Article

Sexual dimorphism in the snub-nosed langurs (Colobinae: Rhinopithecus)

  1. Nina G. Jablonski1,†,*,
  2. Pan Ruliang2,‡

Article first published online: 2 MAY 2005

DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.1330960304

Issue

American Journal of Physical Anthropology

American Journal of Physical Anthropology

Volume 96, Issue 3, pages 251–272, March 1995

Additional Information

How to Cite

Jablonski, N. G. and Ruliang, P. (1995), Sexual dimorphism in the snub-nosed langurs (Colobinae: Rhinopithecus). American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 96: 251–272. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.1330960304

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Perth 6907, Western Australia, Australia

  2. 2

    Kunming Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, People's Republic of China

  1. †

    Department of Anthropology, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118

  2. ‡

    Department of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Perth 6907, Western Australia, Australia

*Department of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Perth 6907, Western Australia, Australia

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 2 MAY 2005
  2. Article first published online: 2 MAY 2005
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 11 AUG 1994
  4. Manuscript Received: 23 DEC 1992

Funded by

  • The Leakey Foundation
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China for Young Scientists

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Keywords:

  • Cercopithecidae;
  • Canine teeth, Body weights;
  • Long bones;
  • Sexual selection;
  • Intermale competition;
  • Seasonality

Abstract

Sexual dimorphism in the dentition and skeleton of the four extant species of snub-nosed langurs, Rhinopithecus (R.) bieti, R. (R.) brelichi, R. (R.) roxellana and R. (Presbytiscus) avunculus, was studied. The species shared a similar general pattern of sexual dimorphism, but were found to differ in respects that appear to reflect the influence of disparate socioecological and environmental factors. All the species showed marked canine dimorphism, but the very high degree of canine dimorphism in R. bieti appeared to be due to the intensity of intermale competition for mates during a temporally restricted breeding season, and possibly also to the intensity of competition between males for other resources during other times of the year. Sexual dimorphism in the postcranial skeleton of Rhinopithecus species was also most pronounced in R. bieti and may be related to the relatively higher frequency of terrestrial locomotion in males of the species. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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