Taxonomy and conservation of Vietnam's primates: a review

Abstract

Vietnam has the highest number of primate taxa overall (24-27) and the highest number of globally threatened primate taxa (minimum 20) in Mainland Southeast Asia. Conservation management of these species depends in part on resolving taxonomic uncertainties, which remain numerous among the Asian primates. Recent research on genetic, morphological, and acoustic diversity in Vietnam's primates has clarified some of these uncertainties, although a number of significant classification issues still remain. Herein, we summarize and compare the major current taxonomic classifications of Vietnam's primates, discuss recent advances in the context of these taxonomies, and suggest key areas for additional research to best inform conservation efforts in a region crucial to global primate diversity. Among the most important next steps for the conservation of Vietnam's primates is a new consensus list of Asian primates that resolves current differences between major taxonomies, incorporates recent research advances, and recognizes units of diversity at scales below the species-level, whether termed populations, morphs, or subspecies. Priority should be placed on recognizing distinct populations, regardless of the species concept in use, in order to foster the evolutionary processes necessary for primate populations to cope with inevitable environmental changes. The long-term conservation of Vietnam's primates depends not only on an accepted and accurate taxonomy but also on funding for on-the-ground conservation activities, including training, and the continued dedication and leadership of Vietnamese researchers and managers.

Impending extinction crisis of the world’s primates: Why primates matter

“…The recognition of the urgent need to understand the diversity of threatened primates inspired a workshop in 2000 in Orlando, Florida, sponsored by Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This workshop gave rise to landmark conservation assessments and action plans for each of the major primate regions ( 162 – 166 ). …”

Ecological Niche Conservatism in Doucs (Genus Pygathrix)

“…This gradient occurs in all of Vietnam's primates except for one species of macaque (Macaca arctoides) and the two species of lorises (Nycticebus bengalensis and N. pygmaeus : Fooden 1996), although lorises remain understudied in the region (Blair et al 2011). For example, Macaca assamensis, M. mulatta, and Trachypithecus phayrei are all restricted to the north, whereas closely related M. leonina, M. fascicularis, and T. cristatus are found only in the south.…”

“…The cause of this gradient is unclear, although seasonality is commonly given as a potential explanation (Fooden 1996;Groves 2007). It is also possible that different factors may contribute to this distribution pattern in different taxonomic groups (Blair et al 2011;Groves 2007).…”

Population and Conservation Status of Indochinese Gray Langurs (Trachypithecus crepusculus) in the Wuliang Mountains, Jingdong, Yunnan, China

“…The Indochinese gray langur (Trachypitheucs crepusculus) was recently elevated to full species status, having been considered a subspecies of T. phayrei before 2009 because of possible ancient hybridization (Blair et al 2011;He et al 2012;Liedigk et al 2009;Mittermeier et al 2013;Roos et al 2014). It is distributed in small numbers across southwestern China, eastern Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and northern Vietnam along the eastern bank of the Salween River (Groves 2001;Roos et al 2014).…”