New wild cat species discovered – with only one known living member

HelloUsername

We got a new cat species before we got GTA VI

t1234s

Whoever domesticates that breed for house cats will become rich.

nemomarx

> Tiger cats previously had been considered a single species, but genetic studies decades ago suggested the existence of multiple species. So more like they identified that part of the known population was a different species just now. It'll take more effort tagging and identifying other tiger cats to see if they also belong to this particular one?

toolslive

There also was the Corsican wildcat[0] which briefly was a new species and now has "uncertain taxonomic status" (whatever that may mean). [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corsican_wildcat

pbhjpbhj

Did I miss where they said the basis on which they judged it to be a different species? Presumably DNA differences - would have been nice to see something about that. There's mention of wildcats interbreeding with house cats, so presumably ability to cross-breed isn't part of the "new species" calculation?

jmartrican

To me they are all just cats. I'm sure if they all got it on they would all be able to have functional offspring.

Beijinger

Wasn't this link first in this post? https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/meet-the-... "The man took the animal home, believing it to be a domestic breed. But after about a year of living with the clearly wild animal, he realized it would be better off at a sanctuary." Wish there would be more information.

ChrisArchitect

More discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49744704