Primate Watching
Primatology
Taxonomy & Occurrence
Trachypithecus margarita is a monotypic species (no subspecies). It is found in southern Lao PDR, south-central Vietnam, and eastern Cambodia (Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri Provinces).
This species was previously listed under Indochinese Silvered Langur, but was recently elevated to a distinct species because of morphology and genetics [1,9].
IUCN Conservation Status
Endangered
During the 1950s–1990s, populations of Annamese Silvered Langur and Indochinese Silvered Langur were almost universally considered conspecific with the better-known, widespread and numerous Silvered Langur of Sundaic SE Asia (Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra and associated small islands) [2].
Recent morphological and molecular analyses suggest, however, that these Sundaic and non-Sundaic populations are not conspecific, although this view is not universal [3]. Additionally, some used Indochinese Silvered Langur for all non-Sundaic populations [4,5], while others separated them into two species [1,6,7,8,9]: Annamese Silvered Langur to the east of the Mekong and Indochinese Silvered Langur to the west (although this barrier is not yet confirmed) [9].
Seeing this Species
A distinguishing feature of all langurs in the Trachypithecus group is the orange fur coat of their infants. So, keep a lookout for bright orange objects!
Ta Kou Nature Reserve, Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam
The area right around the majestic Reclining Buddha is a good spot to see the langurs.
Please see the page on Black-shanked Douc to find out more about Ta Kou Nature Reserve.
Probability of success: ◆ ◆ ◆ ◇ ◇
Overlapping species:
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Stump-tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides)
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Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis fascicularis)
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Northern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca leonina)
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Pygmy Loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus)
Other sites:
Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam
Please see the page on Southern Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon to find out more about Cat Tien National Park.
Overlapping species:
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Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis fascicularis)
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Northern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca leonina)
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Southern Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae)
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Pygmy Loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus)
Local contacts: Ms. Minh Nguyen (hnim23@gmail.com)
© Andie Ang
Ta Kou Nature Reserve, Vietnam
© Adam Pérou Hermans
Ta Kou Nature Reserve, Vietnam
References
[1] Hoang Minh Duc, Covert H.H., Roos C. & Nadler T., 2012. A note on phenotypical and genetic differences of silvered langurs in Indochina (Trachypithecus germaini and T. margarita). Vietnamese Journal of Primatology 2 (issue 1): 47-54.
[2] Timmins R.J., Steinmetz R., Poulsen M.K., Evans T.D., Duckworth J.W. & Boonratana R., 2013. The Indochinese Silvered Leaf Monkey Trachypithecus germaini (sensu lato) in Lao PDR. Primate Conservation 26: 75-87.
[3] Brandon-Jones D., Eudey A.A., Geissmann T., Groves C.P., Melnick D.J., Morales J.C., Shekelle M. & Stewart C.-B., 2004. Asian primate classification. International Journal of Primatology 25: 97-164.
[4] Groves C.P., 2001. Primate taxonomy. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.
[5] Groves C.P., 2005. Order Primates. In: Mammal species of the world, 3rd edition, Wilson D.E. & Reeder D.M. (eds.), Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, M.D.: 111-184.
[6] Nadler T., Walter L. & Roos C., 2005. Molecular evolution, systematics and distribution of the taxa within the silvered langur species group (Trachypithecus [cristatus]) in Southeast Asia. Zoologische Garten 75: 238-247.
[7] Francis C.M., 2008. A field guide to the mammals of Southeast Asia. New Holland, London.
[8] Roos C., Nadler T. & Walter L., 2008. Mitochondrial phylogeny, taxonomy and biogeography of the silvered langur species group (Trachypithecus cristatus). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 47: 629-636.
[9] Roos C., Boonratana R., Supriatna J., Fellowes J.R., Rylands A.B. & Mittermeier R.A., 2013. An updated taxonomy of primates in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and China. Vietnamese Journal of Primatology 2 (issue 2): 13-26.
Page Last Updated: 3 July 2022