Primates of Peninsular Malaysia

Mohd Ridwan, Abd Rahman (2022) Primates of Peninsular Malaysia. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara (PERHILITAN) Semenanjung Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. ISBN 978-967-5557-43-9

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Abstract

Malaysia has highly diverse primates with 25 species currently. However, not all of us are familiar the primate species that is present in this country. This book aims to highlight the diversity of primates in Malaysia, and focusing on primates found in Peninsular Malaysia. This book is the first to feature a compilation of primate photos in Peninsular Malaysia produced by Malaysians. This book can be used as a primary reference in identification of primates more accurately based on featured photos. It is hoped that this book will benefit all including the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA), PERHILITAN, Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia, zoological parks, other stakeholders and the general public. Primates in Malaysia are threatened by habitat loss due to forest clearing and logging. Forests have been converted into plantation areas to meet the food demands generated by the growth of Malaysia's population. Recently, illegal trade in primates have also been rampant, and social media is used extensively to trade numerous primate species, including gibbons and the Dusky Langurs, to the public for the pet trade Bornean Orang-Utan and Sarawak Langur are two Malaysian primate species listed as critically endangered (CR) by the IUCN Red List. Several other primate species have also been classified into endangered categories, including the slow loris and Dusky Langur. Members of the greater society should be aware of laws that do not authorise the keeping of endangered primates. Conflict between primates and humans can be minimised if society understands and adopts the principle of not feeding wild primate populations. It is imperative that primate research continues to concentrate on neglected species. Recent discoveries have been made by our group concerning the ecology of the Stump tailed Macaque in Perlis State Park, and new research on Siamangs and gibbons have started again after 40 years of absence. Research utilising molecular genetic analysis has also been effective in resolving taxonomic uncertainty, especially involving the Presbytis group. This has enabled the identification of primates previously known through common names in a manner that is much more concise and relates to the status of some of the langur species that were formerly classified as subspecies of Presbytis melalophos.

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