Rhinopithecus strykeriis the name of anew asian primatefound by an international team of primatologists inMyanmar. As published by its discoverers in the magazineAmerican Journal of PrimatologyIts fur is black with the exception of some white spots on the ears and chin. The tail is relatively long, approximately equivalent to 140% of its body size. In addition, the animal has theprominent lips, the snub nose andnostrils wide and upturned. This strange shape makes,when it rains, water gets into your nose, causing you to sneeze. To avoid this, these monkeys spend rainy days sitting with their heads between their knees.
The species has been namedRhinopithecus strykeriin honor of Jon Stryker, the president and founder of the Arcus Foundation who is collaborating on the research project. However, in local dialects it is known as “mey nwoah”, which means “monkey with the face turned upwards”. The range of these primates is believed to be around270 square kilometers on the banks of the Maw River, in the state of Kachin, northeast of Myanmar. There they are isolated, by two natural barriers, the Mekong and Salween rivers, which would explain that until now they were not known to science, their discoverers indicated.
It is estimated that currently existsa population of approximately 260 to 330 individuals. Although no specimen has yet been photographed, scientists have digitally reconstructed its image based on the descriptions made.
