The New Monkey and Dr. Rob Wallace

Dr. Robert Wallace first discovered an unidentified titi monkey during wildlife surveys at a location on the edge on the Madidi protected area. Following further observations at additional sites, Wallace was convinced that the Madidi titi monkeys deserved more research attention. 

After filming, photographing and thoroughly describing the titi monkeys, he and his colleagues Humberto Gomez, Adam Felton and Annika Felton, submitted a manuscript proposing these titi monkeys as a new species to science. This manuscript has been accepted by taxonomic experts and is awaiting publication. As the discoverer of the new species, Dr. Wallace has the right to name it. However, together with his colleagues, he has decided to hold an auction to sell the rights to name the species. All proceeds from the monkey-naming auction will go to the non-profit foundation FUNDESNAP, which will use the funding to protect the monkeys’ habitat in Madidi.

What is a Titi Monkey?
The name titi monkey describes 30 distinct species, all of which are found in the Amazonian and Atlantic forests of South America. These primates weigh about 1 kg and live in small social groups, usually between two and six animals. Most medium-sized neotropical primates have a ‘safety in numbers’ policy to defend themselves against potential predators such as birds of prey, snakes and arboreal cats. However, titi monkeys prefer to adopt a more secretive lifestyle, typically inhabiting dense vegetation in the mid-level canopy of tropical forests, particularly liana and vine tangles. Although these primates are difficult to observe, they are often heard early in the morning calling their distinctive territorial songs.

The new species of titi monkey has a beautiful and distinctive golden crown and striking orange coloration in its throat and cheeks. It also has a white tip to the tail and its hands and feet are a rich burgundy. As with all other titi monkeys, this species is monogamous, with pairs apparently together for life. The constant stress of territorial battles against neighboring pairs of titi monkeys, as well as the need to remain vigilant to the many predators in the tropical forest, means that these primates spend a lot of time bonding and are extremely tactile partners. Male titi monkeys participate when it comes to parenthood, carrying infants almost the entire time until they become independent.

Click here to name the new species!

Who is Dr. Robert Wallace?
Together, Rob Wallace and his wife, Lilian Painter, coordinate WCS’s highly successful conservation program in northwest Bolivia, one of the most biodiverse regions of the planet. Since 1999, they have led an integrated conservation program across a complex of three protected areas (Madidi, Pilón Lajas and Apolobamba) and an indigenous territory that together span almost 50,000 km². Rob has trained Bolivian professionals who are now assuming important responsibilities in the national conservation community, and has advanced the state of knowledge about key wildlife species, including the identification of the new monkey species.
Lilian has led policy and outreach efforts that have resulted in the titling of the 3,255 km² Tacana indigenous territory and a participatory plan for the management of the Madidi protected area.

Click here to see a list of programs run by other WCS conservationists working in Latin America.