Western purple-faced langur
Western purple-faced langur | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Primates |
Suborder: | Haplorhini |
Infraorder: | Simiiformes |
Family: | Cercopithecidae |
Genus: | Semnopithecus |
Species: | |
Subspecies: | S. v. nestor
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Trinomial name | |
Semnopithecus vetulus nestor (Bennett, 1833)
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The western purple-faced langur (Semnopithecus vetulus nestor), also known as the north lowland wetzone purple-faced langur, is a subspecies of
Western purple-faced langurs are tree-dwelling animals, and live in groups of up to 14, where a harem of female monkeys, their offsprings and a male in a position of superiority.[3] In contrast, there are also all-male groups called wanderers. This group of monkeys do not spend time together during the day, but share a common sleeping territory at night. Their region of habitation should not mix but due to deforestation the langurs are losing more and more of their habitat, causing groups to have to share land.[3] Wanderers work towards taking over another one-male group, which can be very aggressive and lead towards the death of the alpha male's offsprings.[3] However, researchers noticed an evolvement in their way of living from one male to two male groups, adding extra protection from potential invaders. Another source of protection is their howling calls that allows communication between langur to inform of location or to keep predators away, leopards being their only natural predators.[3]
Since 2004, it has been considered to be
Reasons for the subspecies' critical endangerment are largely due to
Hope for the subspecies continued survival comes from the fact that the largest forests that it currently inhabits are around important water reservoirs and thus less likely to be exploited for other purposes.[9][7] Many of the villagers that lived around the western purple-faced langurs were Buddhists, and believed that the monkeys should be protected due to their roles in the environment, however some believed in the preservation of the animal solely for religious meaning.[7] Also the Sri Lanka Forest Department is undertaking a project to promote forest conservation.[9] Other programs put into effect, include a home gardening program that provided patrons with seeds of plants the langurs mainly eat to improve nutrition and help towards the reforestation of their natural habitats.[8]
References
- . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Dela, J. & Rowe, N. "Western Purple-Faced Langur". Retrieved 2010-08-05.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Western Purple-Faced Langur".
- ^ a b "Purple-faced Langur (Trachypithecus vetulus)". Retrieved 2010-08-05.
- ISBN 978-1-934151-34-1.
- ^ .
- ^ S2CID 73603226.
- ^ S2CID 85213633.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-934151-34-1.