A new species of African macaque has been discovered in the tropical forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), named Colobus congoensis. This primate is the fifth new macaque species identified in Africa in the last 75 years, according to a study reported by the University of Florida (FAU) in the United States.
The new species was hidden in a remote area between the Lomami and Congo rivers, in the East-Central part of the DRC. Despite decades of scientific research in Central Africa, this species had not been previously registered. However, an article published in PLOS One indicates that it may be threatened due to its limited geographical distribution, habitat loss, and hunting pressure.
C. congoensis weighs about seven kilograms. It is distinguished by glossy black fur, 'shoulder patches resembling a mantle,' a long, wavy tail, white rump markings, and a 'bright orange-cream patch around the mouth and nose,' giving it a 'striking mask-like appearance different from any other known macaque of the genus Colobus.' Local communities call it 'Likweli' or 'kasaba nkoni' (branch provocateur), noting that it is a shy and rarely seen primate.
According to FAU, some researchers first noticed this primate in 2008 and took a partially obscured photograph. Only 10 years later, when they found the animal again and could obtain a clearer image, was the decision made for deeper study. Between 2018 and 2022, 114 sightings were recorded over an area of only 1,700 square kilometers, which is 'unusually low for macaques of the genus Colobus.'
Scientists conducted genetic, anatomical, and acoustic analysis and confirmed that the macaque represents a separate evolutionary lineage that diverged from its closest known relative, Colobus satanas, approximately 4–5 million years ago. As noted by Kate Detweiler, an associate professor of biological sciences at FAU, this is 'one of the oldest evolutionary splits known in the Colobus line.'
Junior Amboko, a graduate student at the same university and a National Geographic researcher, called the discovery 'exciting and deeply personal,' emphasizing the 'exceptional biodiversity' of his homeland and 'how much more needs to be documented.' He noted that it was an honor to name the species 'Colobus congoensis,' recognizing the outstanding natural heritage of the Congo Basin and noting that it is the first primate named after the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The discovery of C. congoensis also highlights the scientific importance of the Lomami National Park (where most of its known habitat is located) and its buffer zone in the DRC. Another primate was also discovered in this park in 2012 by members of the same research team—the 'lesula' (Cercopithecus lomamiensis).
John Hart, a conservation biologist and the lead author of the paper who headed the team that discovered the 'lesula,' emphasizes that 'the Congo Basin remains one of the last great frontiers of the world for mammal discoveries.' He adds that entirely new species continue to be discovered even in scientifically studied regions, underscoring the amount of biodiversity yet to be registered in the Central Congo Basin, and how this region continues to change our understanding of primate evolution and conservation.
Concurrently with including C. congoensis in the scientific registry, scientists propose listing this species on the IUCN Red List as endangered, given the risks it faces. Kate Detweiler concludes: 'The discovery of Colobus congoensis is a scientific triumph, but also a sobering reminder that some of the rarest creatures on Earth may disappear before the world even knows about them.'
The international team included scientists from Yale and New York universities in the United States, Lomami National Park, and the Zoological Society of Frankfurt in Germany.
Mahseer, known as the 'river tiger,' is an iconic freshwater species of significant ecological and cultural importance across Asia. Despite high reverence for these giant fish, they face a serious crisis. A new study conducted in three Indian states—Karnataka, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh—revealed that while most participants want to conserve Mahseer, only a few believe they have the real capacity to do so.
Researchers from the University of Transdisciplinary Health and Technology Sciences (TDU) and the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) found that the biggest obstacle to the survival of these species is the gap between the desire to help and the ability to take action. These species are approaching biological and social extinction.
The work focused on five specific Mahseer species: Tor khudree (Deccan Mahseer), Tor putitora (Golden Mahseer), Tor remadevii (Humped/Orange-spotted Mahseer), Tor mosal (Mosal Mahseer), and Neolissochilus hexagonolepis (Chocolate Mahseer). The research was carried out in three states known for Mahseer populations: Karnataka (Cauvery River basin), Assam (Brahmaputra system), and Uttar Pradesh (Himalayan mountain rivers).
The team conducted about 160 interviews and several focus groups with various groups of people, including local fishermen, tribal leaders, government officials, and scientists. Reflective thematic analysis was used to analyze the conversations. To understand the reasons for difficulties in conservation efforts, researchers integrated three conceptual frameworks: Conservation Planning Frameworks (CPF), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and Social Values (SV).
CPF serves as the structural basis of the study, offering a phased approach to conservation management through three stages: situation assessment, decision-making, and implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation. It focuses on 'what' and 'how' groups and institutions carry out conservation activities. TPB posits that for a person to perform an action, they must meet three conditions: have a positive attitude toward the goal, feel social pressure to act, and, most importantly, feel actual behavioral control, which includes access to time, resources, favorable conditions, and decision-making autonomy.
