Nilgiri langur

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Nilgiri langur
Nilgiri langur (1) by N. A. Naseer.jpg
Nilgiri langur eating fruit.
Langur @ parambikulam.jpg
At Parambikulam.
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Haplorhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Family: Cercopithecidae
Genus: Semnopithecus
Species:
S. johnii
Binomial name
Semnopithecus johnii
(J. Fischer, 1829)
Nilgiri Langur area.png
Nilgiri langur range
Synonyms [2]

The Nilgiri langur (Semnopithecus johnii) is an Asian langur of the Old World monkey. It has glossy, black fur and an orangey-golden brown, hair-like mane on its head. Females have a white patch of fur on the inner thigh. It typically lives in troops of nine to ten individuals, with or without offspring, depending on seasonality. Its diet consists of fruits, shoots and leaves. It is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is threatened by habitat destruction and poaching for its body parts, thought to supposedly contain aphrodisiac properties.

Taxonomy and classification

The classification of the Nilgiri langur has been disputed. Traditionally it has been placed within the genus Trachypithecus based on morphological similarities such as cranial morphology and neonatal pelage color, and within the Trachypithecus vetulus group within Trachypithecus based on a presumed close relationship with the purple-faced langur (Semnopithecus vetulus), which had formerly been classified as T. vetulus. DNA and other evidence suggests that the Nilgiri and purple-faced langurs are more closely related to the gray langurs, and have thus been reclassified within the genus Semnopithecus. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Description

Adult males have a head-to-body length of 78–80 cm (31–31 in) and adult females of 58–60 cm (23–24 in); their tails are 68.5–96.5 cm (27.0–38.0 in) long. Males weigh 9.1–14.8 kg (20–33 lb) and females 10.9–12 kg (24–26 lb). [8]

Distribution

The Nilgiri langur is native to the Nilgiri Hills of South India, where it occurs at elevations of 300–2,000 m (980–6,560 ft) in the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. [1] It has been sighted in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, Aliyar Forest Reserve, Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Bandipur National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Idamalayar Reserve Forest, Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Nelliampathi, Periyar National Park, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary and Silent Valley National Park. [9]

Behaviour and ecology

The gestation period is not precisely known but assumed to be 200 days. [8]

Related Research Articles

<i>Semnopithecus</i> Genus of Old World monkeys

Semnopithecus is a genus of Old World monkeys native to the Indian subcontinent, with all species with the exception of two being commonly known as gray langurs. Traditionally only the species Semnopithecus entellus was recognized, but since about 2001 additional species have been recognized. The taxonomy has been in flux, but currently eight species are recognized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purple-faced langur</span> Species of Old World monkey

The purple-faced langur, also known as the purple-faced leaf monkey, is a species of Old World monkey that is endemic to Sri Lanka. The animal is a long-tailed arboreal species, identified by a mostly brown appearance, dark face and a very shy nature. The species was once highly prevalent, found in suburban Colombo and the "wet zone" villages, but rapid urbanization has led to a significant decrease in the population level of the monkeys. It had traditionally been classified within the genus Trachypithecus but was moved to the genus Semnopithecus based on DNA evidence indicating that is it more closely related to the gray langurs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colobinae</span> Subfamily of Old World monkeys

The Colobinae or leaf-eating monkeys are a subfamily of the Old World monkey family that includes 61 species in 11 genera, including the black-and-white colobus, the large-nosed proboscis monkey, and the gray langurs. Some classifications split the colobine monkeys into two tribes, while others split them into three groups. Both classifications put the three African genera Colobus, Piliocolobus, and Procolobus in one group; these genera are distinct in that they have stub thumbs. The various Asian genera are placed into another one or two groups. Analysis of mtDNA confirms the Asian species form two distinct groups, one of langurs and the other of the "odd-nosed" species, but are inconsistent as to the relationships of the gray langurs; some studies suggest that the gray langurs are not closely related to either of these groups, while others place them firmly within the langur group.

