Research done by an Australian National University professor half a century ago has contributed to the discovery of a new primate named after Star Wars character Luke Skywalker.
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Chinese researchers have used Emeritus Professor Colin Groves' 1960s study on Hoolock gibbons to confirm there are three distinct species of the primate. Professor Groves was the first to detect there were two.
"There were certain proportional differences in the teeth and skulls in particular," he said of his early research.
"Externally there are quite clear differences in the markings as well, highlighted by the male's white pubic tassel."
Primatologist Peng-Fei Fan, leading studies into the Chinese population of Hoolock gibbons, noticed new differences between the animals that made him suspect there was a third species.
He reached out to Professor Groves who provided his original study data and helped confirm Dr Fan's suspicions.
"The female has much reduced white on the face and the male's white streaks above the brows are thinner with more space between them," Professor Groves said.
"DNA analysis later confirmed they were in fact a new species."
Dr Fan's team named the new species Hoolock tianxing, or the Skywalker Hoolock gibbon, because the Chinese characters of its scientific name mean "Heaven's movement" - and the scientists love Star Wars.
There are an estimated 200 living in China with more in Myanmar.
Actor Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars series, took to Twitter last week to express his pleasure at the naming of the animal.
"So proud of this! First the Pez dispenser, then the Underoos & U.S. postage stamp... now this! #GorillaMyDreams #SimianSkywalker #JungleJedi," he wrote.
The discovery was published in the American Journal of Primatology.
