Scientists have identified a new species of monkey in Democratic Republic of Congo’s rainforest, distinguished by patches of light-colored skin around its mouth.
Discovery Details
The species, known by locals as “Likweli” and named Colobus congoensis by scientists, is small in size and has a distinctive “mask-like appearance” with a vivid orange-cream patch surrounding its mouth and nose.
The newly identified primate’s roaring possesses a distinct acoustic structure, the research showed. According to John Hart, a conservation scientist from the Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation, “This discovery reinforces how much biodiversity remains undocumented in the Central Congo Basin.”
Researchers warn the monkey may already be at risk due to its small range area and population size and propose the International Union for Conservation of Nature should classify it as endangered.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
