New species of two-tongued, venomous primate discovered


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SALT LAKE CITY — Researchers have identified a fourth species classification of the teddy-bear like slow loris, which will help preservation efforts of the animal.

Scientists from the University of Missouri have identified another classification of the slow loris that reside on the Indonesian island of Borneo, the nycticebus kayan slow loris, distinguished by its body size and facial markings. The slow loris is now divided into four separate classes within the species.

The primate, which resembles a child's stuffed animal and has two tongues, is often sought after by the illegal pet trade industry to be sold in markets. Many of the nocturnal animals, which require a hard-to-meet diet of tree gums, specific insects and nectars, die in captivity, researchers said.

According to researchers, dividing the species into four distinct classes may pose a greater risk of extinction, but it may also help efforts to protect each group, as there are now four endangered or threatened species listed with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

"Four separate species are harder to protect than one, since each species needs to maintain its population numbers and have sufficient forest habitat," said lead author Rachel Munds, MU doctoral student in anthropology in the College of Arts and Science. "Unfortunately, in addition to habitat loss to deforestation, there is a booming black market demand for the animals. They are sold as pets, used as props for tourist photos or dismembered for use in traditional Asian medicines."

The slow loris has a venomous bite and when captured to sell as pets, handlers remove their teeth through which the venom is released. Their tears are used in Asian traditional medicines and the extraction methods are violent.

Because of the difficulty of breeding them, slow lorises are often taken into captivity from the wild. According to Munds, successful breeding of the primates in zoos is rare.

The slow loris is a popular animal on YouTube, where they are often seen being tickled or holding onto cutlery or small umbrellas. Researchers say the primate spends most of its time climbing in trees, hence its instinct to grab the props.

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Celeste Tholen Rosenlof

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