PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Cryptic new species of wild cat identified in Brazil

2013-11-27
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Mary Beth O'Leary
moleary@cell.com
617-397-2802
Cell Press
Cryptic new species of wild cat identified in Brazil Researchers reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on November 27 have identified a cryptic new species of wild cat living in Brazil. The discovery is a reminder of just how little scientists still know about the natural world, even when it comes to such charismatic creatures. The findings also have important conservation implications for the cats, the researchers say.

Scientists had thought that there was a single species of housecat-sized Brazilian tigrina. However, the molecular data now show that tigrina populations in northeastern versus southern Brazil are completely separate, with no evidence of interbreeding between them. As such, they are best described as two distinct species.

"Our study highlights the need for urgent attention focused on the Brazilian northeastern tigrinas, which are virtually unknown with respect to most aspects of their biology," says Eduardo Eizirik of Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, noting that much more is known about the cats living in the southern part of the country.

The new study by Eizirik, Tatiane Trigo of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, and their colleagues further revealed a complicated set of relationships between the tigrinas and two other species of Neotropical cats. That evolutionary history includes ancient hybridization and movement of genes between the pampas cat and the northeastern tigrinas (Leopardus tigrinus). In contrast, southern tigrinas (newly recognized as Leopardus guttulus) continue to hybridize with Geoffroy's cats, leading to extreme levels of interbreeding between the species along their contact zone. Those patterns add to evidence that hybridization can and does occur between distinct animal species.

As for the two tigrina species, the researchers suggest that they may be suited to different habitats, with the northeastern cats living primarily in savannahs, as well as dry shrub lands and forests, and the southern species living in denser and wetter Atlantic forests.

"Such distinct habitat associations provide a hint to potentially adaptive differences between these newly recognized species and may have been involved in their initial evolutionary divergence," Trigo says. Moreover, Eizirik adds, "all four species are threatened, and we need to understand as much as possible regarding their genetics, ecology, and evolution to be able to design adequate conservation strategies on their behalf."

###

Current Biology, Trigo et al.: "Molecular data reveal complex hybridization and a cryptic species of Neotropical wild cat."

END



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Genetic mutation increases risk of Parkinson's disease from pesticides

2013-11-27
Genetic mutation increases risk of Parkinson's disease from pesticides Study uses patient-derived stem cells to show that a mutation in the alpha-synuclein gene causes increased vulnerability to pesticides, leading to Parkinson's disease LA ...

A fiery drama of star birth and death

2013-11-27
A fiery drama of star birth and death Located only about 160 000 light-years from us (eso1311 - http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1311/) in the constellation of Dorado (The Swordfish), the Large Magellanic Cloud is one of our closest galactic neighbours. It is actively forming new stars ...

New clues to memory formation may help better treat dementia

2013-11-27
New clues to memory formation may help better treat dementia Brain research by UH biologists provides new clues to Pavlovian conditioning HOUSTON, Nov. 27, 2013 – Do fruit flies hold the key to treating dementia? Researchers at the University of Houston (UH) have taken ...

Hysterectomized women may benefit from testosterone

2013-11-27
Hysterectomized women may benefit from testosterone Researchers see benefits from testosterone administration in hysterectomized women Boston – Hysterectomy and oophorectomy (the removal of ovaries) are performed to treat various diseases in women, including ...

Active component from wine-processed Fructus corni inhibits hippocampal neuron apoptosis

2013-11-27
Active component from wine-processed Fructus corni inhibits hippocampal neuron apoptosis Studies have shown that Fructus corni has a protective effect on hepatocytes, and has anticancer, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, ...

The deadly news about all osteoporotic fractures

2013-11-27
The deadly news about all osteoporotic fractures It is well known that hip and vertebral fractures increase the risk of premature death. Until now, little has been known about the clinical impact of non-hip, non-vertebral fractures – so new ...

Occludin and connexin 43 expression in the pathogenesis of traumatic brain edema

2013-11-27
Occludin and connexin 43 expression in the pathogenesis of traumatic brain edema Understanding the pathogenesis of brain edema may allow for the prevention and treatment of edema in the field of neurosurgery, thus resulting in better treatments for intracranial ...

Chinese medicines that tonify the kidney inhibit dopaminergic neuron apoptosis

2013-11-27
Chinese medicines that tonify the kidney inhibit dopaminergic neuron apoptosis Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly, which is pathologically characterized by selective loss of dopaminergic neurons. Compound preparations of ...

Ocean rip currents claim more lives than other natural hazards

2013-11-27
Ocean rip currents claim more lives than other natural hazards Rip currents claim more lives in Australia on average each year than bushfires, floods, cyclones and sharks combined, UNSW research shows. Rip currents are the cause of an average ...

Teaching matter waves new tricks: Making magnets with ultra cold atoms

2013-11-27
Teaching matter waves new tricks: Making magnets with ultra cold atoms Magnets have fascinated mankind for millenia. From the Greek philosophers to scientists of the modern era, which saw the rise of quantum mechanics, magnets have been ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Scientists target ‘molecular machine’ in the war against antimicrobial resistance

Extending classical CNOP method for deep-learning atmospheric and oceanic forecasting

Aston University research: Parents should encourage structure and independence around food to support children’s healthy eating

Thunderstorms are a major driver of tree death in tropical forests

Danforth Plant Science Center adds two new faculty members

Robotic eyes mimic human vision for superfast response to extreme lighting

Racial inequities and access to COVID-19 treatment

Residential segregation and lung cancer risk in African American adults

Scientists wipe out aggressive brain cancer tumors by targeting cellular ‘motors’

Capturability distinction analysis of continuous and pulsed guidance laws

CHEST expands Bridging Specialties Initiative to include NTM disease and bronchiectasis on World Bronchiectasis Day

Exposure to air pollution may cause heart damage

SwRI, UTSA selected by NASA to test electrolyzer technology aboard parabolic flight

Prebiotics might be a factor in preventing or treating issues caused by low brain GABA

Youngest in class at higher risk of mental health problems

American Heart Association announces new volunteer leaders for 2025-26

Gut microbiota analysis can help catch gestational diabetes

FAU’s Paulina DeVito awarded prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Champions for change – Paid time off initiative just made clinical trials participation easier

Fentanyl detection through packaging

Prof. Eran Meshorer elected to EMBO for pioneering work in epigenetics

New 3D glacier visualizations provide insights into a hotter Earth

Creativity across disciplines

Consequences of low Antarctic sea ice

Hear here: How loudness and acoustic cues help us judge where a speaker is facing

A unique method of rare-earth recycling can strengthen the raw material independence of Europe and America

Epilepsy self-management program shows promise to control seizures, improve mood and quality of life

Fat may play an important role in brain metabolism

New study finds no lasting impact of pandemic pet ownership on human well-being

New insights on genetic damage of some chemotherapies could guide future treatments with less harmful side effects

[Press-News.org] Cryptic new species of wild cat identified in Brazil