[PaleoMammalogy • 2026] Olotimcolobus narokensis & Lemucolobus orkimusei • A Systematic Revision of the Late Miocene Cercopithecid Monkeys From the Lemudong'o Formation, Kenya

 

Olotimcolobus narokensis

Arenson, Gilbert, Yang, Ambrose, Kinyanjui, Manthi, DiMaggio & Hammond, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70317 

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The late Miocene Lemudong'o Formation in southwestern Kenya (6.2–6.0 Ma) samples an important period in Africa when early representatives of modern catarrhine clades (Hominidae and Cercopithecidae) appear. Fossils collected from this formation before 2007 include three species of colobine monkey. However, several new fossils have been recovered, including a partial cranium, calling for a reassessment of Lemudong'o Formation cercopithecid taxonomy.

Materials and Methods: This study describes 79 new cercopithecid specimens from collection years 2007–2016 and 2019–2024. These specimens, together with previously published material from the Lemudong'o Formation, are compared to fossil cercopithecids from other contemporaneous sites in Africa as well as a sample of extant cercopithecids.

Results: New material supports the presence of the three previously identified colobine taxa and identifies a novel fourth colobine species. The novel colobine species is described as Olotimcolobus narokensis gen. et sp. nov., and the previously recognized small indeterminate colobine is here named Lemucolobus orkimusei gen. et sp. nov. Existing hypodigms are refined in light of this new taxonomy. A papionin is also identified from this formation for the first time, adding to the scant late Miocene cercopithecine record.

Discussion: The Lemudong'o Formation is remarkable for its high cercopithecid diversity in the Late Miocene. The predominance of colobines here and at other contemporaneous sites (e.g., Lukeino, Lothagam, Nakali, Toros Menalla) suggests that colobines were more diverse than cercopithecines through the early part of their radiation. Possible ecological factors are discussed in the context of early cercopithecid diversity and evolution.

 Olotimcolobus narokensis gen. et sp. nov.

 

Julia L. Arenson, Christopher C. Gilbert, Deming Yang, Stanley H. Ambrose, Rahab N. Kinyanjui, Fredrick K. Manthi, Erin N. DiMaggio and Ashley S. Hammond. 2026. A Systematic Revision of the Late Miocene Cercopithecid Monkeys From the Lemudong'o Formation, Kenya. American Journal of Biological Anthropology. 190(3); e70317. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70317 [27 July 2026]

Descobreixen dos nous gèneres de primats de fa 6 milions d’anys en un jaciment fòssil de Kenya

https://www.icp.cat/index.php/ca/sala-de-premsa-4/noticies-icp/item/3708-descobreixen-dos-nous-generes-de-primats-de-fa-6-milions-d-anys-en-un-jaciment-fossil-de-kenya

[Mammalogy • 2026] Colobus congoensis • Likweli: A remarkable New Species of Colobus Monkey from the Lomami National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo

Colobus congoensis  

  J. Hart, Amboko, Arenson, Horton, Coates, Kapale, Koko, T. Hart, Gilbert, Sargis et Detwiler, 2026 

 

Likweli  |  DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0349857

 

Abstract

We describe and name a new species of African monkey, Colobus congoensis sp. nov. (Primates, Cercopithecidae), from the interfluve region of the Lomami and Congo (Lualaba) Rivers in east-central Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Colobus congoensis is a rare and cryptic monkey, poorly known even by local communities bordering its range, some of whom use the vernacular name Likweli for the species. Between 2018 and 2022, 114 field observations were made over an estimated range of 1,700 km2. Colobus congoensis is largely restricted to high, closed canopy forest on deep clay pediments and islands of terra firme forest, where it co-occurs with two other colobine species (Piliocolobus parmentieri and Colobus angolensis). Colobus congoensis was most frequently observed in small groups (mean = 6.2 individuals), often in mixed-species associations. Mitochondrial and morphological data confirm the attribution of C. congoensis to the genus Colobus and reveal that it is the sister to Colobus satanas, from which it is geographically separated by more than 1,200 km. Comparative analysis of C. congoensis vocalizations also reveals structural similarities with C. satanas to the exclusion of other Colobus species. Among other features, C. congoensis is distinguished from C. satanas and other Colobus species by its small size, a striking orange cream patch surrounding the mouth, philtrum, and portions of the inferior nasal alae on an otherwise black face, and a white perianal patch that is covered with fine white hairs in males and is glabrous in females. We propose a preliminary IUCN Red List classification of Endangered (EN) for C. congoensis based on its small range area and population size, coupled with the projected impact of increased hunting pressure and habitat conversion. Protection of Lomami National Park, within which most of the C. congoensis range occurs, and engagement of local communities in not hunting the species are the most important actions needed to ensure the conservation of C. congoensis.

