Scientists discover two adorable species of howler monkey in the Amazon — and they're already endangered
A genetic analysis has identified two previously unrecognized species of howler monkey that change these primates' evolutionary tree.
Scientists have identified two new species of howler monkeys in the Amazon rainforest, potentially altering their evolutionary tree. The new species, Alouatta iroi and Alouatta matogrossensis, boast distinctive features such as bushy beards, appealing expressions, and vivid red fur. This discovery brings the total number of known howler monkey species to 16, according to researchers.
Romina Batista, the study's first author and a biodiversity scientist, emphasized the Amazon's ongoing capacity to reveal biological secrets, even among well-known animals like howler monkeys. One of the newly discovered species, A. matogrossensis, may be endangered, while the other faces threats from a proposed dam on the Rio Branco River.
The study, published in the journal Communications Biology, utilized genetic evidence to understand the spread and diversification of howler monkeys. Analysis of 11 howler monkey species' genomes from South and Central America revealed that these primates diverged from their close relatives between 19 million and 13.5 million years ago.
However, the researchers also found that some previously closely related species, such as the Tapajós red-handed howler and the Amazonian black howler, are not as closely related as previously thought. The study highlights the critical role of natural barriers, like the Amazon River and the Xingu River, in driving howler monkeys to evolve separately.
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