German primatologists have discovered a rare species of ape in the tropical forests between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia , recognizable by its song. It is a crested gibbon , one of the most endangered primates in the world, which they have named Nomascus annamensis .
"An analysis of the frequency and tempo of their calls, together with the genetic study, have allowed us to confirm that it is a new species," explained Christian Roos, researcher at the German Primate Center (DPZ) and co-author of the discovery. published in the Vietnamese Journal of Primatology . The male has black fur that appears silver in sunlight, his chest is brown, and his cheeks are golden. The female's hair is beige. The song they "sing" probably serves to defend their territory, and could even be a precursor to music, the researchers suggest.
Many species of gibbons are currently threatened due to illegal hunting . These apes "are captured to serve as pets, as food, or to obtain traditional medicines," explains Roos. That has reduced the number of individuals in many species to just a hundred. It is not yet known how many specimens of the new species remain alive.