An illustration of Colobus congoensis, whose common name is the local vernacular name, “likweli.”

Illustration: Kimio Honda

Systematics 

Family Cercopithecidae Gray, 1821

Subfamily Colobinae Blyth, 1863

Subtribe Colobina Blyth, 1863

Genus Colobus Illiger, 1811

Colobus congoensis and C. satanas in life.
(A & B) Colobus congoensis, Lomami National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo.
(C & D) C. satanas, Lope National Park, Gabon.

Photo credits:(A) Daniel Rosengren, (B) Bravo Bofenda, (C) Martin Royele/Royele Safaris, (D) Barna Takats. Photos used with permission.

Colobus congoensis J. Hart, Amboko, Arenson, Horton, Coates, Kapale, Koko, T. Hart, Gilbert, Sargis, and Detwiler, sp. nov.  

 

Etymology: The nominal congoensis refers to the species range limited to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Likweli, the vernacular name given to the species by communities bordering its range, is the recommended common name.

Diagnosis and Description: A small, long-tailed Colobus monkey that exhibits little sexual dimorphism in overall pelage coloration. The pelage of the limbs and torso is black. Hair length is longest on the upper shoulders and back (Color 89 in [54]), producing a sheen in some lighting and a cape-like pelt in some individuals. Body hairs are relatively short (~9–12.5 cm long in the male; ~ 6–8 cm long in females at mid-dorsum). The tail is largely black. Older individuals may show gray hairs (Glaucous Colors 79–80 in [54]) along the caudal dorsum and the tail, as seen in YPM MAM 17308, which also exhibits heavily worn dentition in the associated cranium, indicating an advanced age for this individual (Text A and Fig B in S4 File). The single male examined had a small, black terminal tail tuft in the fresh specimen, not seen on the two females. The head in both sexes is framed by long black hairs (~4–6 cm) on the forehead and sides of the face. The dark glabrous face is marked in both males and females by ...

  

John A. Hart, Junior D. Amboko, Julia L. Arenson, Emma R. Horton, Kathryn F. Coates, Jean-Pierre I. Kapale, Mardoché B. Koko, Terese B. Hart, Christopher C. Gilbert, Eric J. Sargis and Kate M. Detwiler. 2026. Likweli: A remarkable New Species of Colobus Monkey from the Lomami National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. PLoS One. 21(7): e0349857. DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0349857 [July 15, 2026]

[PaleoMammalogy • 2026] Masripithecus moghraensis • An Early Miocene Ape from the Biogeographic Crossroads of African and Eurasian Hominoidea

Masripithecus moghraensis

Al-Ashqar, Seiffert, El-Sayed, Salem, Gohar, El-Saka, Amin & Sallam, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1126/science.adz4102

nhm.org

Illustration by Mauricio Antón

Abstract

The Early Miocene fossil record documenting hominoid evolution has long been restricted primarily to sites in East Africa, whereas contemporaneous North African sites have only yielded remains of cercopithecoid monkeys. Here, we describe a fossil ape from North Africa, a new genus (Masripithecus) from the Early Miocene (~17 million to 18 million years) of northern Egypt, on the basis of mandibular remains. A combined molecular-morphological Bayesian tip-dating analysis positions Masripithecus closer to crown hominoids than coeval fossil apes from East Africa, thereby filling a phylogenetic and biogeographic gap in the evolution of stem hominoids. This evidence suggests that crown Hominoidea might have originated during the Early Miocene in the underexplored northeastern part of Afro-Arabia, rather than in eastern Africa or Eurasia.

 

Masripithecus moghraensis

Illustration of Masripithecus moghraensis by Mauricio Antón

Masripithecus moghraensis and the dispersal of crown hominoids in the Miocene. The map highlights Wadi Moghra, Egypt (star), which is the discovery site of Masripithecus—the first definitive North African ape—alongside key Miocene hominoid localities (see table S1) across Afro-Arabia and Eurasia. Arrows indicate inferred dispersal routes based on the phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses presented here. The inset phylogeny places Masripithecus as the closest sampled sister taxon of crown Hominoidea. At lower left, a life reconstruction of Masripithecus based on the Masripithecus mandible combined with the facial morphology of the middle Miocene hominoid Pierolapithecus. Illustration by Mauricio Antón

 

