Trachypithecus germaini (A. Milne-Edwards, 1876)

Russell A. Mittermeier, Anthony B. Rylands & Don E. Wilson, 2013, Cercopithecidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 3 Primates, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 550-755 : 744

147.

Germain’s Langur

Trachypithecus germaini

French: Langur de Germain / German: Germain-Langur / Spanish: Langur de Germain

Other common names: Germain'’s Silver Langur, Indochinese Lutung, Indochinese Silvered Langur

Taxonomy. Semnopithecus germani [sic] Milne-Edwards, 1876 ,

Cochin China and Cambodia.

Until recently, T. margarita was considered a synonym of T. germaini . T. germaini is closely related to T. cristatus , T. auratus , T. mauritius , T. margarita , and T. selangorensis , and together they form the cristatus species group. It is partially sympatric with T. barbei . There is a highly distinct but little-known taxon from northern Vietnam that may be attributable to this species (as the form caudalis ). Monotypic.

Distribution. Mainland South-east Asia in S Myanmar, S Thailand, S Laos, Cambodia (W of Mekong River), and the S tip of Vietnam. Range limit of this species to the E might be the Mekong River.

Descriptive notes. Head—body ¢.55 cm, tail 72-84 cm; weight 6.5-7 kg. Germain’s Langur is similar to the Silvered Langur (7. ¢ristatus), but larger and paler and has a longer tail. Fur is generally pale grayish, with a lighter underside, throat, and shanks. Forearms are a dark gray, hands and feet are black, and tail is black above and lighter below. Long, creamy-yellow circumfacial hairs form a distinctive “halo.” Face is slaty-black. Females have a whitish pubic patch. The little-known form from northern Vietnam is described as dark, with a black tone to its dorsum, becoming brown-gray with silvery tips on flanks. Long cheek hairs are pale yellow, and legs are pale yellowish on their outsides. Its tail is bi-colored at the base, with a sharply marked yellowish stripe underneath, contrasting with the black upper side (although not distally black).

Habitat. Evergreen, semi-evergreen, mixed deciduous, riparian, and gallery forest. Records of Germain’s Langurs in hilly areas or at higher elevations are few. Depending on the region, it is sympatric with the Tenasserim Langur (71. barber ).

Food and Feeding. Germain’s Langurs eat mainly young leaves, along with shoots, seeds, flowers, dried wood, crops, and fruits (especially figs). Soil is also consumed occasionally. It has not been observed eating animal prey.

Breeding. Infant Germain’s Langurs have a golden-orange coat, with white faces, hands, and feet.

Activity patterns. Germain’s Langur is diurnal and arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Germain’s Langurs live in groups of 9-30 individuals (average 17). Aspects of social organization are likely similar to other members of the cristatus species group.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Germain’s Langur is widespread but relatively rare throughoutits range. Population densities are generally low. In Cambodia,it is widespread in certain areas but rare in others. In Thailand,it is moderately common in several protected areas but has declined significantly in recent years. In Vietnam, five or six karst hills in Kien Giang Province hold the only confirmed populations of Germain’s Langurs in the country, and excavation of limestone for cement production in this area is a serious threat. The major threats throughout its range are hunting (food, traditional medicine, and the pet trade) and habitat loss due to agriculture. It occurs in several protected areas in Thailand and Cambodia. In Laos,it is confirmed only in Dong Khanthung National Biodiversity Conservation Area. Population estimates are not available. Additional surveys and taxonomic work are needed to elucidate the population and conservation status and distributional limits of Germain’s Langur.

Bibliography. Dao Van Tien (1977), Duckworth et al. (1999), Groves (2001), Nadler, Momberg et al. (2003), Nadler, Timmins & Richardson (2008), Nadler, Walter & Roos (2005), Roos, Nadler & Walter (2008), Roos, Vu Ngoc Thanh et al. (2007), Timmins, Steinmetz et al. (2013).

Figures

140. Golden Langur (Trachypithecus gee), 141. Capped Langur (Trachypithecus pileatus), 142. Shortridge’s Langur (Trachypithecus shortridgei), 143. East Javan Langur (Trachypithecus auratus), 144. West Javan Langur (Trachypithecus mauritius), 145. Silvered Langur (Trachypithecus cristatus), 146. Selangor Silvery Langur (Trachypithecus selangorensis), 147. Germain’s Langur (Trachypithecus germaini), 148. Annamese Langur (Trachypithecus margarita)

Distribution. Mainland South-east Asia in S Myanmar, S Thailand, S Laos, Cambodia (W of Mekong River), and the S tip of Vietnam. Range limit of this species to the E might be the Mekong River.