Gray-shanked Douc
Encyclopedia
The gray-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea) is a douc
species native to the Vietnamese provinces
of Quang Nam
, Quảng Ngãi
, Binh Dinh
, Kon Tum
, and Gia Lai
. The total population is estimated at 550 to 700 individuals.
. They are light gray with a pale underside. Their feet and hand are black and their shins are a dark gray. The face is brownish orange on top with a white chin. Hair around the chin is white. The throat is white and lined on the bottom with an orange, brown collar. Males are slightly larger than females averaging 10.9 kg. Females average about 8.2 kg.
of P. nemaeus
in 1997, but later elevated to species status due to morphological differences. Other research has shown significant genetic differences as well. This species does sometimes hybridize with P. nemaeus.
. They move about through trees by jumping and brachiating
. In the past they have been found in groups as large as fifty individuals but those numbers have been greatly reduced to 4 to 15 individuals. Males are the dominant gender and dominance hierarchies have been observed while in captivity.
Gray-shanked doucs also engage in grooming to remove parasites and to establish and strengthen bonds between group members. This is usually done before resting for the night. Group members will also spar with each other. Sparing is a type or aggressive behavior in which participants will slap, pull, and grab each other.
Visual communication includes facial expressions and various postures. Facial expressions include grimacing, which is used to show submissiveness, play face, which is used to play with another group member, and staring which suggests either curiosity or aggression. Facial expressions are also used during courtship. The male will make faces at the female indicating that he is ready to copulate.
but will also eat other plant parts such as seeds, fruits, and flowers. They prefer young leaves and fruit that has not yet fully ripened.
Births usually occur between January and August, during the fruiting season. The mother will give birth to one offspring weighting 500 g to 720 g. Females are sexually mature at about four years of age.
as critically endangered. It is one of "The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates
."
also played a big part in reducing the population. Soldiers would use the monkeys for target practice. Deforestation and habitat fragmentation are also major threats. Laws are in place to prevent the destruction of their habitat and to prevent hunting but they are not strongly enforced.
's Vietnam Primate Conservation Program. The Frankfurt Zoological Society also works with the Endangered Primate Rescue Center which has an ongoing Captive Breeding program.
On July 3, 2007, it was reported that the WWF
and Conservation International
had monitored at least 116 of the primates in central Vietnam
, increasing its chances of survival.
Douc
The doucs or douc langurs make up the genus Pygathrix, which consists of these 3 species:*Red-shanked douc, Pygathrix nemaeus*Black-shanked douc, Pygathrix nigripes*Gray-shanked douc, Pygathrix cinerea...
species native to the Vietnamese provinces
Provinces of Vietnam
Vietnam is divided into 58 provinces and five centrally governed cities existing at the same level as provinces ....
of Quang Nam
Quang Nam Province
Quảng Nam is a province on the South Central Coast of Vietnam. It is bordered by Thua Thien-Huế province to the north, the nation of Laos to the west, Kon Tum Province to the southwest, Quảng Ngãi Province to the southeast, the South China Sea to the east, and the city of Da Nang to the...
, Quảng Ngãi
Quang Ngai Province
Quảng Ngãi is a province in the South Central Coast region of Vietnam, on the coast of South China Sea. It is located 883 km south of Hanoi and 838 km north of Ho Chi Minh City.-History:...
, Binh Dinh
Binh Dinh Province
Bình Định is a province of Vietnam. It is located in Vietnam's South Central Coast region.-Administration:Binh Dinh is divided into one city and 10 districts:*An Lão*An Nhơn*Hoài Ân*Hoài Nhơn*Phù Cát*Phù Mỹ*Tuy Phước*Tây Sơn*Vân Canh...
, Kon Tum
Kon Tum Province
Kon Tum province lies in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam and shares borders with Laos and Cambodia. It has an area of 9,934 square km and a population of approximately 330,000. The economy is primarily agricultural.-Name:...
, and Gia Lai
Gia Lai Province
Gia Lai is a province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.-Administrative divisions:The province is divided into one city , two towns , and 13 districts:#Chư Păh#Chư Prông#Chư Sê#Đắk Đoa#Đắk Pơ#Đức Cơ#Ia Grai#Ia Pa...
. The total population is estimated at 550 to 700 individuals.
Physical description
Gray-shanked doucs are very similar in appearance to P. nemaeusRed-shanked Douc
The red-shanked douc is a species of Old World monkey, among the most colourful of all primates. This attractive monkey is sometimes called the "costumed ape" for its extravagant appearance. From its knees to its ankles it sports maroon-red "stockings", and it appears to wear white forearm length...