SHOROUQ F. AL-ASHQAR, ERIK R. SEIFFERT, SANAA EL-SAYED, BELAL S. SALEM, ABDULLAH S. GOHAR, HOSSAM EL-SAKA, MOHAMED AMIN, AND HESHAM M. SALLAM. 2026. An Early Miocene Ape from the Biogeographic Crossroads of African and Eurasian Hominoidea. SCIENCE. 391(6792); 1383-1386. DOI: doi.org/10.1126/science.adz4102 [26 Mar 2026]

https://nhm.org/stories/meet-masripithecus-newly-described-ancient-ape-fills-gap-evolutionary-history-primates

 facebook.com/TheLeakeyFoundation/posts/1414457444059470

Editor’s summary: The vast majority of early hominoid fossil hunting has occurred in East Africa, where a trove of early fossils and lineages have been found. Other regions in Africa have been less explored for various reasons, inspiring the question of whether a focus on East Africa has shaped opinions about where early hominoid evolution occurred. Al-Ashqar et al. now describe a Miocene ape from Egypt with crown hominoid affinities suggesting both that this lineage diverged before entering Eurasia and that a focus on one African region may have shaped our ideas about where hominoids first emerged (see the Perspective by Alba and Arias-Martorell). —Sacha Vignieri

[PaleoMammalogy • 2024] Buronius manfredschmidi • A New small hominid (Primates: Hominidae) from the early late Miocene of Hammerschmiede (Bavaria, Germany)

 

Buronius manfredschmidi  

 Böhme, Begun,Holmes, Lechner & Ferreira, 2024

 

 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301002

Abstract

The known diversity of European middle and late Miocene hominids has increased significantly during the last decades. Most of these great apes were frugivores in the broadest sense, ranging from soft fruit frugivores most like chimpanzees to hard/tough object feeders like orangutans, varying in size from larger than siamangs (over 17 kg) to larger than most chimpanzees (~60–70 kg). In contrast to the frequent sympatry of hominoids in the early-to-middle Miocene of Africa, in no European Miocene locality more than one hominid taxon has been identified. Here we describe the first case of hominid sympatry in Europe from the 11.62 Ma old Hammerschmiede HAM 5 level, best known from its excellent record of Danuvius guggenmosi. The new fossils are consistent in size with larger pliopithecoids but differ morphologically from any pliopithecoid and from Danuvius. They are also distinguished from early and middle Miocene apes, share affinities with late Miocene apes, and represent a small hitherto unknown late Miocene ape Buronius manfredschmidi. With an estimated body mass of about 10 kg it represents the smallest known hominid taxon. The relative enamel thickness of Buronius is thin and contrasts with Danuvius, whose enamel is twice as thick. The differences between Buronius and Danuvius in tooth and patellar morphology, enamel thickness and body mass are indicative of differing adaptations in each, permitting resource partitioning, in which Buronius was a more folivorous climber.

Buronius manfredschmidi nov. gen. et sp. photographs.
Upper panel: holotype left upper M2 (GPIT/MA/13005), A–occlusal, B–buccal, C–lingual, D–mesial, E–distal.
 Lower panel: paratype left lower P4 (GPIT/MA/13004), F–occlusal, G–buccal, H–lingual, I–mesial, J–distal. Scale bars equal 10 mm.

These 3D prints of the two molars are magnified by a factor of ten. The enamel of the likely Buronius manfredschmidi tooth (left) is very thin, indicating it was an herbivore. The thick enamel of the likely Danuvius guggenmosi tooth (right) suggests it was an omnivore.

Berthold Steinhilber / University of Tübingen

Systematic paleontology

Order Primates Linnaeus, 1758

Infraorder Catarrhini Geoffroy, 1812

Family Hominidae Gray 1825

Buronius manfredschmidi nov. gen. et sp.

Holotype: GPIT/MA/13005: An unworn left upper M2 germ, crown complete with no root formation

Derivation nominis: Genus name after Buron, the medieval name for the city of Kaufbeuren, which is located 5 km to the south of the Hammerschmiede clay-pit. The specific epithet is in honour of Dr. med. dent. Manfred Schmid (Marktoberdorf), a private collector who joined Sigulf Guggenmoos in collecting fossils from Hammerschmiede since the late 1970’s.

M. Böhme, D. R. Begun, A. C. Holmes, T. Lechner and G. Ferreira. 2024. Buronius manfredschmidi—A New small hominid from the early late Miocene of Hammerschmiede (Bavaria, Germany). PLoS ONE. 19(6): e0301002. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301002

 www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/do-these-fossilized-teeth-belong-to-the-worlds-smallest-great-ape-180984489

[PaleoMammalogy • 2023] Phylogeny and Paleobiogeography of the enigmatic North American Primate Ekgmowechashala illuminated by New Fossils from Nebraska (USA) and Guangxi (China)

 

Ekgmowechashala 

in Rust, Ni, Tietjen & Beard, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2023.103452

Artwork: Kristen Tietjen

Abstract

Ekgmowechashala is a poorly documented but very distinctive primate known only from the late early Oligocene (early Arikareean) of western North America. Because of its highly autapomorphous dentition and spatiotemporal isolation, the phylogenetic and biogeographic affinities of Ekgmowechashala have long been debated. Here, we describe the oldest known fossils of Ekgmowechashala from the Brown Siltstone Beds of the Brule Formation, White River Group of western Nebraska. We also describe a new ekgmowechashaline taxon [Palaeohodites naduensis gen. nov. et sp. nov.] from the Nadu Formation (late Eocene) in the Baise Basin of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that North American Ekgmowechashala and the new Chinese taxon are sister taxa that are nested within a radiation of southern Asian adapiforms that also includes Gatanthropus, Muangthanhinius, and Bugtilemur. The new Chinese ekgmowechashaline helps fill the considerable disparity in dental morphology between Ekgmowechashala and more primitive ekgmowechashalids known from southern Asia. Our study underscores the fundamental role of southern Asia as a refugium for multiple primate clades during the cooler and drier climatic regime that prevailed after the Eocene–Oligocene transition. The colonization of North America by Ekgmowechashala helps define the beginning of the Arikareean Land Mammal Age and corresponds to an example of the Lazarus effect, whereby a taxon (in this case, the order Primates) reappears suddenly in the fossil record after a lengthy hiatus.

Keywords: Ekgmowechashalidae, Adapiformes, Eocene–Oligocene transition, Paleobiogeography, Dental evolution, Lazarus effect

Order Primates Linnaeus, 1758

Semiorder Strepsirrhini Geoffroy, 1812

Infraorder Adapiformes Hoffstetter, 1977

Family Ekgmowechashalidae Szalay, 1976

Included genera Ekgmowechashala Macdonald, 1963; 

Bugtilemur Marivaux et al., 2001; 

Muangthanhinius Marivaux et al., 2006; 

Gatanthropus Ni et al., 2016; 

Palaeohodites, gen. nov.

Subfamily Bugtilemurinae, subfam. nov.

Type genus Bugtilemur Marivaux et al., 2001.

Included genera Bugtilemur Marivaux et al., 2001; 

Muangthanhinius Marivaux et al., 2006.

Diagnosis Differs from Ekgmowechashalinae in lacking highly crenulated enamel; lacking multiple neomorphic cusps and cuspules on upper and lower molars, including those identified as duplicated metaconule, duplicated protocone, ectostylids, and metastylids; and lacking large conules on upper molars.

Subfamily Ekgmowechashalinae Szalay, 1976

Included genera Ekgmowechashala Macdonald, 1963; 

Palaeohodites, gen. nov.

Genus Ekgmowechashala Macdonald, 1963

Type species Ekgmowechashala philotau Macdonald, 1963.

Ekgmowechashala zancanellai Samuels et al., 2015.

Ekgmowechashala philotau Macdonald, 1963

 

 Upper molar morphology in ekgmowechashaline primates, highlighting similarities and differences between Ekgmowechashala philotau from the Gering Formation, Nebraska, USA, and Palaeohodites naduensis from the Nadu Formation, Baise Basin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
 A, B) Ekgmowechashala philotau, isolated right M2 (KUVP 69859) in occlusal (A) and lingual (B) views.
C, D) Palaeohodites naduensis, right maxillary fragment preserving M2 (IVPP V 32350) in occlusal (C) and lingual (D) views.

Genus Palaeohodites gen. nov.

Etymology Combination of the Greek words palaios (ancient, old) and hodites (wanderer).

Type species Palaeohodites naduensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis Differs from Ekgmowechashala in having relatively longer and narrower P2–3, P2 roots more widely spaced, M1 with vestigial paraconid and large neomorphic cusp on central part of postvallid, M1–2 with hypoconid and hypoconulid clearly separate and cuspidate, and M2 without a continuous centrocrista and with closely connate lingual cusps. Differs from Gatanthropus and bugtilemurines in having heavily crenulated enamel, multiple neomorphic lower molar cusps, and duplicated protocone and inflated conules on M2.

