Two new Amazon howler monkey species found after 84 years; camera traps capture bridge crossing

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 diversityTo 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 team was also able to map their geographical distribution and establish how the newly identified species relate to other howler monkeys.The discovery is particularly significant because the last howler monkey species was described 84 years ago.