The Social Values framework defines the deeper normative foundations of human decisions regarding nature. The study showed that traditional conservation methods fail because they ignore the human factor. Surveys revealed a significant gap: local communities living near the rivers and best understanding the fish often feel alienated from centralized governance. Decisions were made in distant government offices without considering the opinion of those affected, leading to feelings of helplessness and sometimes open conflict between groups.
Currently, conservation efforts often concentrate solely on the biological needs of the organism, such as water quality, habitat, or breeding habits, using only CPF and ignoring the people who share this environment. By integrating TPB and the analysis of Social Values with CPF, researchers were able to reframe the problem more effectively. Instead of simply asking about people's sympathy for Mahseer, they studied the deeply rooted moral obligations and cultural identities associated with this fish. This approach allowed them to identify systemic issues, such as the lack of inter-departmental coordination, which prevented various government agencies from coordinating their actions.
Scientists argue that to save Mahseer, India must transition to a co-management model. This means moving away from a system where the government simply gives orders to a system where local and tribal communities are granted legal authority and resources to manage their own river sections. This bottom-up approach will transform local residents from passive observers into active protectors of the ecosystem. Furthermore, the study recommends changing communication, suggesting that conservation messages should be based on the local culture and traditions of each region, rather than using general scientific terminology that may not resonate with people on the ground.
Moreover, the integrated approach used in this study offers a more effective conservation tool than traditional methods. It provides a detailed understanding of the personal motives, cultural identities, and moral obligations behind individual behavior. Such a holistic structure can enable the development of technically sound interventions that are socially acceptable, promote coexistence between humans and wildlife, and are more likely to catalyze sustainable behavioral change.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS), comprising over fifty countries and territories, face unique socio-economic and environmental challenges that make them extremely vulnerable to climate change. Consequently, the report calls for increased support to enhance these nations' resilience to climate change.
According to the Lancet Countdown 2025 report on 'Health and Climate Change in Small Island Developing States,' the population of these countries continues to bear an 'disproportionate and growing health burden due to climate change.'
Data from the report shows that in 2024, the average number of hours of moderate risk of heat stress during light outdoor activities reached a record high of 3000 hours. Furthermore, in the same year, approximately 4.4 billion working hours could be lost due to intense heat, which is the highest figure since monitoring began in 1990.
Climate change also increases the risk of diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya, and other mosquito-borne illnesses. Prolonged drought has left over 2.7 million people in a state of moderate or severe food insecurity. In the oceans, warming continues to threaten fisheries, livelihoods, and marine food security across all island nations.
The report warns that adaptation efforts remain limited due to insufficient institutional capacity, fragmented climate financing, and a lack of investment in healthcare. Moreover, only 10 out of 58 SIDS have national plans dedicated to climate adaptation and health. Despite the difficulties, the report notes positive shifts: the capacity to use photovoltaic energy has more than doubled since 2020, and early warning systems are improving.
Researchers from NASA and the University of Lancaster have discovered evidence indicating that the impacts of the most severe solar storms have been underestimated. A study published in the journal Nature this Wednesday (15) raises questions about the existence of a maximum limit to the Earth's magnetic field response.
The investigation focused on analyzing data from electric currents in the upper atmosphere and solar winds to determine how the planet reacts to major space events. The scientists concluded that any observed stabilization in the effects could be a statistical artifact of the measurements, rather than a sign of natural protection against extreme phenomena.
The work was conducted by Nithin Sivadas, a researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, in collaboration with Maria Walach from the University of Lancaster. The analysis points out that unusual solar storms have the potential to generate more intense consequences for navigation systems, satellites, and communications.
For many years, the scientific community believed that the influence of solar storms would have a saturation point. This belief was based on the observation that certain atmospheric electric currents seemed to cease increasing even when the solar wind became stronger. The new study proposes that this apparent saturation might be a result of the data collection methodology.
Much of the measurements of extreme events comes from probes located at Lagrange point 1, an area about 1.6 million kilometers from Earth toward the Sun. The researchers argue that the disparity between the strength of the solar wind measured at this point and what actually reaches the planet can distort the data. By aggregating these data in large volumes, more extreme values end up appearing less intense, creating the illusion of a limit to the Earth's response.
To test this hypothesis, the team examined over one million records of solar wind captured by NASA spacecraft in orbit near Earth. The findings demonstrated a direct correlation between the intensity of the solar wind and the increase in electric currents in the upper layer of the atmosphere. According to the authors, this conclusion fundamentally changes how risk scenarios for extreme space events should be assessed.
If there is no maximum limit to the planetary response, very powerful solar storms could cause technological damage greater than currently predicted. Geomagnetic storms are temporary variations in the magnetic field and plasma around the Earth. In severe cases, they can affect satellites, disrupt GPS and communication signals, cause failures in power grids, and increase radiation exposure for pilots and astronauts.
Despite being rare events, the researchers emphasize that the low frequency of these occurrences makes accurate large-scale predictions difficult. The team concludes that only new records will allow for a clearer understanding of Earth's behavior in the face of an exceptional solar storm.