. They are light gray with a pale underside. Their feet and hand are black and their shins are a dark gray. The face is brownish orange on top with a white chin. Hair around the chin is white. The throat is white and lined on the bottom with an orange, brown collar. Males are slightly larger than females averaging 10.9 kg. Females average about 8.2 kg.
Taxonomy
P. cinerea was originally described as a subspeciesSubspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of P. nemaeus
Red-shanked Douc
The red-shanked douc is a species of Old World monkey, among the most colourful of all primates. This attractive monkey is sometimes called the "costumed ape" for its extravagant appearance. From its knees to its ankles it sports maroon-red "stockings", and it appears to wear white forearm length...
in 1997, but later elevated to species status due to morphological differences. Other research has shown significant genetic differences as well. This species does sometimes hybridize with P. nemaeus.
Behavior and feeding
Gray-shanked doucs are diurnal and primarily arborealArboreal locomotion
Arboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In every habitat in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some animals may only scale trees occasionally, while others are exclusively arboreal. These habitats pose numerous mechanical challenges to animals...
. They move about through trees by jumping and brachiating
Brachiation
Brachiation is a form of arboreal locomotion in which primates swing from tree limb to tree limb using only their arms.- Brachiators :...
. In the past they have been found in groups as large as fifty individuals but those numbers have been greatly reduced to 4 to 15 individuals. Males are the dominant gender and dominance hierarchies have been observed while in captivity.
Communication
P. cinerea communicates using touch, visual communication, and sound. Growls are used to show aggression. They can be used as a threat or warning toward other individuals. A soft, twitter sound is used when being submissive.Gray-shanked doucs also engage in grooming to remove parasites and to establish and strengthen bonds between group members. This is usually done before resting for the night. Group members will also spar with each other. Sparing is a type or aggressive behavior in which participants will slap, pull, and grab each other.
Visual communication includes facial expressions and various postures. Facial expressions include grimacing, which is used to show submissiveness, play face, which is used to play with another group member, and staring which suggests either curiosity or aggression. Facial expressions are also used during courtship. The male will make faces at the female indicating that he is ready to copulate.
Feeding
Gray-shanked langurs are primarily folivourousFolivore
In zoology, a folivore is a herbivore that specializes in eating leaves. Mature leaves contain a high proportion of hard-to-digest cellulose, less energy than other types of foods, and often toxic compounds. For this reason folivorous animals tend to have long digestive tracts and slow metabolisms....
but will also eat other plant parts such as seeds, fruits, and flowers. They prefer young leaves and fruit that has not yet fully ripened.
Reproduction
The breeding season usually occurs between August and December and gestation is about 165 to 190 days. When courting, potential mates will use facial expressions to indicate that they are ready to copulate. One will thrust its jaw forward, shake its head, and raise and lower its eyebrows. The other will then respond with the same action. This may be repeated several times. The female then presents herself to the male.Births usually occur between January and August, during the fruiting season. The mother will give birth to one offspring weighting 500 g to 720 g. Females are sexually mature at about four years of age.
Conservation
P. cinerea is listed on the IUCN Red ListIUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
as critically endangered. It is one of "The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates
The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates
The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates is a list of highly endangered primate species selected and published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission Primate Specialist Group , the International Primatological Society , and Conservation International...
."
Threats
Hunting has been a major problem for Gray-shanked doucs. They are hunted for bush meat and for traditional medicine purposes. There bones are used to make a substance called monkey bone balm which though to improve hemoglobin regeneration and renal function. It is also believed to treat lack of appetite, insomnia, and anemia. Gray-shanked doucs are also used in the exotic wild life trade. The adults are killed and infants are take and sold as pets. The Vietnam WarVietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
also played a big part in reducing the population. Soldiers would use the monkeys for target practice. Deforestation and habitat fragmentation are also major threats. Laws are in place to prevent the destruction of their habitat and to prevent hunting but they are not strongly enforced.
Conservation efforts
Studies are under way to learn more about the distribution, range, and behavior of Gray-shanked doucs. These studies will help experts to find more ways to conserve this species. A long term study in the Gia Lai Provence is currently being conducted as a part of the Frankfurt Zoological SocietyFrankfurt Zoological Society
The Frankfurt Zoological Society is an independent, non-profit conservation organisation based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The society is funded through membership fees, donations, bequests, grants and earnings from its endowment fund.-History:...
's Vietnam Primate Conservation Program. The Frankfurt Zoological Society also works with the Endangered Primate Rescue Center which has an ongoing Captive Breeding program.
On July 3, 2007, it was reported that the WWF
World Wide Fund for Nature
The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States...
and Conservation International
Conservation International
Conservation International is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, which seeks to ensure the health of humanity by protecting Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity. CI’s work focuses on six key initiatives that affect human well-being: climate, food security, freshwater...
had monitored at least 116 of the primates in central Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, increasing its chances of survival.