Report on the distribution,population, and ecology of the yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) |
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Authors: | Yongcheng Long Craig R Kirkpatrick Zhongtai Xiaolin |
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Institution: | (1) Kunming Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, 650223 Kunming, Yunnan, People's Republic of China;(2) Department of Anthropology, University of California, 95616 Davis, California, U. S. A.;(3) Baimaxueshan Natural Reserve Station, 674500 Deqin, Yunnan, People's Republic of China |
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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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Keywords: | Rhinopithecus Distribution Population Ecology Conservation |
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