Animal Info - Mentawai Leaf Monkey

(Other Names: Langur Colilargo, Langur de Mentawi, Long-tailed Langur, Mentawai Islands or Mentawai Langur, Mentawai Islands or Red-bellied Sureli, Semnopithèque de Mentawi)

Presbytis potenziani

Status: Vulnerable

1. Profile
2. Tidbits
3. Status and Trends (IUCN Status, Countries Where Currently Found, Population Estimates, History of Distribution, Threats and Reasons for Decline)
4. Data on Biology and Ecology (Weight, Habitat, Diet, Social Organization, Density and Range, Minimum Viable Population)
5. References

Profile

The Mentawai leaf monkey weighs 6 - 7 kg (13 - 15 lb). It has been found in mangrove forest and rainforest between 0 - 384 m (0 - 1260'). Its diet is comprised of leaves and fruit. The average size of Mentawai leaf monkey troops is 3 - 4 individuals, including a mated pair and their offspring. It is unique in apparently being entirely monogamous. It has exclusive core areas which include important sleeping and feeding trees, and which occupy 20 - 50% of the home range. (Macdonald 1984)

The Mentawai leaf monkey is endemic to the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia. As of 1987 it was scarce and declining except possibly in the interior of Siberut Island. Reasons for its decline include logging and hunting for food by the increasing human population.

Tidbits

*** The unusual nature of the stomach of leaf monkeys and related species probably has a profound influence on their ecology. The stomach is large and multi-chambered, and the forestomach supports bacteria with cellulose-digesting abilities. These monkeys are enabled by their stomach to digest plant fibers, and many include large quantities of foliage in their diet. (Davies & Oates 1994)

Status and Trends

IUCN Status:

1970's - 1980's: Indeterminate
1988 - 1994: Endangered
1996 - 2004: Vulnerable (Criteria: A1c+2c, B1+2ac) (IUCN 2004)

Countries Where the Mentawai Leaf Monkey Is Currently Found:

2004: Occurs in Indonesia (Sumatra) (IUCN 2004).

History of Distribution:

The Mentawai leaf monkey is endemic to the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia. As of 1987 it was scarce and declining except possibly in the interior of Siberut Island.

Threats and Reasons for Decline:

Reasons for its decline include logging and hunting for food by the increasing human population.

Data on Biology and Ecology

Weight:

The Mentawai leaf monkey weighs 6 - 7 kg (13 - 15 lb).

Habitat:

The Mentawai leaf monkey has been found in mangrove forest and rainforest between 0 - 384 m (0 - 1260').

The Mentawai leaf monkey is found in the Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot (Cons. Intl. 2005).

Diet:

The Mentawai leaf monkey eats leaves and fruit.

Social Organization:

The average size of Mentawai leaf monkey troops is 3.4, including a mated pair and their offspring. It is unique in apparently being entirely monogamous. It has exclusive core areas which include important sleeping and feeding trees, and which occupy 20 - 50% of the home range.
(Macdonald 1984)

Density and Range:

Density: 14 individuals/sq km (37 individuals/sq mi); group density: 4/sq km (10/sq mi); home range: 12 - 30 hectares (30 - 75 acres). (Davies & Oates 1994)

Minimum Viable Population:

Minimum viable population density: 15 individuals/sq km (39 individuals/sq mi) (Silva & Downing 1994).

References

Burton & Pearson 1987, Cons. Intl. 2005, Davies & Oates 1994, Fuentes 1997, IUCN 1994, IUCN 1996, IUCN 2000, IUCN 2003a, IUCN 2004, Macdonald 1984, Nowak 1999, Nowak & Paradiso 1983, Silva & Downing 1994

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Last modified: March 16, 2005;