A new species of snub-nosed monkey, genus Rhinopithecus Milne-Edwards, 1872 (Primates, Colobinae), from northern Kachin state, northeastern Myanmar

We describe a snub‐nosed monkey that is new to science from the high altitudes of northeastern Kachin state, northeastern Myanmar, the Burmese snub‐nosed monkey, Rhinopithecus strykeri sp. nov. Descriptions are based on a skin and skulls of four specimens obtained from local hunters. The new species...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of primatology 2011-01, Vol.73 (1), p.96-107
Main Authors: Geissmann, Thomas, Lwin, Ngwe, Aung, Saw Soe, Aung, Thet Naing, Aung, Zin Myo, Hla, Tony Htin, Grindley, Mark, Momberg, Frank
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biodiversity
Body Size
Burma
Burmese snub-nosed monkey
Colobinae - anatomy & histology
Colobinae - classification
Conservation of Natural Resources
Distribution
Endangered Species
Environment
Female
Geography
Hunters
Kachin state
Male
Myanmar
New species
Population Density
Primates
Regions
Rhinopithecus bieti
Rhinopithecus strykeri sp. nov
Rivers
Skin
Species
Trees
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Summary:We describe a snub‐nosed monkey that is new to science from the high altitudes of northeastern Kachin state, northeastern Myanmar, the Burmese snub‐nosed monkey, Rhinopithecus strykeri sp. nov. Descriptions are based on a skin and skulls of four specimens obtained from local hunters. The new species is geographically isolated from other snub‐nosed monkeys and separated from them by two major barriers—the Mekong and the Salween (Thanlwin) rivers. The species is chiefly diagnosed by its almost entirely blackish fur coloration with white fur only on ear tufts, chin beard, and perineal area, and its relatively long tail (140% of head and body length in the adult male). Preliminary surveys and interviews with hunters indicate that the new species is limited in distribution to the Maw River area, a small region of the Salween‐N'mai Hka divide in northeastern Kachin state, northeastern Myanmar. The distribution area appears to cover about 270 km2, and the species may consist of only three groups with a total population of approximately 260–330 individuals. Our data on hunting pressure suggest that the species is Critically Endangered. Am. J. Primatol. 73:96–107, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:0275-2565
1098-2345
DOI:10.1002/ajp.20894