Popa Langur

Why in News?

Recently, the scientists have discovered new monkey species Popa Langur, is on the verge of extinction.

Popa Langur – It is a newly-discovered species, occurs in central Myanmar which is named after the sacred Mount Popa.
Discovered in – 2020.
Taxonomy
- Scientific Name – Trachypithecus popa.
- Genus – Trachypithecus of Old-World primates.
It was often referred as Leaf-Monkeys.
Habitat – Found in the evergreen and deciduous forests, bamboo forests and plantations.
Distribution – High evergreen forests of Myanmar.

The largest populations of Popa Langur live in Popa Mountain Park and Panlaung-Pyadalin Cave Wildlife Sanctuary, Myanmar.

Morphology – It has soft fluffy gray fur, pointed cap of fur on their head, like most langurs, small heads and large eyes made bigger in appearance by thick white eye rings.
It has small, elongated nostrils and a wide mouth covered in white fur, chest and belly are pale gray-white in color.

Behavior – It is an arboreal (spending most of their time in trees) and diurnal (active during the day).
It is capable of traveling long distances and has home ranges large as 256 acres.
It is vocal primates and range calls to communicate with each other.
Diet – It is a folivores (leaf eaters), which feed on leaves, fruits, green shoots and petioles.
Researchers recently estimated that only 200 to 260 individuals remain now.
Threats – Hunting for meat
- Illegal pet trade
- Agricultural encroachment
- Water and soil pollution
- Cattle ranching.
Conservation Status
- IUCN – Critically Endangered.
- CITES – Appendix II.