A new species of monkey has been identified in Africa, the second one in 28 years, say scientists.
The primate was discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo where it is known locally as a "lesula".
The species is separated from its nearest cousins by two rivers: the Congo and the Lomami.
Conservationists say the discovery highlights the need to protect the diverse wildlife of the Congo basin.
The discovery was published in the online journal Public Library of Science.
The first contact scientists had with the monkey was when they encountered a juvenile female, kept in a cage by a primary school director in the town of Opala.He referred to the animal as a "lesula", a common name among local hunters, and it was taken into care and monitored by scientists.
During investigations in the local area the team found further captive monkeys and six months later they finally observed the long black limbs of the species in the wild.
"When we started our inventories in the [Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba] landscape we knew it was essentially unexplored but we did not imagine how important the biological discoveries would be," said Dr John Hart of the Lukuru Foundation, who led the project.
"We did not expect to find a new species, especially in a group as well known as the African guenons."
In the paper, the formal description of the species detailed their distinctive facial features: "A mane of long grizzled blond hairs frames a protruding pale, naked face and muzzle, with a variably distinct cream-coloured vertical nose stripe."
After genetic analysis identified the species as a member of the guenon group of Old World monkeys, scientists named it Cercopithecus lomamiensis after the nearby Lomami River.Researchers estimated the monkeys' range at around 6,500 sq miles in central DR Congo but voiced concerns that this relatively small distribution could make the animals vulnerable to human pressures, such as bushmeat hunting.
"The challenge for conservation now in Congo is to intervene before losses become definitive," said Dr Hart.
"Species with small ranges like the lesula can move from vulnerable to seriously endangered over the course of just a few years."
Biologists suggested that the previously unexplored forest could be home to more unidentified species.
"This discovery may be only the first from this remarkable but poorly known forest, located in the central DRC [DR Congo]," said anthropologist Andrew Burrell from New York University who was also involved in the study.
"Recent surveys have shown that the forest also harbours okapi, bonobos and elephants, as well as 10 other primate species or subspecies."
Dr Hart added that the region is now in the final stages of being declared a protected area: the Lomami National Park.
"The discovery of the lesula has extended our knowledge of the evolution and ecology of African monkeys, and in particular has confirmed the importance of a previously little-known region for primate diversity," he told BBC Nature.
Where was found the species? What are the characteristic features of this species have? What is the name of scientist who discovered this species? What is the name of this species? Can people help to save this kind?
This article is very informative for me because i enjoy the world of nature.I think this kind of monkeys is very large discovery for modern nature.In my opinion,it is important for scientists.
I like to travel and everything about different counties,cities or even continents are very intresting for me. I like animals too and this article combines two of my favorite hobbies. I think it's great)
I enjoyed reading this article, because I like articles about animals. It's definitely good news that people find a new species of monkeys and I hope that It's not a last find.
Any discovery is always interesting. Especially if it's connected with the animal world. I think that the discovery of the lesula is a great contribution to modern science.
It is really amazing that scientists discover new species of animals nowadays, when every inch of the Earth is explored thoroughly. In my humble opinion there is no real benefit from discovering yet another monkey, even if it's "blond"
It is good that our science isn't static. Every time our scientists discover something new and get knowledge. These knowledge will be usefull for our people in the future.
It is wonderful that people find a new species of animals!!!It means that we don't know everything and we can aspire to the new knowledge!!!I hope that people will know a lot of new things in the future!!!
Firstly, i like animals very much,so, i read this article with pleasure. I agree that this acticle is very informative. I want to add that the world of nature has many interesting secrets which a person should know. I think if you read this text, you will not regret .
