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May 31, 2005

New Monkeys!

New species are just appearing left and right! First there was the new rodent species found in the Southeast Asia market. Now Science has covered the discovery of a previously unknown species of primate. Again, this is another case of the locals being aware of a creature, but the scientists not necessarily knowing about them until they ask.

A previously unknown monkey species has been found in the mountains of southern Tanzania.

The animal is believed to be a critically endangered species, with no more than perhaps a thousand individuals remaining.

The highland mangabey, as it is called, lives in the trees and is thought to be closely related to the baboon family.

More at: BBC NEWS | New African monkey discovered

This also underscores the need to protect the wilds of Africa from deforestation and other human factors. Who knows what other flora and fauna exist in these areas that we don't know about yet. I think the reason a monkey gets so much press compared to a new insect or star, is because these human cousins could shed more light on our own evolutionary path.

The discovery of a new monkey species in the mountains of Tanzania highlights the potential for uncovering a trove of as-yet unknown fauna in Africa, scientists who reported the find said.

The identification of the "Highland Mangabey," the first new monkey species discovered in Africa in more than 20 years, also underscores the need to protect such areas from human encroachment

More at: New monkey find in Tanzania suggests wealth of undiscovered African fauna

Another good article about the monkey and the rodent: New Mammals: Coincidence, shopping yield two species

Posted by sorsha at May 31, 2005 10:25 PM