The Andean mountain cat looks like a grey tabby domestic cat with strong markings but is distinctly wild and is a member of a group of small wild cats comprising the ocelot, margay, pampas cat, oncilla, Geoffroy’s cat and the kodkod, all under the umbrella of the ‘ocelot lineage’. An in-depth study of molecular genetics confirmed this when they concluded that the “Andean mountain cat diverged from a common ancestor with the ocelot.”
The authors of the superb reference book “Wild Cats of the World” by Mel and Fiona Sunquist say the following about the ocelot lineage:
“…the ocelot lineage diverged some 10-12 million years ago, leading to seven species of small spotted cats in Central and South America. Within the ocelot lineage, the species are thought to form two groups, one comprised of the Andean mountain cat, ocelot and margay and the other containing the pampas cat, oncilla, Geoffroy’s cat and kodkod.”
Mel and Fiona Sunquist.
The study is: Tracking the evolution of the elusive Andean mountain cat (Oreailurus jacobita from mitochondrial DNA. Citation for the study is: WE Johnson, M Culver, JA Iriarte, E Eizirik, KL Seymour, SJ O’Brien, Tracking the evolution of the elusive Andean mountain cat (Oreailurus jacobita from mitochondrial DNA, Journal of Heredity, Volume 89, Issue 3, May 1998, Pages 227–232, https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/89.3.227
And here is a quote from the study’s summary:
“Our findings suggest that the Andean mountain cat diverged from a common ancestor with the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and
Study conclusion
margay (L. wiedii) and exhibits moderate levels of genetic variation.”
Chart showing the ocelot lineage and the domestic cat under a different lineage and as a separate species of cat
The Andean mountain cat is threatened with extinction. They are rare and very special. Their numbers are decreasing and there are an estimated 1,378 individuals left in the wild. Unbelievable really. A very small population and dangerously close to the time when they become inbred and sterile which would be near terminal. The threats are all from humankind including human activities leading to energy production and mining and climate change and so on. The locals have killed many for superstitious reasons. They are easy to kill as they still don’t understand that the human is a danger to them.
RELATED: Andean mountain cat ecology and behavior
Andean mountain cat facts for kids in a single image
