New Monkey Species With Striking Orange Lips Discovered In Congo Forests

Democratic Republic of Congo – Scientists have identified a new species of colobus monkey living in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The first sign of the unknown primate came in 2008, when conservationists photographed an unidentified monkey during an expedition in Lomami National Park. After another sighting in 2018, researchers launched a mission to locate and formally describe the animal. The species has been given the scientific name Colobus congoensis and the common name “Likweli”, the name used by local communities. Although mostly black, the monkey can be recognized by a bright orange patch around its mouth, bare grey skin on its cheek bones, black skin around its eyes resembling a mask, and a distinctive patch of white fur around the anus. Likweli produce loud calls known as roars, interrupted by distinctive snorts. Their orange lips make these vocal displays visually as well as audibly striking. Field surveys found the species living across at least 1,700 square kilometers of closed-canopy forest between the Lomami and Lilo rivers. Researchers believe its range is far smaller than that of most other colobus monkeys, making it highly sensitive to habitat quality. The monkeys were usually seen in small groups and often alongside other monkey species. Because of their limited range and population size, researchers recommend that the species be listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Genetic and anatomical studies showed that Likweli are most closely related to black colobus monkeys despite being separated by more than 1,200 kilometers of forest. Researchers estimate the species split from its closest relatives between 5.78 and 3.44 million years ago. Colobus congoensis is only the fifth new species of African monkey to be described during the last 75 years.