Macaca fascicularis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	PRIMATES	CERCOPITHECIDAE

Scientific Name:

Macaca fascicularis

Species Authority:

(Raffles, 1821)

Infra-specific Taxa Assessed:

See Macaca fascicularis ssp. atriceps

See Macaca fascicularis ssp. aureus

See Macaca fascicularis ssp. condorensis

See Macaca fascicularis ssp. fascicularis

See Macaca fascicularis ssp. fuscus

See Macaca fascicularis ssp. karimondjawae

See Macaca fascicularis ssp. lasiae

See Macaca fascicularis ssp. philippensis

See Macaca fascicularis ssp. tua

See Macaca fascicularis ssp. umbrosus

Common Name/s:

English	–	Crab-eating Macaque, Cynomolgus Monkey, Long-tailed Macaque
French	–	Macaque Crabier, Macaque De Buffon
Spanish	–	Macaca Cangrejera

Taxonomic Notes:

At least ten subspecies are presently recognized, most of which are isolated, insular populations with few apparent differences between any of them other than pelage color, tail length, and the form of the cheek whiskers (Groves 2001). There is considerable hybridization between this species and M. mulatta where their ranges meet. Hybrids between M. fascicularis and M. nemestrina have also been reported (Groves 2001).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Ong, P. & Richardson, M.

Evaluator/s:

Mittermeier, R.A. & Rylands, A.B. (Primate Red List Authority)

Justification:
This species is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, tolerance of a broad range of habitats, occurrence in a number of protected areas, and because it is unlikely to be declining at nearly the rate required to qualify for listing in a threatened category. Although it is under heavy hunting pressure for meat, sport and trophies, this is not considered a major threat to the species overall.

History:

2000	–	Lower Risk/near threatened
1996	–	Lower Risk/near threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species occurs in Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India (Nicobar Islands), Indonesia (including Bali, Bangka, the Batu Islands, Bawean, Belitung, Java, Kalimantan Borneo, the Kangean Islands, Karimata, Karimunjawa, Lingga, Lombok, the Natuna Islands, Nias, Nusatenggara, the Riau Archipelago, Simeulue, Sumatra, Sumba, Sumbawa, and Timor), Lao PDR, Malaysia (including the Peninsula as well as Sabah and Sarawak Borneo), Myanmar (including the Mergui Archipelago), the Philippines (Balabec, Basilan, Cagayan Sulu, Culion, Jolo, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Palawan, and Samar), Singapore, Thailand (including offshore islands), Timor-Leste and Viet Nam. On mainland Southeast Asia, there is a hybrid zone with Macaca mulata in central areas that makes it difficult to determine the northern limits of its range. The species has been introduced to Kabeana Island, Indonesia, the Pacific island of Palau, Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, and to New Guinea (Groves 2001) (these introduced populations are not included in the distribution map). M. f. fascicularis Occurs in Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia (including Bali, Bangka, the Batu Islands, Bawean, Java, Kalimantan Borneo, Karimata, Lingga, the Natuna Islands, Nias, Nusatenggara, the Riau Archipelago, Sumatra, Sumba, and Timor), Malaysia (including the peninsula as well as Sabah and Sarawak Borneo), the Philippines (western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago), Singapore, southern Thailand (including offshore islands), and southern Viet Nam (Groves 2001). M. f. aureus Occurs in southernmost Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Myanmar (including the Mergui Archipelago) and west-central Thailand (Groves 2001). M. f. umbrosus Occurs on Nicobar Islands of India (Little Nicobar, Great Nicobar and Katchall), where it is found up to 600 m (Umapathy et al. 2003; Molur et al. 2003; Groves 2001). M. f. fuscus Occurs on Pulau Simeulue, off the northwestern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia (Groves 2001). M. f. condorensis Occurs on Con Son Island, off the coast of southern Viet Nam (Groves 2001). M. f. tua Occurs on Pulau Maratua, east of Borneo, Indonesia (Groves 2001). M. f. philippensis Occurs in the Philippines. Found on the islands of Balabac, Basilan, Biliran, Bohol, Busuanga, Camiguin, Catanduanes, Culion, Leyte, Luzon, northeastern Mindanao, Mindoro, Negros, Panay, Palawan, Samar and Sibuyan (Groves 2001; Heaney et al. 1998). M. f. lasiae Occurs on Pulau Lasia, off the northewestern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia (Groves 2001). M. f. karimondjawae Occurs on Pulau Karimunjawa and (probably) nearby Pulau Kemujan, Java Sea, Indonesia (Groves 2001). M. f. atriceps Occurs on Khram Yai Island, off the southeastern coast of Thailand (Groves 2001).
Countries:	Native: Bangladesh; Brunei Darussalam; Cambodia; India (Andaman Is., Nicobar Is.); Indonesia; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Malaysia; Myanmar; Philippines; Singapore; Thailand; Timor-Leste; Viet Nam Introduced: Mauritius; Palau; Papua New Guinea
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	This is a widespread and often abundant species, and is sometimes commensal with humans. In the Philippines, it ranges from being locally common to uncommon, though this is largely dependent upon hunting pressure. In Bangladesh, the population has been estimated at less than 100 total individuals, and a population on the Teknaf Peninsula has been completely decimated due to development activities (ship-building) (Molur et al. 2003). There is a paucity of information available on the population status of several island forms. Molur et al. (2003) estimated about 4,800 individuals of M. f. umbrosus, but nothing is known about the status following the December 2004 tsunami. The islands of Katchall and Little Nicobar were submerged during the tsunami, and it is believed to have affected the habitat of this taxon; on the other hand, Shankaran et al. (2005) state that these macaques were not affected seriously on Greater Nicobar Island. The disaster could have impacted their populations on these two islands due to the fruiting Pandanus being affected by the tsunami (M. Singh pers. comm.). The population on Con Son (M. f. conderensis) likely numbers less than 1,000 individuals, and a number of other island forms probably have a similar status.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