<i>Trachypithecus</i> Genus of Old World monkeys

Trachypithecus is a genus of Old World monkeys containing species known as lutungs, langurs, or leaf monkeys. Their range is much of Southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gee's golden langur</span> Species of Old World monkey

Gee's golden langur, also known as simply the golden langur, is an Old World monkey found in a small region of Western Assam, India and the neighboring foothills of the Black Mountains of Bhutan. Long considered sacred by many Himalayan people, the golden langur was first brought to the attention of the Western world by the naturalist Edward Pritchard Gee in the 1950s. Adult males have a cream to golden coat with darker flanks while the females and juveniles are lighter. The golden langur has a black face and a long tail up to 50 cm (19.69 in) in length. It lives in high trees and has a herbivorous diet of fruits, leaves, seeds, buds, and flowers. The average group size is eight individuals, with a ratio of several females to each adult male. It is one of the most endangered primate species of India and Bhutan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hatinh langur</span> Species of Old World monkey

The Hatinh langur is a highly threatened Old World monkey found in limestone forests in Vietnam, primarily in the Quảng Bình Province. A recent survey discovered a small population living in the Quảng Trị Province. Contrary to its name, it is not known from the Hà Tĩnh Province. The local Van Kieu minority refer to this monkey as the 'Con Cung', which roughly translates as "black, cliff-dwelling monkey with a long tail". It resembles the closely related François' langur, but its white cheek-stripes typically extend behind the ears onto the nape, and the overall black colour is non-glossy and has a brownish tinge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silvery lutung</span> Species of Old World monkey

The silvery lutung, also known as the silvered leaf monkey or the silvery langur, is an Old World monkey. It is arboreal, living in coastal, mangrove, and riverine forests in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and other nearby islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Javan langur</span> Species of Old World monkey

The East Javan langur, also known as the ebony lutung, Javan langur or Javan lutung, is an Old World monkey from the Colobinae subfamily. It is most commonly glossy black with a brownish tinge to its legs, sides, and "sideburns". It is found on the island of Java, as well as on several of the surrounding Indonesian islands. The Latin word auratus in its scientific name means "golden", and refers to a less common color variant. Note that the common name golden langur is used for a different species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phayre's leaf monkey</span> Species of Old World monkey

Phayre's leaf monkey, also known as Phayre's langur, is a species of Old World monkey native to South Asia and Southeast Asia, namely India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Populations from further east are now thought to belong to other species. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is threatened by hunting and loss of habitat. The species epithet commemorates Arthur Purves Phayre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern plains gray langur</span> Species of mammal

The northern plains gray langur, also known as the sacred langur, Bengal sacred langur and Hanuman langur, is a species of primate in the family Cercopithecidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dusky leaf monkey</span> Species of Old World monkey

The dusky leaf monkey, also known as the spectacled langur or the spectacled leaf monkey, is a species of primate in the family Cercopithecidae. It is found in Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand, and can occasionally be found in Singapore. During the day, these small, folivorous primates divide in sub-groups and forage for vegetation and fruit throughout the tropical forests. According to the IUCN, the dusky leaf monkey's population is declining due to habitat loss, poaching, and anthropogenic land use, which prompted the IUCN to classify the species as endangered in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Germain's langur</span> Species of Old World monkey

Germain's langur is an Old World monkey native to Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. The monkey was previously included in Trachypithecus cristatus and Trachypithecus villosus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nepal gray langur</span> Species of Old World monkey

The Nepal gray langur is a gray langur endemic to the Himalayas in Nepal, far southwestern Tibet, northern India, northern Pakistan, Bhutan and possibly Afghanistan. It is found in forests at an elevation of 1,500 to 4,000 metres. Its easternmost limit in India is Buxa Tiger Reserve in northern West Bengal, at least up to the Rydak river.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kashmir gray langur</span> Species of Old World monkey

The Kashmir gray langur is an Old World monkey, one of the langur species. It is a leaf-eating monkey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tufted gray langur</span> Species of Old World monkey

The tufted gray langur, also known as Madras gray langur, and Coromandel sacred langur, is an Old World monkey, one of the species of langurs. This, like other gray langurs, is mainly a leaf-eating monkey. It is found in southeast India and Sri Lanka. It is one of three Semnopithecus species named after characters from The Iliad, S. hector and S. ajax being the others. In Sinhala it is known as හැලි වදුරා.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western purple-faced langur</span> Subspecies of Old World monkey

