The Discovery of New Animals Part 2
March 23rd 2007 09:25
Continuing on from yesterday, here are some other fantastic new species of mammals.
Kipunji
This African monkey was first discovered in 2005. At first it was thought to be a new species but tests run on a dead one found in 2006 confirmed it to be a whole new genus - making it quite unique and an amazing find. The closest relatives of the Kipunji are Baboons, but whereas Baboons are terrestrial monkeys, these reclusive creatures are firmly tree-dwelling. It's estimated there may be as few as 1000 of them, and their small numbers - along with their shy nature and remote habitat - is what has helped kept them a secret from science for all this time.
Mus Cypriacus
It has long been assumed that no further mammals will ever be discovered in Europe. Every square inch of Europe has been traversed, documented, lived in and fought over. So it was quite amazing when an entirely new species of mouse was discovered on the island of Cyprus in 2006. Virtually all endemic species of mammals on Mediterranean islands died out after they were settled by humanity and the common house mice they brought with them. Mus Cypriacus is the only rodent known to have survived such settlement.
Previously unknown Tree Kangaroos
Tim Flannery might be the 2007 Australian of the Year, but to me he'll always be best loved for his discovery of not one but two new species of Tree Kangaroo in Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya. The Dingiso is a mostly ground-dwelling Tree Kangaroo discovered by Flannery in 1987, and formerly confirmed as a new species in 1995. The local tribespeople have long known of the species, refusing to hunt it because they believe it to be sacred.
The second species, the Weimanke (or Golden-Mantled Tree Kangaroo), was discovered in 1990 after Flannery investigated stories from the locals about a Tree Kangaroo that had 'a white man's face', apparently unseen by the tribespeople since the 1930s.
Kipunji
This African monkey was first discovered in 2005. At first it was thought to be a new species but tests run on a dead one found in 2006 confirmed it to be a whole new genus - making it quite unique and an amazing find. The closest relatives of the Kipunji are Baboons, but whereas Baboons are terrestrial monkeys, these reclusive creatures are firmly tree-dwelling. It's estimated there may be as few as 1000 of them, and their small numbers - along with their shy nature and remote habitat - is what has helped kept them a secret from science for all this time.
Mus Cypriacus
It has long been assumed that no further mammals will ever be discovered in Europe. Every square inch of Europe has been traversed, documented, lived in and fought over. So it was quite amazing when an entirely new species of mouse was discovered on the island of Cyprus in 2006. Virtually all endemic species of mammals on Mediterranean islands died out after they were settled by humanity and the common house mice they brought with them. Mus Cypriacus is the only rodent known to have survived such settlement.
The Dingiso
Previously unknown Tree Kangaroos
Tim Flannery might be the 2007 Australian of the Year, but to me he'll always be best loved for his discovery of not one but two new species of Tree Kangaroo in Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya. The Dingiso is a mostly ground-dwelling Tree Kangaroo discovered by Flannery in 1987, and formerly confirmed as a new species in 1995. The local tribespeople have long known of the species, refusing to hunt it because they believe it to be sacred.
The Weimanke, or Golden-Mantled Tree Kangaroo. Note the pinkish face.
The second species, the Weimanke (or Golden-Mantled Tree Kangaroo), was discovered in 1990 after Flannery investigated stories from the locals about a Tree Kangaroo that had 'a white man's face', apparently unseen by the tribespeople since the 1930s.
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