Data Reveals New Cryptic Species of Neotropical Wild Cat in Brazil.

Scientists have discovered that two populations of tigrina previously thought to be one species do not, in fact, interbreed and thus are distinct, according to results published today in Current Biology.

The tigrina is actually two separate species, say researchers in a new report. Photograph by Tadeu Oliveira

 

“This observation implies that these tigrina populations are not interbreeding, which led us to recognize them as distinct species,” Eizirik says. The researchers have suggested that the northeastern tigrina retain its current name of L. tigrinus, while dubbing the southern tigrina L. guttulus.

“Very little was—and still is—known about this species,” says Eizirik. “There have been some initial studies on its diet, but still most of its basic biology remains poorly known, including density, habitat use, and population trends.”

Original Source: http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/11/27/new-species-wild-cat-found-prowling-brazil/