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Popa Langur

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January 31, 2025

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 in2020.
  • 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.

  • MorphologyIt 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.

  • BehaviorIt 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.
  • DietIt 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.

References

  1. AZ Animals| Popa Langur Verge of Extinction
  2. NEPC| Popa Langur
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