Palaeohodites naduensis sp. nov.

Type locality Outcrop of the Nadu Formation located ∼1.5 km northeast of Quelin village, north-central Baise Basin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China (Fig. 2).

Age and distribution Late Eocene of the Baise Basin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.

Etymology Named for the Nadu Formation, strata of which have yielded all known specimens of this species.

Illustration of Ekgmowechashala, the last primate to inhabit North America before humans.

Artwork: Kristen Tietjen, scientific illustrator with the KU Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum.

 Kathleen Rust, Xijun Ni, Kristen Tietjen and K. Christopher Beard. 2023. Phylogeny and Paleobiogeography of the enigmatic North American Primate Ekgmowechashala illuminated by New Fossils from Nebraska (USA) and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China). Journal of Human Evolution. In Press, 103452. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2023.103452

  phys.org/news/2023-11-fossils-tale-primate-inhabit-north.html

[PaleoMammalogy • 2023] New Specimens of middle Eocene omomyines (Primates, Omomyoidea) from the Uinta Basin of Utah and the Tornillo Basin of Texas, with Clarification of the Generic Status of Ourayia, Mytonius, and Diablomomys

Artist's reconstruction of the two species described in the paper—Mytonius williamsae (L) and Diablomomys dalquesti (R)—in Big Bend country in West Texas 44 million years ago in the middle Eocene. The volcano on the skyline is a reminder of the active volcanism that was occurring in this part of Texas during the Eocene and Oligocene epochs.

Image: Randwulph. 

in Kirk, Dunn, Rodwell & Townsend, 2023.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2023.103425

 University of Texas at Austin UTexas.edu

 

Abstract

In the middle Eocene, multiple lineages of North American omomyoids independently evolved body masses greater than 500 g. Most of these large-bodied omomyoids are known from small sample sizes, which has contributed to a lack of consensus regarding their alpha taxonomy. Here, we describe new Uintan omomyine specimens from the Uinta Basin of Utah and the Tornillo Basin of Texas. These new samples expand the hypodigms of Diablomomys dalquesti, Mytonius hopsoni, and Ourayia uintensis, and favor the recognition of new species of Mytonius and Ourayia based on specimens from the Tornillo Basin. These samples support the recognition of Diablomomys as a valid genus distinct from Omomys, Ourayia as a valid genus distinct from Macrotarsius, and Mytonius as a valid genus distinct from Ourayia. Although Diablomomys and Omomys co-occur in the late Uintan of the Tornillo Basin, Ourayia and Mytonius are time-successive taxa with a wide distribution across multiple Laramide basins. The data presented here reinforce the conclusion that the Uintan was a time period in which omomyines diversified to include a large number of taxa with body masses above Kay's threshold and frugivorous–folivorous diets. These data also provide evidence that North American primate faunas exhibited a shifting pattern of regional endemism during the middle Eocene. By the early Uintan, primate faunas from Southern California were already quite distinct from primate faunas of the central Rocky Mountains or Trans-Pecos Texas. By the late Uintan, primate faunas in all three regions demonstrated greater provincialism, with Trans-Pecos Texas and Southern California both exhibiting a large number of endemic primate taxa and sharing only a single primate genus (Macrotarsius) in common. This increase in primate endemism across the Uintan may be tied to changes in paleohabitats associated with the larger trend toward decreasing temperatures from the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum to the Eocene/Oligocene transition.

 

Keywords: Primate, Haplorhine, Omomyid, Devil's Graveyard Formation, Laramide Basin, Uintan NALMA

Artist's reconstruction of the two species described in the paper—Mytonius williamsae (L) and Diablomomys dalquesti (R)—in Big Bend country in West Texas 44 million years ago in the middle Eocene. The volcano on the skyline is a reminder of the active volcanism that was occurring in this part of Texas during the Eocene and Oligocene epochs.

Image: Randwulph. Credit: University of Texas at Austin

 

E. Christopher Kirk, Rachel H. Dunn, Benjamin Rodwell and K. E. Beth Townsend. 2023. New Specimens of middle Eocene omomyines (Primates, Omomyoidea) from the Uinta Basin of Utah and the Tornillo Basin of Texas, with Clarification of the Generic Status of Ourayia, Mytonius, and Diablomomys. Journal of Human Evolution. 183, 103425. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2023.103425

 news.UTexas.edu/2023/09/21/2-new-species-of-ancient-primates-identified-that-resembled-lemurs/

https://phys.org/news/2023-09-species-ancient-primates-resembling-lemurs.html

[PaleoMammalogy • 2023] Ashaninkacebus simpsoni • An eosimiid Primate (Eosimiiformes) of South Asian Affinities in the Paleogene of Western Amazonia and the Origin of New World Monkeys

