TheKashmir gray langur(Semnopithecus ajax) is anOld World monkey,one of thelangurspecies. It is aleaf-eatingmonkey.[2]
| Kashmir gray langur | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Suborder: | Haplorhini |
| Infraorder: | Simiiformes |
| Family: | Cercopithecidae |
| Genus: | Semnopithecus |
| Species: | S. ajax
|
| Binomial name | |
| Semnopithecus ajax | |
| |
| Kashmir gray langur range | |
It has been reported fromJammu and KashmirandHimachal Pradeshin northwesternIndiabut evidence indicates it only occurs in theChamba Valleyin Himachal Pradesh. Because of its restricted range, fragmented population and threats from human agriculture and development activities it is listed asEndangeredin theIUCN Red List.[1] In Pakistan it occurs inMachiara National Park.[3]
It was formerly considered a subspecies ofSemnopithecus entellusand is one of severalSemnopithecusspecies named after characters fromThe Iliad,along withSemnopithecus hectorandSemnopithecus priam.[4]
Ecology and behaviour
It isarborealanddiurnal,and lives intemperateand alpineforests.[1]It lives at the highest elevation of any non-human primate in the world and is found in forests at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 4,733 m (4,921 to 15,528 ft).[1][5]
Thebirthingseason for the Kashmir gray langur runs from January through June, although almost half of all infants are born in March. The infants are weaned at a higher age than mostAsiancolobines.While most Asian colobines wean their young within the first year, Kashmir gray langurs wean their young on average at 25 months. This is apparently due to nutritional constraints, since monkeys in poorer sites wean their young at an older age. The interbirth interval for females is about 2.4 years.Alloparental careoccurs in Kashmir gray langur for up to 5 months. Males are usually protective of infants, butinfanticideoccasionally occurs.[6]
Although most Asian colobine groups comprise only a single adult male and multiple females, multimale groups are known to occur withinSemnopithecusspecies. In Kashmir gray langurs, multimale groups may include as many as five adult males. Females initiatecopulationby soliciting a male, but not all solicitations result in copulation.[6]
References
- ^abcdeKumar, A.; Singh, M.; Anandam, M.; Ahuja, V.; Kumara, H.N. & Molur, S. (2020)."Semnopithecus ajax".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2020:e.T39833A17943210.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39833A17943210.en.Retrieved17 January2022.
- ^abGroves, 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. 174.ISBN0-801-88221-4.OCLC62265494.
- ^Minhas, R. A.; Ahmed, K. B.; Awan, M. S.; Dar, N. I. (2010). "Social organization and reproductive biology of Himalayan grey langur (Semnopithecus entellus ajax) in Machiara National Park, Azad Kashmir (Pakistan) ".Pakistan Journal of Zoology.42:143–156.
- ^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. pp.174–175.ISBN0-801-88221-4.OCLC62265494.
- ^Minhas, R.A.; Ali, U.; Awan, M.S.; Ahmed, K.B.; Khan, M.N.; Dar, N.I.; Qamar, Q.Z.; Ali, H.; Grueter, C.C.; Tsuji, Y. (2013)."Ranging and foraging of Himalayan grey langurs in Machiara National Park, Pakistan".Primates.54(2):147–152.doi:10.1007/s10329-013-0345-7.PMID23408044.
- ^abKirkpatrick, R. C. (2007). "The Asian Colobines". In Campbell, C. J.;Fuentes, A.;MacKinnon, K.C.; Panger, M.; Bearder, S. K. (eds.).Primates in Perspective.pp.191–193, 196.ISBN978-0-19-517133-4.