New Monkey Species 'Likweli' Discovered in Congo Rainforest
A new monkey species, the 'Likweli' monkey (Colobus congoensis), has been identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. First photographed in 2008, confirmed sightings occurred from 2018-2022. The species has orange-cream skin around its mouth, spiky black coat, white rump patch, and weighs ~15 lbs. Genetic analysis shows it diverged from black colobus ~5 million years ago. Researchers propose endangered status due to its tiny 650 sq mi range. The study was published July 15 in PLOS One by scientists from Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation, Florida Atlantic University, and Yale University.
Key facts
- New monkey species named Likweli (Colobus congoensis) discovered in DRC rainforest.
- First photographed in 2008, confirmed sightings from 2018-2022.
- Distinct appearance: orange-cream mouth skin, spiky black coat, white rump, ~15 lbs.
- Genetic analysis shows divergence from black colobus ~5 million years ago.
- Range only ~650 sq mi; proposed endangered status.
- Study published July 15 in PLOS One.
- Researchers from Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation, Florida Atlantic University, Yale University.
- Lives in Lomami National Park, a 3,400 sq mi protected area.
Entities
Artists
- Jean Pierre Kapale
- John A. Hart
Institutions
- Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation
- Florida Atlantic University
- Yale University
- Yale Peabody Museum
- Emory University
- International Union for Conservation of Nature
- PLOS One
- Scientific American
- BBC Wildlife Magazine
- Washington Post
- Science
- Frankfurt Zoological Society
- PetaPixel
Locations
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Congo Basin
- Lomami River
- Congo River
- Lomami National Park
- West Africa
- Central Africa
- Longmont
- Colorado
- Lilo River