The western purple-faced langur, also known as the north lowland wetzone purple-faced langur, is a subspecies of purple-faced langur endemic to Sri Lanka. It lives in the wet zone in western Sri Lanka around the former capital city of Colombo. This subspecies are known to live in tropical rainforest, specifically in an area of Sri Lanka, where it is noted to rain two times more compared to the neighboring region. The subspecies is generally gray-brown with lighter whiskers, a gray rump patch, and dark forearms and legs. These monkeys also have dark brown or black, hairless faces. Their hands and feet are also hairless. When infants, their fur is medium brown to light gray, however it changes to their darker adult colors at between 12 and 16 weeks old. Typical length is between 48 and 67 centimetres excluding tail, with a 59 to 85 centimetres tail. On average, males weigh 8.5 kilograms (19 lb) and females weigh 7.8 kilograms (17 lb). Their average life span is about 26 years if the monkey was held in captivity. Due to their leafy diet, the western purple-faced langur back teeth, include high crowns and pointed cusps to make eating through greenery simpler. They also developed a digestive system that would allow them to break down cellulose in the leaves they eat. Although, leaves are their primary source of food, they also eat fruits and flowers. Female langurs hold a pregnancy for 195–210 days, and after the birth the offsprings are taken closely cared for by the mother until they are about 12–20 weeks old.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Javan langur</span> Species of Old World monkey

The West Javan langur is an Old World monkey from the Colobinae subfamily. It was formerly considered a subspecies of Trachypithecus auratus until it was elevated to a separate species by Roos and Groves. It is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Its range is restricted to the island of Java west of Jakarta. Its range is currently restricted to Ujung Kulon National Park, Muara Angke Wildlife Reserve and Muara Gembong due to industrial development, habitat fragmentation and the disconnection of protected areas. They are known to eat the leaves and fruits of Sonneratia in mangroves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popa langur</span> Species of mammal

The Popa langur is a species of primate in the family Cercopithecidae. It occurs only in Myanmar and was named after Mount Popa, where a population of 100 of the monkeys live. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, as the wild population is thought to comprise 200 to 250 mature individuals.

The Shan State langur is a subspecies of primate in the family Cercopithecidae. It is found in eastern Myanmar and southwest China. While it is typically considered a subspecies or even a synonym of Phayre's leaf monkey, it is sometimes listed as a full species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presbytini</span> Tribe of Old World monkeys

Presbytini is a tribe of Old World monkeys that includes all of the Asian colobine monkeys.

References

  1. 1 2 Singh, M.; Kumara, H.N.; Kumar, A. (2020). "Semnopithecus johnii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T44694A17958623. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T44694A17958623.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 178. ISBN   0-801-88221-4. OCLC   62265494.
  3. Brandon–Jones, D.; et al. (2004). "Asian Primate Classification". International Journal of Primatology. 25 (1): 97–164. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.694.7983 . doi:10.1023/B:IJOP.0000014647.18720.32. S2CID   29045930.
  4. Osterholz, M.; Walter, L.; Roos, C. (2008). "Phylogenetic position of the langur genera Semnopithecus and Trachypithecus among Asian colobines, and genus affiliations of their species groups". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 8 (58): 58. Bibcode:2008BMCEE...8...58O. doi: 10.1186/1471-2148-8-58 . PMC   2268674 . PMID   18298809.
  5. Karanth, K.P.; Singh, L.; Collura, R.V.; Stewart, C.B. (2008). "Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of langurs and leaf monkeys of South Asia (Primates: Colobinae)" (PDF). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 46 (2): 683–694. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2007.11.026. PMID   18191589.
  6. Wilson, D.E.; Mittermeier, R.A.; Rylands, A.B. (2012). "Introduction". Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Volume 3: Primates (1st ed.). Lynx Edicions. ISBN   978-8496553897.
  7. Wang, X.P.; et al. (2012). "Phylogenetic Relationships among the Colobine Monkeys Revisited: New Insights from Analyses of Complete mt Genomes and 44 Nuclear Non-Coding Markers". PLoS One. 7 (4): e36274. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...736274W. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036274 . PMC   3338693 . PMID   22558416.
  8. 1 2 Malviya, M.; Srivastav, A.; Nigam, P.; Tyagi, P. C. (2011). Indian National Studbook of Nilgiri Langur (Trachypithecus johnii) (PDF). Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun and Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.
  9. Govt of India (2020). The Gazette of India (PDF). Government of India. p. 20. Retrieved 14 April 2022.