Ashaninkacebus simpsoni

Marivaux, Negri, Antoine, Stutz, Condamine, Kerber, Pujos, Santos, Alvim, Hsiou, Bissaro, Adami-Rodrigues & Ribeiro, 2023

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301338120

Abstract

Recent fossil discoveries in Western Amazonia revealed that two distinct anthropoid primate clades of African origin colonized South America near the Eocene/Oligocene transition (ca. 34 Ma). Here, we describe a diminutive fossil primate from Brazilian Amazonia and suggest that, surprisingly, a third clade of anthropoids was involved in the Paleogene colonization of South America by primates. This new taxon, Ashaninkacebus simpsoni gen. et sp. nov., has strong dental affinities with Asian African stem anthropoids: the Eosimiiformes. Morphology-based phylogenetic analyses of early Old World anthropoids and extinct and extant New World monkeys (platyrrhines) support relationships of both Ashaninkacebus and Amamria (late middle Eocene, North Africa) to the South Asian Eosimiidae. Afro-Arabia, then a mega island, played the role of a biogeographic stopover between South Asia and South America for anthropoid primates and hystricognathous rodents. The earliest primates from South America bear little adaptive resemblance to later Oligocene-early Miocene platyrrhine monkeys, and the scarcity of available paleontological data precludes elucidating firmly their affinities with or within Platyrrhini. Nonetheless, these data shed light on some of their life history traits, revealing a particularly small body size and a diet consisting primarily of insects and possibly fruit, which would have increased their chances of survival on a natural floating island during this extraordinary over-water trip to South America from Africa. Divergence-time estimates between Old and New World taxa indicate that the transatlantic dispersal(s) could source in the intense flooding events associated with the late middle Eocene climatic optimum (ca. 40.5 Ma) in Western Africa.

Keywords: Brazilian Amazonia; Platyrrhini; paleobiogeography; phylogeny; teeth.

 Ashaninkacebus simpsoni gen. et sp. nov.

Significance: 

Western Amazonia has recently revealed that two distinct anthropoid primate clades of African origin colonized South America near the Eocene/Oligocene transition (ca. 34 Ma). Here, we report a new fossil primate from Brazilian Amazonia pointing to a third clade involved in that colonization. Surprisingly, this taxon has strong affinities with eosimiid anthropoids of South Asian origin. These data highlight some of the life history traits (very-small-bodied size and insectivory/frugivory) that would have increased the chances of survival on a natural raft during this extraordinary transatlantic journey from Africa to South America. Estimated splits between New and Old World taxa indicate that the dispersal(s) coincides with the late middle Eocene climatic optimum (ca. 40.5 Ma), which generated intense flooding events.

Laurent Marivaux, Francisco R. Negri, Pierre-Olivier Antoine, Narla S Stutz, Fabien L. Condamine, Leonardo Kerber, François Pujos, Roberto Ventura Santos, André M. V. Alvim, Annie S. Hsiou, Marcos C. Bissaro Jr., Karen Adami-Rodrigues and Ana Maria Ribeiro. 2023. An eosimiid Primate of South Asian Affinities in the Paleogene of Western Amazonia and the Origin of New World Monkeys. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 120 (28) e2301338120. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301338120

[Mammalogy • 2023] Saguinus kulina • Taxonomic Review of Saguinus mystax (Spix, 1823) (Primates: Callitrichidae), and Description of A New Species

Saguinus mystax (Spix, 1823)

Spix’s Mustached Tamarin

Saguinus pileatus pileatus (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire & Deville, 1848)

Red-capped Mustached Tamarin

Saguinus pileatus pluto (Lönnberg, 1926)

White-rumped Mustached Tamarin

Saguinus kulina 

Lopes, Rohe, Bertuol, Polo, Lima, Valsecchi, Santos, Nash, Silva, Boubli, Farias & Hrbek, 2023

 Kulinas’ Tamarin 

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14526

 Illustrations by Stephen D. Nash.

