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Two new howler monkey species discovered in Amazon rainforest after 84 years

By TOI SCIENCE DESK · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

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Scientists have identified two previously unrecognised species of howler monkeys in the Amazon rainforest, marking the first time a new howler monkey species has been described in 84 years. Led by researchers from the University of Salford alongside international collaborators, the study analysed the genomes of 11 howler monkey species across South and Central America and reviewed morphological evidence from museum specimens. Published in *Communications Biology*, the research established that *Alouatta iroi* and…

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Natural river boundaries like the Amazon and Xingu drove independent primate evolution by…: Natural river boundaries like the Amazon and Xingu drove independent primate evolution by physically isolating populations for millions of years.
Severe deforestation in southern Amazonia places Alouatta matogrossensis at immediate ris…: Severe deforestation in southern Amazonia places Alouatta matogrossensis at immediate risk of critical habitat loss.
Neither of the newly identified species has received a formal conservation assessment to…: Neither of the newly identified species has received a formal conservation assessment to protect them from environmental threats.

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The Amazon rainforest has revealed two more of its biological secrets, with scientists identifying two previously unrecognised species of howler monkeys through groundbreaking genetic research. The discovery adds to the known biodiversity of the world's largest tropical rainforest, while raising concerns about the survival of these primates as deforestation continues to destroy their habitats.

The study, led by researchers from the University of Salford and international collaborators, analysed the genomes of 11 howler monkey species found across South and Central America. The research identified two distinct species, Alouatta iroi and Alouatta matogrossensis, which were previously classified within other known species.

Published in Communications Biology, the findings offer a more detailed understanding of how howler monkeys evolved, how their populations are distributed and why the Amazon Basin is home to such remarkable primate diversity.

Genetic analysis reveals hidden species diversity

To establish the evolutionary relationships between different howler monkey populations, the researchers combined genome-wide analysis with morphological evidence from museum specimens.

The findings revealed that populations previously thought to belong to a single species were, in fact, distinct evolutionary lineages. The…

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Natural river boundaries like the Amazon and Xingu drove independent primate evolution by…: Natural river boundaries like the Amazon and Xingu drove independent primate evolution by physically isolating populations for millions of years.
Severe deforestation in southern Amazonia places Alouatta matogrossensis at immediate ris…: Severe deforestation in southern Amazonia places Alouatta matogrossensis at immediate risk of critical habitat loss.
Neither of the newly identified species has received a formal conservation assessment to…: Neither of the newly identified species has received a formal conservation assessment to protect them from environmental threats.

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Natural river boundaries like the Amazon and Xingu drove independent primate evolution by…: Natural river boundaries like the Amazon and Xingu drove independent primate evolution by physically isolating populations for millions of years.
Severe deforestation in southern Amazonia places Alouatta matogrossensis at immediate ris…: Severe deforestation in southern Amazonia places Alouatta matogrossensis at immediate risk of critical habitat loss.
Neither of the newly identified species has received a formal conservation assessment to…: Neither of the newly identified species has received a formal conservation assessment to protect them from environmental threats.

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Two new howler monkey species discovered in Amazon rainforest after 84 years

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