New monkey species discovered in the Congo rainforest
Endangered
Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:
Scientists from the University of Florida announced Atlantic A new species of monkey has been discovered in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, distinguished by unique features, most notably the presence of light-colored patches of skin around the mouth and nose. This discovery is the fifth of its kind for new monkeys to be documented in Africa during the past 75 years.
Locally known as Liquili, it has a mask-like appearance.
The researchers named the new species “Colobus congoensis”, known locally as “Likweli”, and it belongs to the colobus monkey family, where it was spotted in the forests of the Middle Congo Basin, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.
The new monkey is distinguished by its black color and small size, in addition to a “mask-like” appearance due to the presence of a bright creamy orange spot surrounding the mouth and nose area, a distinctive feature not observed in previously known species.
Different sound system
Studies have shown that this species has a different vocal system, as its roar has a special acoustic structure that helps it communicate within its natural environment.
John Hart, a conservation scientist at the Lokoro Wildlife Research Foundation, said the discovery highlights the extent of biodiversity that remains undocumented in the Congo Basin region, despite decades of scientific research.
He added that finding this species confirms the continued existence of undiscovered organisms in one of the most important ecological regions on the planet.
Fears of early extinction
The researchers warned that the new monkey could face extinction due to its limited range and small population size, suggesting that it be classified as an endangered species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria.
Reuters published photos of two Lekuili monkeys, taken in Lomami National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, perched on a tree branch, in photos taken by photographer Daniel Rosengren for the Frankfurt Zoological Society.
The new discovery underscores the importance of protecting the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which are home to thousands of plant and animal species and continue to reveal new secrets in the world of wildlife from time to time.
