Report on the distribution, population, and ecology of the yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) (original) (raw)

Abstract

The Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti), an endangered species in China, has received more protection in theory than in practice. Therefore it is on the very verge of extinction. The population of the species was estimated less than 2,000 individuals spread in 19 distinct groups. It was confirmed that the monkey was confined to the Yunling Mountain System, the area between the Yangtze River (Changjiang, aka Jinshajiang) to the east and the Mekong River (Lancangjiang) to the west. We further concluded that a lowland belt to the east, about 100 km long and 20 – 30 km wide was not suitable habitat for the monkeys, and appeared to serve as the natural ecogeologic barrier for the species. Our results indicated that the southern limit of the distribution was at Longma (26°14′N), and that the northern limit of the distribution was at Xiaochangdu (29°20′N). The distribution area of the species was substantially smaller than previously estimated. There were substantial ecological differences between the southern and northern parts of the species range. The monkey was found only in fir-larch forest.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Kunming Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, 650223, Kunming, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
   Yongcheng Long
2. Department of Anthropology, University of California, 95616, Davis, California, U. S. A.
   Craig R. Kirkpatrick
3. Baimaxueshan Natural Reserve Station, 674500, Deqin, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
   Zhongtai & Xiaolin

Authors

1. Yongcheng Long
2. Craig R. Kirkpatrick
3. Zhongtai
4. Xiaolin

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Long, Y., Kirkpatrick, C.R., Zhongtai et al. Report on the distribution, population, and ecology of the yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti).Primates 35, 241–250 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02382060

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• Received: 22 May 1993
• Accepted: 15 November 1993
• Issue date: April 1994
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02382060

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