Central African monkey with striking patch is new species, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• A new species of African monkey, Colobus congoensis, locally known as ‘Likweli’, has been discovered in Central Africa.
• The discovery was made in Lomami National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• This small, black monkey is distinguished by a striking orange-cream patch around its mouth and a white patch under its tail.
• Researchers have proposed classifying the Colobus congoensis as Endangered due to its limited range and threats.
• It is only the fifth new monkey species identified in Africa in the past 75 years.

New Species.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The Colobus congoensis was first photographed in 2008, but its unique species status was confirmed through genetic tests and field observations conducted between 2018 and 2022.
• Lomami National Park, where the species resides, is located in the Tshopo and Maniema provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and was established in 2016 as the country's ninth national park.
• Genetic analysis indicates that Colobus congoensis diverged from its closest known relative, Colobus satanas, approximately 4 to 5 million years ago, despite the latter being found over 1,200 kilometers away.
• The species is highly elusive, with only 114 sightings recorded across an estimated range of just 1,700 square kilometers between 2018 and 2022.
• The proposed Endangered status is a precautionary measure, considering its restricted habitat, ongoing habitat loss, and pressure from hunting.
• Like other Colobus monkeys, the Likweli is primarily arboreal, spending most of its life in trees, and is a leaf-eater with specialized stomachs capable of digesting toxic foliage.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Colobus monkeys: A genus of Old World monkeys characterized by their arboreal lifestyle, a diet primarily of leaves, and a vestigial thumb.
• Lomami National Park: A protected area in the Democratic Republic of Congo, established in 2016, crucial for conserving diverse flora and fauna, including endemic species.
• Endangered (IUCN Red List): A conservation status assigned by the International Union for Conservation of Nature to species facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.