Likweli: A Rare New Monkey Species Discovered in the Congo Basin
'Likweli': A new monkey species discovered in the Congo Basin
Our team has identified Likweli, a distinct Colobus monkey species living high in the canopies of Lomami National Park. This discovery marks only the fifth new African monkey found in 75 years, confirmed through unique genetics, vocalizations, and physical traits. We emphasize the urgent need to protect this cryptic, endangered species and the rich biodiversity of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Discovering a primate species is exceptionally rare, especially from populations previously unknown to science.
- pfdietz
The new species is an example of a "cryptic species": a species that is morphologically similar to another species but can be distinguished by DNA.
Cryptic species are astoundingly common. A recent paper estimates that each known vertebrate morphological species is, on average, actually two cryptic species.
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article/293/2064/202...
- rustyhancock
I wish they called it confirmed and not discovered
It was known about by the locals, they even gave it a name, it's call was very well known even if few had sighted it.
They did important scientific work to confirm a distinct species. But they did not discover it unless you discount the local people!
- anotherpaul
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal...
The link to the paper
- talktalkmake
OOO! Chimpanzee-that! Monkey News.
- rickdangerous1
The bigfoot folks will be talking about this for years.