This is a widespread and often abundant species, and is sometimes commensal with humans. In the Philippines, it ranges from being locally common to uncommon, though this is largely dependent upon hunting pressure. In Bangladesh, the population has been estimated at less than 100 total individuals, and a population on the Teknaf Peninsula has been completely decimated due to development activities (ship-building) (Molur et al. 2003).
There is a paucity of information available on the population status of several island forms. Molur et al. (2003) estimated about 4,800 individuals of M. f. umbrosus, but nothing is known about the status following the December 2004 tsunami. The islands of Katchall and Little Nicobar were submerged during the tsunami, and it is believed to have affected the habitat of this taxon; on the other hand, Shankaran et al. (2005) state that these macaques were not affected seriously on Greater Nicobar Island. The disaster could have impacted their populations on these two islands due to the fruiting Pandanus being affected by the tsunami (M. Singh pers. comm.). The population on Con Son (M. f. conderensis) likely numbers less than 1,000 individuals, and a number of other island forms probably have a similar status.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The species is extremely tolerant of a range of habitats, including mangrove and swamp forests, and can be found in agricultural areas near forest (secondary growth, secondary forest, and primary forest) (Thomas 1898; Fooden 1991, 1995; Rabor 1986; Goodman and Ingle 1993; Heaney et al. 1991; Rickart et al. 1993; Danielsen et al. 1994). On the Nicobars, M. f. umbrosus is found in mangroves and coastal forests dominated by Pandanus species (Molur et al. 2003). M. f. aureus is found in evergreen forests and coastal mangroves (Molur et al. 2003). The species has been reported as occurring to elevations of up to 1,000 m on Java, Borneo, and Sumatra (Indonesia), and up to 1,800 m in the Philippines (Heaney et al. 1998). On the mainland, it generally occurs at lower elevations: up to 700 m in Thailand, while in Cambodia and Viet Nam it generally occurs below 300 m. This species is semi-terrestrial, diurnal, and omnivorous (Molur et al. 2003).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

The species is extremely tolerant of a range of habitats, including mangrove and swamp forests, and can be found in agricultural areas near forest (secondary growth, secondary forest, and primary forest) (Thomas 1898; Fooden 1991, 1995; Rabor 1986; Goodman and Ingle 1993; Heaney et al. 1991; Rickart et al. 1993; Danielsen et al. 1994). On the Nicobars, M. f. umbrosus is found in mangroves and coastal forests dominated by Pandanus species (Molur et al. 2003). M. f. aureus is found in evergreen forests and coastal mangroves (Molur et al. 2003). The species has been reported as occurring to elevations of up to 1,000 m on Java, Borneo, and Sumatra (Indonesia), and up to 1,800 m in the Philippines (Heaney et al. 1998). On the mainland, it generally occurs at lower elevations: up to 700 m in Thailand, while in Cambodia and Viet Nam it generally occurs below 300 m. This species is semi-terrestrial, diurnal, and omnivorous (Molur et al. 2003).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Across much of the range, the major threat to the species is hunting. In mainland Southeast Asia, such as in Cambodia and Viet Nam, females are taken into breeding facilities and males are exported internationally primarily for use in laboratory research. A potential related issue is the release of confiscated long-tailed macaques from the border area of Viet Nam and China (which is where most of the current international trade is being recorded) into the native range of other macaque species. In the Philippines, the species is subject to a high level of hunting, where it is taken for local consumption and hunted for sport. It is also persecuted as a pest. Habitat loss is also a localised threat, but the species can persist in a variety of habitats and very adaptable.

Major Threat(s):

Across much of the range, the major threat to the species is hunting. In mainland Southeast Asia, such as in Cambodia and Viet Nam, females are taken into breeding facilities and males are exported internationally primarily for use in laboratory research. A potential related issue is the release of confiscated long-tailed macaques from the border area of Viet Nam and China (which is where most of the current international trade is being recorded) into the native range of other macaque species. In the Philippines, the species is subject to a high level of hunting, where it is taken for local consumption and hunted for sport. It is also persecuted as a pest. Habitat loss is also a localised threat, but the species can persist in a variety of habitats and very adaptable.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The species is included in Appendix II of CITES. It is listed on Schedule I, Part I, Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 amended up to 2002, and Schedule III, Bangladesh Wildlife (Protection) Act A 1974 (Molur et al. 2003). In Myanmar it is a “normally” protected species. It is a protected on Appendix 2B on Decree 32 (2006) in Viet Nam. It occurs in many protected areas throughout its range and is relatively common in captivity (M. Richardson pers. comm.). There is a need for further survey work to assess the current population status of the various island forms. In particular, following the Indian Ocean Island tsunami of December 2004, a targeted survey is required to establish their current status on the Nicobars.

Conservation Actions:

The species is included in Appendix II of CITES. It is listed on Schedule I, Part I, Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 amended up to 2002, and Schedule III, Bangladesh Wildlife (Protection) Act A 1974 (Molur et al. 2003). In Myanmar it is a “normally” protected species. It is a protected on Appendix 2B on Decree 32 (2006) in Viet Nam. It occurs in many protected areas throughout its range and is relatively common in captivity (M. Richardson pers. comm.).

There is a need for further survey work to assess the current population status of the various island forms. In particular, following the Indian Ocean Island tsunami of December 2004, a targeted survey is required to establish their current status on the Nicobars.

Citation:	Ong, P. & Richardson, M. 2008. Macaca fascicularis. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 November 2009.
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