New monkey discovered

By David McKenzie, CNN

Updated 1531 GMT (2331 HKT) September 13, 2012

The Lesula, or Cercopithecus lomamiensis, is the first new species of monkey found in 28 years.
Photos: New monkey unveiled to the world
New monkey unveiled to the world – The Lesula, or Cercopithecus lomamiensis, is the first new species of monkey found in 28 years.
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Georgette, the daughter of a local school director in Opala, DR Congo, with her pet Lesula -- the find that led biologists to identify the new species.
Photos: New monkey unveiled to the world
New monkey unveiled to the world – Georgette, the daughter of a local school director in Opala, DR Congo, with her pet Lesula -- the find that led biologists to identify the new species.
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Initially scientists were not sure if the adult male Owl Face on the left and the Lesula on the right were the same species.
Photos: New monkey unveiled to the world
New monkey unveiled to the world – Initially scientists were not sure if the adult male Owl Face on the left and the Lesula on the right were the same species.
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The differences in the skulls of the Owl-Faced monkey (right) and the Lesula (left). The most easily observable differences illustrated by the skulls and the plot below are that the lesula has larger eyes, a narrower distance between the orbits, and a more flexed back of the cranium.
Photos: New monkey unveiled to the world
New monkey unveiled to the world – The differences in the skulls of the Owl-Faced monkey (right) and the Lesula (left). The most easily observable differences illustrated by the skulls and the plot below are that the lesula has larger eyes, a narrower distance between the orbits, and a more flexed back of the cranium.
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Georgette's monkey was well-known to local hunters but she lives in a part of DR Congo that is among the least biologically explored forests.
Photos: New monkey unveiled to the world
New monkey unveiled to the world – Georgette's monkey was well-known to local hunters but she lives in a part of DR Congo that is among the least biologically explored forests.
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An illustration of the new Lesula monkey. Biologists have traditionally drawn new finds.
Photos: New monkey unveiled to the world
New monkey unveiled to the world – An illustration of the new Lesula monkey. Biologists have traditionally drawn new finds.
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Story highlights

  • New monkey discovery is only second such find in 28 years
  • Lesula, or Cercopithecus Lomamiensi, lives in remote forests of DR Congo
  • The find began with luck when a field team saw a strange monkey in a remote town
  • It took three years to confirm the monkey was actually a new species
Scientists are claiming they have discovered a new species of monkey living in the remote forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo -- an animal well-known to local hunters but until now, unknown to the outside world.
In a paper published Wednesday in the open-access journal Plos One, the scientists describe the ne