A new species of monkey has announced its existence in the Democratic Republic of Congo based on a unique call that differs from near relatives in the area.
The newly-dubbed likweli is only the fifth new monkey species to be discovered in Africa over the last 75 years.
With orange lips and dark black fur, the monkey had remained a mystery to scientists and even many local villages. In addition to genetic, photographic and acoustic studies of the species, researchers carried out interviews with local villagers to learn more about the potential new species. “As part of our search, we interviewed people in 52 villages close to where the animals live,” Junior Amboko told BBC News. “Only people in eight villages [had ever seen] them.” Amboko was a lead author on a paper published in PLoS One that documented the new species.
The likweli’s Latin name, Colobus congoensis, pays homage to the natural diversity of the country, according to the researchers in the study. Now that the monkeys are officially classified, researchers hope conservation laws can help protect the species.
