Scientists have confirmed that a group of great apes discovered nearly 20 years ago is indeed a different species from all the other known great apes, according to a BBC news report. It's the first documented new ape species in more than 100 years.
First discovered in 1997 in remote forests of Sumatra, the Tapanuli orangutan (genus/species Pongo tapanuliensis) is distinctly different from Bornean and Sumatran orangutan species. DNA evidence indicates that it split from a common ancestor of the Sumatran orangutan about 700,000 years ago. In addition, its skull structure is different from either of the other two orangutan species, and it vocalizes differently. A research paper documenting the new species is published in the journal Current Biology.
Now for the bad news. There are only an estimated 800 individuals of this new species, meaning that it is in danger of extinction.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment