Lesula

Lesula monkey
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Haplorhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Family: Cercopithecidae
Genus: Cercopithecus
Species:
C. lomamiensis
Binomial name
Cercopithecus lomamiensis
Hart et al., 2012

The lesula (Cercopithecus lomamiensis) is a species of Old World monkey in the guenon genus Cercopithecus, found in the Lomami Basin of the Congo. Though known to locals, it was unknown to the international scientific community until it was discovered in 2007 and confirmed in a 2012 publication. The lesula is the second new species of African monkey to be discovered since 1984.[2] This monkey is described to have human looking eyes and a blue bottom[3][4] “And adult males have a huge bare patch of skin in the buttocks, testicles and perianal area,” said John A. Hart, the researcher who described the monkey. “It’s a brilliant blue, really pretty spectacular.”[5]

The species was listed among the Top 10 New Species 2013 discovered in 2012 as selected by the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University out of more than 140 nominated species. Its distinctiveness is its human-like eyes, genital area and booming dawn chorus. The selection was declared on 22 May 2013.[6][7]

Distribution

Lesula booms

The lesula lives in rainforests in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the 2007 specimen found in captivity in the village of Opala. Since that sighting, it has also been seen in the wild. Its range is between the Lomami and Tshuapa rivers in the central part of the country.[8]

Status

The lesula is vulnerable to hunting for bushmeat.[9] Protecting the species could be challenging, as species with such a small range can go from vulnerable to seriously endangered in a few years. The lesula's range is within the Tshuapa–Lomami–Lualaba Conservation Landscape, and the Lomami National Park has been proposed to protect this and other species in the region.

Behavior

The lesula are generally described by researchers as quiet and shy.[10] They also tend to usually live in small family groups of around five members or less. The Lesula's days consist of leisurely activities such as foraging for fruits and vegetation, grooming, and resting.

References

  1. ^ Detwiler, K.M.; Hart, J.A. (2020). "Cercopithecus lomamiensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T92401376A92401776. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T92401376A92401776.en. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  2. ^ "Monkey, New To Science, Found In Central Africa". NPR. 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  3. ^ John A. Hart; Kate M. Detwiler; Christopher C. Gilbert; Andrew S. Burrell; James L. Fuller; Maurice Emetshu; Terese B. Hart; Ashley Vosper; Eric J. Sargis & Anthony J. Tosi (2012). Turvey, Samuel T. (ed.). "Lesula: A new species of Cercopithecus monkey endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo and implications for conservation of Congo's central basin". PLOS ONE. 7 (9): e44271. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...744271H. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0044271. PMC 3440422. PMID 22984482.
  4. ^ Ella Davies (September 13, 2012). "New monkey identified in Africa". BBC News. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  5. ^ Bhanoo, Sindya N (September 13, 2012). "A New Kind of Monkey, With Colors That Set It Apart". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  6. ^ Newswise (22 May 2013). "Scientists Announce Top 10 New Species". Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Newswise, Inc. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
  7. ^ Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (22 May 2013). "Top 10 new species of 2012". ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, LLC. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
  8. ^ David Braun (September 13, 2012). "New Monkey Discovered in the Congo". National Geographic. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  9. ^ Andrea Mustain OurAmazingPlanet (2012-09-12). "New, colorful monkey species discovered in Africa rain forest". msnbc.com. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  10. ^ Hart, John A.; Detwiler, Kate M.; Gilbert, Christopher C.; Burrell, Andrew S.; Fuller, James L.; Emetshu, Maurice; Hart, Terese B.; Vosper, Ashley; Sargis, Eric J.; Tosi, Anthony J. (2012-09-12). "Lesula: A New Species of Cercopithecus Monkey Endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Implications for Conservation of Congo's Central Basin". PLOS ONE. 7 (9): e44271. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...744271H. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0044271. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 3440422. PMID 22984482.

Bibliography