Abstract 

Although the Amazon has the greatest diversity of primates, there are still taxonomic uncertainties for many taxa, such as the species of the Saguinus mystax group. The most geographically broadly distributed and phenotypically diverse species in this group is S. mystax, and its phenotypic diversity has been recognized as three subspecies—S. mystax mystax, S. mystax pileatus and S. mystax pluto—with non-overlapping geographic distributions. In this sense, we carried out an extensive field survey in their distribution areas and used a framework of taxonomic hypothesis testing of genomic data combined with an integrative taxonomic decision-making framework to carry out a taxonomic revision of S. mystax. Our tests supported the existence of three lineages/species. The first species corresponds to Saguinus mystax mystax from the left bank of the Juruá River, which was raised to the species level, and we also discovered and described animals from the Juruá–Tefé interfluve previously attributed to S. mystax mystax as a new species. The subspecies S. m. pileatus and S. m. pluto are recognized as a single species, under a new nomenclatural combination. However, given their phenotypic distinction and allopatric distribution, they potentially are a manifestation of an early stage of speciation, and therefore we maintain their subspecific designations.

Order Primates Linnaeus, 1758

Family Callitrichidae Thomas, 1903

Genus Saguinus Hoffmannsegg, 1807

Saguinus mystax (Spix, 1823)

Common name: Spix’s Mustached Tamarin

Distribution. Saguinus mystax occurs in Peru and Brazil (Fig. 2).

Saguinus pileatus pileatus (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire & Deville, 1848) comb. nov. 

Common name: Red-capped Mustached Tamarin

Saguinus pileatus pluto (Lönnberg, 1926) comb. nov.

Common name: White-rumped Mustached Tamarin

 

Coat color pattern of Saguinus mystax and Saguinus sp. analyzed in this study.

 Illustrations by Stephen D. Nash.

Saguinus kulina sp. n. Lopes, Rohe, Bertuol, Polo, Lima, Valsecchi, Santos, Nash, Silva, Boubli, Farias & Hrbek, 2023.

Common name: Kulinas’ Tamarin (English), 

sauim-dos-kulinas (Portuguese), pishi (Kulina).

 

Diagnostic characters:  The new species is diagnosable from all other species of Saguinus by mantle and forelimbs light black brown subterminal band yellow, saddle, rump and hindlimbs light black with brown (Table 1; Figs. 3 and 4).

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition and honors the Kulina indigenous peoples of the Kumaru Indigenous Territory, the largest indigenous territory within Juruá–Tefé interfluve.

Geographic Distribution. Saguinus kulina sp. n. is endemic to the western Amazonia, occurring between the right bank of the Juruá River and the left bank of the Tefé River (Fig. 2).

Conclusions: 

We describe a new species of Saguinus from the Juruá–Tefé interfluve based on robust genomic evidence, pelage characters and geographic distribution. We also elevate Saguinus mystax to the species level, but we find no conclusive evidence for species level differentiation of Saguinus p. pileatus and Saguinus p. pluto. Finally, we emphasize that field surveys and scientific collection of specimens are essential for the continued advancement of knowledge of primate diversity specifically, and all Amazon biodiversity in general.

Gerson Paulino Lopes, Fábio Rohe​, Fabrício Bertuol, Erico Polo, Ivan Junqueira Lima, João Valsecchi, Tamily Carvalho Melo Santos, Stephen D. Nash, Maria Nazareth Ferreira da Silva, Jean P. Boubli, Izeni Pires Farias and Tomas Hrbek​.   2023. Taxonomic Review of Saguinus mystax (Spix, 1823) (Primates, Callitrichidae), and Description of A New Species. PeerJ. 11:e14526. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14526

   

[Mammalogy • 2023] Cheracebus aquinoi • A New Species of Titi Monkey, Genus Cheracebus Byrne et al., 2016 (Primates: Pitheciidae), from Peruvian Amazonia

Cheracebus aquinoi

 Rengifo, D'Elía, García, Charpentier & Cornejo, 2023

DOI: 10.3106/ms2022-0019 

Researchgate.net/publication/364328813

 twitter.com/GuillermoDElia

Abstract

The subfamily Callicebinae is composed of 35 recognized living species that are grouped into the genera, Callicebus, Plecturocebus, and Cheracebus. In this study we assess the taxonomic status of the population of Cheracebus from the Nanay-Tigre interfluvium in Peruvian Amazonia, based on morphological (cranial and pelage) and molecular (mitochondrial DNA) evidence. Following the integrated assessment of the evidence, we conclude that specimens from the Nanay-Tigre interfluvium comprise a distinct lineage at the species level. It is easily distinguished from the other species of the genus, including C. lucifer to which the new species was considered to belong so far, by, among other characters, overall Reddish-brown pelage; crown intense reddish brown; Cream-colored collar, like a bow tie, with a band that does not extend laterally. The description of a new species of Cheracebus is not unexpected since other new species of titi monkeys have been described in recent years and there are several candidate species awaiting validation of their distinction. As such, we anticipate that in the next few years several taxonomic changes will be proposed in order to reveal a classification that mirrors the real species diversity of the subfamily Callicebinae.

