Sneezing Monkey: Scientists discover a brand new species of primate

CLEVELAND - 27 October 2010 - A team of Burmese and international primatologists have discovered a new species of monkey in Northern Myanmar (formerly Burma). The research reveals how Rhinopithecus strykeri, a previously undescribed species of snub-nosed monkey, has an upturned nose that causes it to sneeze when it rains.

Field reserach was led by Ngwe Lwin from the Myanmar Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA) and supported by an international team of primatologists from Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and the People Resources and Conservation Foundation (PRFC). The team discovered the new species, also called the Myanmar snub-nosed monkey, as part of the nationwide Myanmar Primate Conservation Program in early 2010. Hunters reported the presence of a monkey species with prominent lips and wide upturned nostrils, which did not fit the description of any primate currently known from the area.

Sightings were reported from the eastern Himalayas to the north-eastern Kachin state leading the team to conduct further field surveys resulting in the discovery of a small population of the new species that display characteristics unlike any other snub-nosed species previously described. Thomas Geissmann, who is leading the taxonomic description, describes the monkey as having almost entirely blackish fur with white fur only on ear tufts and chin beard. It also has a relatively long tail, approximately 140 per cent of its body size. The species has been named ‘Rhinopithecus strykeri’ in honour of Jon Stryker, President and Founder of the Arcus Foundation who supported the project. However, in local dialects it is called mey nwoah, ‘monkey with an upturned face.’

While the species is new to science the local people know it well and claim that it is very easy to find when it is raining because the monkeys often get rainwater in their upturned noses causing them to sneeze. To avoid this they spend rainy days sitting with their heads tucked between their knees.

Frank Momberg, FFI’s Regional Programme Development Coordinator, Asia Pacific, who interviewed local hunters during the field surveys suggests that the species is limited to the Maw River area. The distribution area is believed to be 270 km2 with an approximate population of 260-330 individuals. This means it would be globally classified as Critically Endangered by IUCN citeria for the level of threat of extinction. - Fauna & Flora International