A new species of cat has been discovered in Corsica: its DNA is different from that of other felines and researchers hope it will soon be recognized
A new cat species was discovered in Corsica: was nicknamed cat-fox and at the moment the specimens present on the island amount to 16. Experts are sure it is not a species already known and hope it will soon be recognized as a new species ... and protected.
The new cat species discovered in the mountains in Corsica
It is 90 centimeters long, has particularly developed canines, large ears, short whiskers, brindle front legs and tail: this is the identikit of the new cat species discovered in Corsica. On the island they have been spotted already 16 specimens, including a female. Twelve cats have already been chipped in order to be able to monitor them over time and study them. Corsican shepherds already knew this cat, which they nicknamed cat-fox, but researchers have been trying to classify this species for over ten years.
Charles-Antone Cecchini of the National Office of Hunting and Wildlife, said:
“This feline is part of the mythology of our shepherds who from generation to generation tell stories of how the fox cat attacks the udders of their sheep and goats. "
Ten years of research for the cat-fox
Dopo un research program launched in 2008, scholars were able to capture a specimen thanks to the placement of cameras and traps. In the following years they started study its DNA, thus discovering substantial genetic differences between the cat-fox and the European cat.
Although resembling a common cat, the DNA of this new cat species has nothing to do with our domestic friends and European wild cats and its genetic footprint appears instead more similar to that of the African cat.
VIDEO: In the Asco forest in Corsica, two agents of the National Hunting and Wildlife Office (ONCFS) show AFP what they think is a new feline species pic.twitter.com/txeLeqzjhw
— AFP news agency (@AFP) 14 giugno 2019
At the moment the information on the behavior of the cat-fox in nature are scarce: the researchers speculate it is udi a species with nocturnal habits, which is why it has been difficult to scientifically identify until today.
The environmental technical chief of the national hunting and wildlife office Pierre Bendetti said:
“We believe that it is a known but not scientifically identified natural wild species because it is an extremely inconspicuous animal with nocturnal habits”.
Benedetti has called the discovery of the new species "wonderful" and believes that the cats may have come from the Middle East and that they may have been brought to the island by farmers in 6.500 BC.
In light of the new findings, the researchers hope that the cat-fox will be recognized as a new species and protected in the coming years.
Read also:
-
- 5 mysterious wild cats you may never have heard of
- Welcome to Koshlandia, the extravagant land of Siberian cats
- The secret life of cats
Tatiana Maselli
Photo Credit AFP
