A group of jaguar cats living in Bolivian forests has been identified as a new species, the ``Tilcayo''

By analyzing the DNA of jaguar cats from various parts of South America, an international research team including Brazil's Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul announced in the electronic version of the American scientific journal Current Biology that a population living in the forests of Bolivia is classified as a new species. Its size is similar to that of a pet domestic cat, and it was named ``Tilkayo'' after the local name.

The jaguar cat is a member of the genus Ocelot, which is different from the larger jaguar (genus Leopard). As the research progressed, it became increasingly likely that it would be classified into multiple species.

The research team conducted a ``whole genome analysis'' that comprehensively examined the nuclear DNA of a total of 38 animals, including museum specimens, and discovered the existence of Tircayo. It is estimated that they diverged from the ancestors of jaguar cats and other animals about 1.4 million years ago.

It was also discovered that there is a population in Peru that should be classified as a new subspecies of jaguar cat. All of these species are at risk of extinction due to deforestation and poaching, and accurate classification of the species will help in proper conservation and breeding.