KEYWORDS: Aquino's titi monkey, Peru, Platyrrhini, taxonomy

   

 

Edgardo M. Rengifo, Guillermo D'Elía, Gabriel García, Elvis Charpentier and Fanny M. Cornejo. 2023. A New Species of Titi Monkey, Genus Cheracebus Byrne et al., 2016 (Primates: Pitheciidae), from Peruvian Amazonia. Mammal Study. 48(1); 1-16. DOI: 10.3106/ms2022-0019 

Researchgate.net/publication/364328813_A_new_species_of_Cheracebus_from_Peruvian_Amazonia

 twitter.com/GuillermoDElia/status/1580894556676988929

  es.mongabay.com/2022/11/mono-tocon-de-aquino-es-la-nueva-especie-descubierta-en-peru-entrevista

#Cheracebus aquinoi - nueva especie de mono tití. Con su nombre se homenajea al primatólogo Rolando Aquino. Trabajo liderado por @edgar_mrv . 🐒  

 #Pitheciidae #Platyrrhini #collectionsareessential

[Mammalogy • 2022] Macaca selai • A Distinct Phylogenetic Species (Primates: Cercopithecidae) that evolved from the Arunachal Macaque following Allopatric Speciation

Macaca selai

 Ghosh, Thakur, Singh, Dutta, Sharma, Chandra & Banerjee, 2022

 

 Sela Macaque  ||  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107513

Highlights

• Arunachal macaque showed ample genetic polymorphism, and evolved into two phylogenetic species.

• Allopatric speciation driven by the sela mountain pass.

• A new species, Macaca selai described based on phylogenetic species concept.

• Novel findings imperative for conservation planning and management of Arunachal macaque.

Abstract

Arunachal macaque (M. munzala) is an endangered and recently discovered cercopithecine primate from Western Arunachal Pradesh, India. On genetic analyses of Arunachal macaques, we observed spatially distributed substantial inter-species genetic divergence among the samples collected from Arunachal Pradesh. The results suggested that Arunachal macaque evolved into two phylogenetic species about 1.96 mya following allopatric speciation by means of Sela mountain pass in Arunachal Pradesh, India. We describe - Sela macaque (Macaca selai) as a new macaque species that interestingly exhibited high intra-specific genetic variation and also harbors at least two conservation units. Further, we report the past demographic trajectories and quantify genetic variation required for taxonomic clarification. The present study also identifies gap areas for undertaking surveys to document the relic and unknown trans-boundary populations of macaques through multinational, multi-lateral cross border collaboration.

 

Keywords: Arunachal macaque, Sela macaque, Eastern Himalayas, Sela mountain pass, Allopatric speciation, Taxonomic revision

Order Primates Linnaeus, 1758

Superfamily Cercopithecoidea Gray, 1821

Family Cercopithecidae Gray, 1821

Genus Macaca Lacépèpde, 1799

Macaca selai species novum

Etymology: The proposed specific name for the taxon is derived from a local tribal woman ‘Sela’. The ‘Sela pass’ named after her who supported Indian soldier during the attack and invasion by Chinese army in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. For giving respect to the brave local girl-Sela, we chose her name to the newly defined macaque species which also a phylogenetic divergent of Arunachal macaque.

Population demography and phylogenetic position of Arunachal macaque and Sela macaque.
 (a) Bayesian skyline plots showing the trend of effective population size (Ne) of Arunachal macaque and Sela macaque. T is generation time. M. munzala and West Kameng population of M. selai showed declining trend of effective population size since last 2000 years while Upper Subansiri pop of M. selai showed expansion in last 8000 years followed by very recent decline. Scale in years.
(b) Bayesian phylogenetic tree of ‘sinica’ group of macaques using mitochondrial d-loop sequences. Rhesus macaque (M. mulatta) was considered as an outgroup. Three groups, i.e., M. munzala from Tawang, Upper Subansiri and West Kameng populations of M. selai showed significant divergence in term of their origin. Node time given in million years.

Avijit Ghosh, Mukesh Thakur, Sujeet K. Singh, Ritam Dutta,Lalit K. Sharma, Kailash Chandra and Dhriti Banerjee. 2022. The Sela Macaque (Macaca selai) is A Distinct Phylogenetic Species that evolved from the Arunachal Macaque following Allopatric Speciation. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press, 107513. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107513