Research Article

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

  1. Thomas Geissmann1,3,*,
  2. Ngwe Lwin2,
  3. Saw Soe Aung2,
  4. Thet Naing Aung2,
  5. Zin Myo Aung2,
  6. Tony Htin Hla2,
  7. Mark Grindley4,
  8. Frank Momberg3

Article first published online: 27 OCT 2010

DOI: 10.1002/ajp.20894

Issue

American Journal of Primatology

American Journal of Primatology

Special Issue: Special Section on Primates in 21st Century Ecosystems: Does Primate Conservation Promote Ecosystem Conservation?

Volume 73, Issue 1, pages 96–107, January 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Geissmann, T., Lwin, N., Aung, S. S., Aung, T. N., Aung, Z. M., Hla, T. H., Grindley, M. and Momberg, F. (2011), A new species of snub-nosed monkey, genus Rhinopithecus Milne-Edwards, 1872 (Primates, Colobinae), from northern Kachin state, northeastern Myanmar. Am. J. Primatol., 73: 96–107. doi: 10.1002/ajp.20894

Author Information

  1. 1

    Anthropological Institute, University Zürich-Irchel, Zürich, Switzerland

  2. 2

    Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA), Yangon, Myanmar

  3. 3

    Fauna & Flora International (FFI) Asia Pacific Programme, Jakarta, Indonesia

  4. 4

    People Resources and Conservation Foundation (PRCF), Chiang Mai, Thailand

*Anthropological Institute, University Zürich-Irchel, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH – 8057 Zürich, Switzerland

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 22 NOV 2010
  2. Article first published online: 27 OCT 2010
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 12 SEP 2010
  4. Manuscript Received: 1 SEP 2010

Funded by

  • Halycon Fund
  • Arcus Foundation. Grant Number: 0803-35
  • US Fish & Wildlife Service Great Apes Conservation Fund. Grant Number: 98210-8-G662

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Keywords:

  • Burmese snub-nosed monkey;
  • Rhinopithecus strykeri sp. nov.;
  • Rhinopithecus bieti;
  • Kachin state;
  • Myanmar;
  • New species

Abstract

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.

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