Germain's langur
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Germain's langur (Trachypithecus germaini)[1] is an Old World monkey native to Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.[2][3] The monkey was previously included in Trachypithecus cristatus[2] and Trachypithecus villosus.[3]
Two subspecies were recognized:[2]
- Trachypithecus germaini germaini
- Trachypithecus germaini caudalis
Taxonomy and evolution
Germain's langur is part of the leaf monkey subfamily Colobinae.[4] Two subspecies of the Germain's langur are recognized: Trachypithecus germaini germaini and Trachypithecus germaini caudalis.[4][5][6] However, the classification of the Germain's langur has been contested, with T. germaini being grouped with other species in its subfamily.[4][7] T. germaini and T. margarita were considered to be a single species, T. villosus, but morphological and genetic evidence has shown that they are distinct.[4][7][8][9] T. germaini has also been grouped with T. cristatus until recent reclassifications.[4]
Trachypithecus germaini goes by several common names such as the Indochinese lutung, Germain's langur, Germain's silver langur, Indochinese leaf monkey, and Indochinese silvered langur.[10]
Description
Germain's langur has black colouration on its hands and feet, as well as the upper part of its body which fades into paler grey on its underparts.[4] They have long grey tails and white hairs on its round face.[4] Their young have bright orange fur.[4]
Distribution and habitat
The limits of the distribution of Germain's langur are not well known, but they are currently found in Asia, specifically Cambodia, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Thailand.[3] Populations in Vietnam are severely reduced, with few sightings in the last 50 years.[3][11] In Lao PDR, the species has no continuous range, rather multiple patches of higher relative abundance.[3][11] Its distribution in Cambodia is widespread, but its abundance will vary from common to rare.[3] One of the few sites with a population estimate is Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary where a stable population of 1487 is reported.[12][13] In Thailand, the species is common, with many protected areas supporting large populations.[3] Germain's langur is a terrestrial arboreal species, often found in lowlands.[3] They prefer evergreen and semi-evergreen, riverine, mixed deciduous, and gallery forests.[3] They are not commonly found at high elevations or hilly areas.[3]
Behaviour
The diet of Germain's langur is folivorous consisting of leaves, shoots, and fruits.[4][14] They are also observed to consume mushrooms (mycophagy) and soil (geophagy).[14] Their folivorous diet dictates a resting period, in which they can undergo the process of rumination.[14][15]
Trachypithecus germaini, and other Asian colobines, are generally less frequently engaged in social interaction than frugivorous primates such as macaques.[14][16] They have a lower affinity to social behaviour in comparison to feeding and resting which makes up the majority of their day.[14] However, T. germaini is often found in troops of 10 to 50 individuals in close social proximity.[4][14]
Predators and threats
Predators of Trachypithecus, including the Germain's langur, include leopards, tigers, dholes, and large snakes.[17] A variety of small carnivores will feed on the young.[17]
Prevalent threats to Germain's langur include hunting, exotic pet trading, and habitat loss due to agricultural expansion.[3]
Status and conservation
T. germaini is considered endangered by the IUCN, with a greater than 50% decline in the past three generations.[3] It is listed under CITES Appendix II, meaning that trade of the species must be controlled to avoid endangerment.[3][18]
Little conservation efforts have been made, despite the species designation.[7][14] Several protected areas have been established across its range which aids in the conservation of the species. The species has been recorded in numerous protected areas in Vietnam and Thailand.[3] In Vietnam, their populations have increased in two protected areas, Phú Quốc National Park and Kiên Lương Karst Area, demonstrating the importance of conservation efforts.[19]
References
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- ↑ Kirkpatrick, R.C. 2011. The Asian colobines: diversity among leaf-eating monkeys. In: Primates in Perspective, C.J. Campbell, A. Fuentes, K.C. MacKinnon and M. Panger (eds.), pp. 189–202. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
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