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]
^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.
^"Monkey, New To Science, Found In Central Africa". NPR. 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
^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.
^Ella Davies (September 13, 2012). "New monkey identified in Africa". BBC News. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
^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.
^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.
^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.
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...
, Emetshu, M., Hart, T.B., Vosper, A., Sargis, E.J. & Tosi, A.J. 2012. Lesula: A New Species of Cercopithecus Monkey Endemic to the Democratic Republic...
Maurice; Hart, Terese B.; Vosper, Ashley; Sargis, Eric J. (2012-09-12). "Lesula: A New Species of Cercopithecus Monkey Endemic to the Democratic Republic...
(22–31 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit as well as insects NT Unknown Lesula C. lomamiensis Hart et al., 2012 Central Africa Size: 40–65 cm (16–26 in)...
Bonobo, Okapi, Congo peafowl, and a newly discovered primate species called Lesula, as well as the rare Dryas monkey known locally as Inoko. An important population...
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