New in African Primates 20, Thomas M. Butynski and Yvonne A. de Jong
The spelling of the eastern patas monkey’s subspecific name has long been inconsistent, with both ‘pyrronotus’ and ‘pyrrhonotus’ in use, and with varying authorities and years cited. In this Brief Communication, we trace the confusion back to the original works by Hemprich & Ehrenberg. The name first appeared as Cercopithecus pyrronotus in 1829. The same authors then used ‘pyrrhonotus’, meaning ‘red back’, in 1833. Applying Articles 32 and 33 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, we conclude that the valid name, authority, and year for the eastern patas monkey is Erythrocebus patas pyrrhonotus (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1829).
Northern Kenya is the most poorly known region in Eastern Africa as concerns the taxonomy, distribution, abundance, threats, and conservation status of its larger mammals. Nonetheless, this region is known to hold a high number of threatened species and subspecies. Among the larger mammals, 19 species of antelope are known to occur. During November 2025 to July 2026, we completed ‘Phase Three’ of the ‘Horn of Africa Antelope Survey’. Phase Three consisted of two field trips in northwestern Kenya covering as much of the land area as possible in the region west of Lake Turkana and Suguta Valley (i.e., west of the Eastern (Gregory) Rift Valley), north of Kainuk, east of the Uganda border, and south of the Elemi Triangle. In addition, we conducted two shorter surveys, one in far western Laikipia County (4 days) and one in the vicinity of the Merti Plateau (7 days), central Kenya. Diurnal surveys, nocturnal surveys, and camera trap surveys were conducted by two researchers (total of 47 field days; total distance driven 5,883 km).
During our second field survey of Phase 3 of the Horn of Africa Antelope Survey (April – May 2026) in Turkana County, northwest Kenya, we captured some interesting camera trap videos of a wide range of mammal species. Please find a selection (compressed) below.
We thank the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP) for their financial support.
Lolldaiga Hills Ranch, a stunning 220 km² cattle ranch and wildlife conservancy on the Laikipia Plateau of central Kenya, is located about 20 km northwest of Mount Kenya. This ranch supports an exceptional biodiversity, including at least 111 mammal species and 430 bird species, some of which are threatened with extinction.
During 2016-2019 we (Tom Butynski and Yvonne de Jong) led the Lolldaiga Hills Research Programme. Please find the maps, species lists, blogs, reports, publications, and newsletters produced by the Lolldaiga Hills Research Programme during 2016-2019 at: www.wildsolutions.nl/lolldaiga
News items by Brian Finch, Newsletter 18 (January-February 2018)
