New Subspecies of Saddlebacked Tamarin

A new monkey has been discovered in the remote wilds of Amazonas, a state located in the northwestern corner of Brazil. The monkey represents a new subspecies of saddlebacked tamarin and has been given the scientific name Saguinus fuscicollis mura. The newly discovered monkey is gray and dark brown with a mottled saddle patch on its back. It is a small primate, weighing just 213 grams (3/4 lb) and measuring 240 mm (9 in) in height with a 320 mm (12.6 in) tail.

"This newly described monkey shows that even today there are still major wildlife discoveries to be made. This discovery should serve as a wake-up call that there is still so much to learn from the world's wild places, yet humans continue to threaten these areas with destruction." ~ Fabio Röhe of the Wildlife Conservation Society, lead author of a paper that describes the new species.

Sadly, the new subspecies may be soon under threat by habitat destruction. Numerous planned developments may impact Saguinus fuscicollis mura's habitat. These developments include the construction of a major highway, a proposed gas pipeline, and several hydroelectric dams.

Refs: New monkey discovered in Brazil (Eurekalert)