Hanuman langurs are a species complex

Across India monkeys are revered as they are believed to be Hanuman’s army that helped lord Rama invade Lanka. Among the monkeys, there are around 10 species of langurs which are widely distributed and common non-human primate in India. In particular, Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) are found in a range of habitats from tropical rainforests in the Western Ghats to the edge of the desert in Rajasthan, from sea level in costal India to over 3000m in the Himalayas. These species are predominantly leaf eater and largely arboreal.

Most taxonomists consider the Hanuman langurs as a single species with multiple subspecies while others have split them into multiple species. A recent molecular study conducted by the research group of Prof. Praveen Karanth , published in the journal Conservation Genetics, has conclusively shown that Hanuman langur consists of at least three species.

This study splits Hanuman langur into three species: Semnopithecus priam, distributed in the dryer parts of peninsular India; Semnopithecus hypoleucos, distributed predominantly in the Western Ghats; Semnopithecus entellus distributed in North India. Furthermore the study suggests that the Himalayan population might also constitute a separate species.

This study could have important implications for studies directed at this species complex and their conservation.

Publication details: N. C. Ashalakshmi, K. S. Chetan Nag and Praveen Karanth, 2014, Molecules support morphology: species status of South Indian populations of the widely distributed Hanuman langur, Conservation Genetics. DOI 10.1007/s10592-014-0638-4

Various media outlets covered this research:

The Hindu
Telegraph
Business Standard:
Zee News
Deccan Herald
Udaya Vani