Mysterious New Monkey Discovered in Borneo: A Rare Hybrid of Two Distant Primate Species
Scientists have identified a unique monkey on Borneo, believed to be a rare hybrid between two distantly related species competing for forest territory.
In the wild, different primate species rarely interbreed, but a surprising discovery on the island of Borneo challenges this norm.
Researchers in Malaysia's Sabah region have found an enigmatic monkey thought to be a rare hybrid between two distinct species that usually compete for the same forest habitat.
While hybrids do occur in nature, this case is exceptional because the animal is a descendant of two very distantly related primates: the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) and the silvered langur (Trachypithecus cristatus).
Adult proboscis monkeys are notable for their elongated noses and pinkish faces, growing up to 76 cm tall and weighing as much as 24 kg. In contrast, silvered langurs have shorter, flatter black noses and are smaller, reaching about 56 cm and weighing around 6.6 kg. Scientists suspect that the larger proboscis males may be outcompeting the smaller silvered langur males for territory.
Due to restrictions at the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah, where the hybrid was discovered, researchers have been unable to study the new monkey species extensively. Their conclusions so far are based primarily on photographs that have circulated on social media since 2017.
Initially photographed as a juvenile, recent images show the monkey has matured and may even have offspring of its own.
Scientists are eager to confirm the hybrid's genetic makeup in upcoming studies once pandemic-related access limitations to the sanctuary are lifted.
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