Content area
Full Text
Int J Primatol (2011) 32:587604
DOI 10.1007/s10764-010-9489-0
Robert Steinmetz & Robert J. Timmins &
J. W. Duckworth
Received: 11 December 2009 /Accepted: 11 May 2010 /Published online: 6 January 2011 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011
Abstract Lao leaf monkeys (Trachypithecus (francoisi) laotum) are endemic to a small area of central and, marginally, north Lao. They are known from a few, mostly vague, historical records. We here present a detailed examination of the distribution of this little-known taxon and discuss its conservation status. Surveys since 1992 show its range to be centered upon the karst-dominated Phou Hin Poun National Protected Area (NPA), Nam Sanam Provincial Protected Area, and the southern part of Nam Kading NPA. The known range encompasses <2000 km, within which occurrence is patchy, reflecting habitat availability. The taxonomic identity of leaf monkeys plausibly of this group reported to the north of this area is not known. In the south of Phou Hin Poun NPA, village reports that the monkeys have black heads are corroborated by the few sightings; their taxonomic relationship with typical Trachypithecus laotum is unknown. In the midlate 1990s large populations remained and individuals were easily seen. There is no apparent large-scale threat to their habitat. There has been no significant reassessment of status since the late 1990s, nor is there any active conservation action in place. Although the monkeys are to a significant extent protected by the arduous terrain, this cannot be relied upon indefinitely: Trade-directed hunting, although apparently limited in the 1990s, is a potential threat that could cause rapid population declines. Local traditions offer significant starting points for conserving these monkeys.
R. Steinmetz (*)
World Wide Fund for NatureThailand, Ladyao, Jatujak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand e-mail: [email protected]
J. W. Duckworth3 Camerton Close, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3BT, UK e-mail: [email protected]
Present Address:R. J. Timmins
The Shack, Button Oak, Kinlet, Wocestershire DY12 3AL, UK
Distribution and Conservation Status of the Lao Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus (francoisi) laotum)
588 R. Steinmetz et al.
Keywords Community-based conservation . Group size . Habitat . Phou Hin Poun National Protected Area . Taxonomic speculation . Threats
Introduction
Seventy-nine percent of primate species in Asia are threatened with global extinction (Schipper et al. 2008). This remarkably high level of threat reflects very high levels of hunting...