5 New Monkey Breeds Discovered in Amazonian Forests

Saki Species: 5 New Monkey Breeds Discovered in Amazonian Forests

Scientists have now identified 5 new species of the rare and elusive Saki monkeys in Amazonian forests. For many years, scientists were of the opinion that there are only 5 Saki species across the globe. The study has revealed the presence of 16 new species and 5 of these are previously unknown to scientists.

5 new species were found in 3 of the South American nations namely Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. Three of the new species discovered are endemic to Brazil while one is distinct to Peru. The 3 species were previously thought to be sub species while another three were once thought of as variants.

This is one of the most massive revisions through a study for the Neo-tropical primate genus in around more than half a century, according to the researchers who conducted the investigation. Dr. Laura K. Marsh who was the director and co-founder of the Global Conservation Institute conducted the study which involves over a decade of research. This involved an examination of different species in around 36 museums in over 17 nations spanning Japan, Europe, North as well as South America.

Marsh indicated that there were more species of Saki monkeys than previously thought based on her scientific observations. The discovery of these 5 new species is more than just a finding. Russel A Mittermeier of the Conservation International has been quoted as saying the discovery of the monkeys indicates that the tropical forest system is doing well. Pithecia mittermeieri is the name of one of the species which has been given its moniker in memory of Mittermeier. Mittermeier has also been quoted by the media as saying that this points to how little we know about the planet we live in.

Saki monkeys are found in the Amazon Basin and the Guiana Shield. These shy and retiring monkeys are elusive and hard to study. Their conservation status is currently being explored. These flying or acrobatic monkeys are most astounding and they can be traced with great difficulty.

As per the the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Conservation International, the sakis were named as follows: Cazuza's saki, Mittermeier's Tapajós saki, Isabel's saki, Pissinatti's bald-faced saki as well as Rylands' bald-faced saki.

The Sakis are primate and they weigh 8 pounds or 4 kilograms. They have very distinctive colorful facial hair and their coats are bushy and fluffy. They tend to jump from one tree-top to another when they are chased or distressed. Marsh has described them as "fluffy, kinda uglyish cats that run on the tops of trees."

Marsh and her team have discussed how the Saki monkeys made low calls or grunts. However, they tend to keep quiet when pestered. The juvenile Saki monkeys are of the same shade as the adult female. One reason why Saki monkeys are so tough to study is their tendency to fall silent when bullied and to remain elusive when hunted. This is an excellent survival mechanism. After all, silence is golden.