New species of primate discovered
Scientists working in Borneo have uncovered a new species of small nocturnal primate. It is believed to be a type of slow loris, closely related to bushbabies and lemurs.
An international team of researchers, led by Professor Anna Nekaris of Oxford Brookes University and Rachel Munds of the University of Missouri, surveyed slow lorises living in the forests of Borneo and the Philippines.
The research revealed there are actually four species of slow loris in the Philippines and Borneo, each with their own subtly different, but distinct, head markings.
Two previously known subspecies of slow loris have also been accorded full species status. The new species of slow loris, named Nycticebus kayan, has gone unrecognised until now - in part, due to its nocturnal lifestyle.
Despite their cute-looking appearance, this species is unique among primates; they are equipped with a toxic bite - secreting the toxin from glands in their elbows.
Slow lorises lick this toxin, and mix it with their saliva. They then use it when they bite, or to coat the fur of their offspring, possibly as a way to deter predators from attacking their young. The toxin is powerful enough to potentially cause fatal anaphylactic shock in people.
Scientists had to look hard to discover the differences between the new species, as animals that are active by night often rely less on visual clues, and can therefore appear more similar to one another.
They focused on studying the primates' facial markings, which take the appearance of a mask, with the eyes being covered by distinct dark patches and the heads by varying patterns.
"In Borneo in particular, from where three of the new species hail, this will mean that three new lorises will be added as threatened to some degree on the IUCN Red List of threatened species," said Prof Nekaris.
"With more than 40 per cent of the world's primates already threatened with extinction, this brings the toll even higher," she added.
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