A new species of monkey, distinguished by pale markings around its mouth, has been formally identified deep in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The primate, named Colobus congoensis, was discovered in Lomami National Park in the country's east-central region.
Local communities had occasionally spotted the animal for years, referring to it informally as Likweli, but it was only confirmed as a distinct species when findings were published in a scientific journal on Thursday.
Conservationists first photographed the monkey in 2008, though the image captured only part of the animal, fuelling speculation that a new species may have been found.
It would take another decade before field researcher Jean Pierre Kapale led an expedition that confirmed its existence, photographing the monkey on seven further occasions.
Since then, researchers have logged 114 field sightings between 2018 and 2022, across a range spanning roughly 1,056 miles (1,700km) of DRC forest.
According to a paper published in PLOS One, the monkey's black fur, coupled with pale markings around its mouth and a white patch near its tail, sets it apart from any other known primate in the region.
Researchers say the find marks only the fifth time a new monkey species has been discovered in Africa in 75 years.
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The paper's authors, including Junior D Amboko, John A Hart and Julia L Arenson, have recommended that Colobus congoensis be added to the endangered species list, citing its limited population and mounting pressure from human expansion.
"Expansions of human populations from the current areas of settlement are ongoing, with at least 15 new villages added within and adjacent to the range of C. congoensis in the Lomami National Park buffer zone between 2015 and 2023," the paper states.
Researchers warned that continued land-use changes could bring "significant reductions" in the species' population and further habitat loss over coming decades.
Despite living close to human settlements, the monkey remains little known among nearby communities.
Researchers describe it as "quiet and cryptic," saying that only eight of 52 surveyed localities bordering its range had residents who could accurately describe the animal.
The species does, however, have names within local languages.
It was said that the Balanga people, who live west of the Lomami River, know it as Likweli, while Mituku communities call it kasaba nkoni "the branchshaker."
Researchers also recorded the monkey's distinctive roaring call, capturing six vocalisations on camera during their fieldwork.
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