A new species of monkey with striking orange lips and a deep, resonant call has been documented in the rainforests of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Described by a US-led team in PLOS ONE, the primate—known locally as Likoli and formally as Colobus congolensis—is only the fifth new African monkey identified in 75 years. Genetic analysis indicates its lineage diverged from related colobus monkeys 4–5 million years ago. Its known range spans roughly 1,700 square kilometres within Lomami National Park, and researchers have proposed an endangered classification, citing habitat loss and hunting pressure. The discovery, based on 114 sightings between 2018 and 2022 alongside anatomical and genetic evidence, expands the documented diversity of African primates and underscores how large tracts of the Congo Basin remain biologically unexplored.

Separately, South African geologists have identified a chemical signature in the mantle that could guide the search for the world’s largest diamonds. Studying olivine grains in kimberlite rocks that host CLIPPIR diamonds—a rare class including the 3,106-carat Cullinan—the team found that iron-rich mantle domains are strongly associated with these superdeep gems, which form below 400 kilometres. The finding, published this week, offers a practical exploration tool: kimberlites carrying abundant iron-rich olivine have a higher probability of containing CLIPPIR diamonds. The work also strengthens the link between these diamonds and subducted oceanic crust, tracing a recycling pathway that extends from the surface to the mantle transition zone.

In astronomy, an international team using ground-based radio telescopes has detected erythrulose, a simple sugar, in the molecular cloud G+0.693-0.027 near the centre of the Milky Way. This is the first confirmed saccharide in the interstellar medium, building on the earlier discovery of the related molecule glycolaldehyde. The presence of such a prebiotic molecule in a cold, dust-shrouded environment supports models in which complex organic compounds can form on icy grains and later be delivered to young planets. The observation, made at temperatures around 20–30 kelvin, suggests that the chemical precursors for life may be more widespread than previously assumed.

On the resource front, Australian-listed explorers reported drill results that test geological models in real time. White Cliff Minerals extended copper mineralisation at its Rae project in Nunavut, Canada, with a step-out hole returning 41.5 metres at 0.87% copper, including 9.14 metres at 3.06% copper, more than 600 metres from the original discovery. Gateway Mining launched a three-rig reverse-circulation campaign at its Yandal gold project in Western Australia, targeting structures beneath aircore hits such as 64 metres at 1.2 grams per tonne gold. Both programmes aim to define the scale of mineralised systems, with pending assays and further drilling results expected in the coming weeks.