Two new howler monkey species discovered in Amazon rainforest
Genetic research has identified Alouatta iroi and Alouatta matogrossensis, the first new howler monkey species described in 84 years.
Scientists have identified two previously unrecognised species of howler monkeys in the Amazon rainforest through genetic research, according to the Times of India. The study, led by researchers from the University of Salford and international collaborators, identified the species as Alouatta iroi and Alouatta matogrossensis.
The research involved analysing the genomes of 11 howler monkey species across South and Central America. By combining genome-wide analysis with morphological evidence from museum specimens, the team found that populations previously thought to be a single species were actually distinct evolutionary lineages.
This discovery is the first of its kind since Lonnberg described the Alouatta puruensis species in 1941. Researchers found that major river systems, such as the Amazon, Rio Branco, and Xingu, acted as natural barriers that allowed isolated groups to evolve independently.
One of the new species, Alouatta matogrossensis, lives in southern Amazonia, a region facing rapid deforestation due to human activities and the expansion of agricultural croplands. While the conservation status of these populations has not been assessed, researchers warned that habitat loss could place them at risk.
Professor Jean Boubli from the University of Salford's Environmental Research & Innovation Centre said the discovery comes at a critical time as deforestation and climate change threaten species before they are fully understood. Dr Romina Batista, an honorary Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Salford, added that understanding different species is the first step towards protecting them.