long been mistaken for related species.”
— BBC News
What is known so far
- The animal is a spotted wild cat identified in Bolivia
- It had previously been mistaken for related species
- It has now been recognised as a new species
- Only one living member is presently known
A species known from a single living animal would, if that picture holds, be of exceptional conservation interest. Whether other individuals survive undetected is not established in the reporting to hand. Kings Journal will follow any fuller scientific description of the Bolivian cat as it becomes available.
