New mitochondrial genome resource for resolving the grey langur species complex

Among Indian primate species, the gray langur, is widely distributed and shows extraordinary morphological plasticity throughout its range of distribution. Various taxonomic assignments have been suggested and developed over the past century in resolving the systematic position of the gray langur. There was a substantial disagreements on number of species. To bring about some clarity, it has been proposed to use six morphotypes along with ecological niche modelling to form the basis of a taxonomic classification scheme for the grey langurs found in peninsular India. Nevertheless, the validation for these ambiguities in species numbers is necessary by employing independent tools and molecular data informatics. However, previous attempts at species authentication using molecular data usually rely on only one or a small number of genes. To develop a more reliable method for the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships of these taxa, and to create an important genomic resource for future studies, we sequenced whole mitochondrial genome of the gray langur Seminopithicus hypoleucos. Our results substantiate the value of sequencing whole mitochondrial genomes for this purpose, and show that developing similar information for new members belonging to the species complex associated to the Hanuman langur clade is essential. Our study proposed a species boundary using different genomic locus to differentiate a species. This may aid to resolve taxonomy and systematic relationships of entire hanuman langur clade in the Indian subcontinent. Further data resource based validity is necessary in this regards.

Integrative taxonomy confirms the species status of the Himalayan langurs, Semnopithecus schistaceus Hodgson 1840

Taxonomy is replete with groups where the species identity and classification remain unresolved. One such group is the widely distributed Hanuman langur (Colobinae: Semnopithecus). For most part of the last century, Hanuman langur was considered to be a single species with multiple subspecies. Nevertheless, recent studies using an integrative taxonomy approach suggested that this taxon is a complex, with at least three species. However, these studies did not include the Himalayan population of the Hanuman langur whose taxonomic status remains unresolved. The Himalayan population of Hanuman langurs have been classified as a distinct species with multiple subspecies or have been subsumed into other species. These classification schemes are wholly based on morphological characters and which are sometimes insufficient to delimit different species. Here, we have integrated data from multiple sources viz. morphology, DNA, and ecology to resolve the taxonomy of the Himalayan langur and to understand its distribution limit. Our results with three lines of evidence corresponding to three different species concepts show that Himalayan langur is a distinct species from S. entellus of the plains. Additionally, these results did not show any support for splitting of the Himalayan langur into multiple subspecies. Our study supports the classification proposed by Hill (1939) and we recommend Semnopithecus schistaceus, Hodgson 1840 as species name for the Himalayan langur and subsume all the known subspecies into it.

Prevalence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Rhesus Macaque (Macaca Mulatta Zimmermann, 1780) and Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus Entellus Dufresne, 1797) In Devghat, Chitwan, Nepal

The present investigation was undertaken to study the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in Rhesus Macaque and Hanuman Langur at Devghat, Chitwan. Altogether 93 fresh faecal samples were collected from Rhesus Macaque belonging to five troops and Hanuman Langur of two troops. About 10 gm of faecal material was collected in sterile vials with 2.5% potassium dichromate solution. These samples were examined microscopically by faecal concentration methods viz. floatation technique and sedimentation technique. Out of 93 samples, 69 (74.20%) were found positive for at least one parasite. Prevalence of helminth and protozoan parasites was 52.68% and 40.86% respectively. Altogether, 10 species of parasites including seven helminth and three protozoa were identified based on morphological characteristics of their eggs and cysts under light microscopy. The most commonly detected parasites were Balantidium coli (27.95%) followed by Eimeria sp. (16.12%), Entamoeba sp. (13.97%), Trichuris sp. (23.65%), Ascaris sp. (11.82%), Strongyloides sp. (10.75%), Oesophagostomum sp. (5.37%), Hookworm sp. (3.22%), Trichostrongylus sp. (3.22%) and Hymenolepis sp. (1.07%). Unidentified larvae of nematode which account for 6.45% of total samples were also recorded. Single, double, triple and multiple species of parasites were found in 36.55%, 29.03%, 6.45% and 2.15% samples respectively. Journal of Institute of Science and TechnologyVolume 22, Issue 2, January 2018, Page: 12-18

Ecology and conservation of golden jackal (Canis aureus) in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

At north-west of India there is dry, semi arid region called as The Great Indian Thar desert. It lies between 24o and 35o 5’ N latitude and 70o 7’ and 76o 2’ E. Mammals of Thar desert includes the wolf (Canis lupus), the stripped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena), golden Jackal (Canis aureus), the Indian desert fox (Vulpes v. pusilla), wild bore (Susscrofaspc.), black buck (Antilo pecervicapra), blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus), chinkara (Gazella benneti), Hanuman langur (Semenopithecus entellus) etc. Golden Jackal is unique in distribution, occurrence, and survives at different environmental conditions in India including the hot desert. Present study has been carried out at Phitkasni village, situated south-east of Jodhpur city. Large population of golden Jackal has observed and data of their homerange, territory, inter-specific relation, conflict with human and mortality has been studied. It is concluded that regular monitoring and proper conservation management is needed in this area so Jackal and other carnivore like wolf, desert fox and hyena can also be conserved.

Metacommunication in social play: the meaning of aggression-like elements is modified by play face in Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus)

The metacommunication hypothesis asserts that some elements of play behaviour are associated with play elements borrowed from aggression and interpret these aggression-like elements as playful. Using data from free living Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus), we tested three predictions that follow from the metacommunication hypothesis: (i) aggression-like elements (ALEs) abbreviate play bouts; (ii) candidate signal elements are sequentially associated with ALEs; (iii) associations of candidate signal elements with ALEs prolong play bouts. Play face and five other candidate signal elements were evaluated in relation to nine ALEs. We confirmed all three predictions for play face, albeit only if the play face and/or the ALEs occurred at the start of the play bout. The other candidate elements were not associated with ALEs. We conclude that play face fulfils the metacommunicatory function in Hanuman langur play bouts, while other play specific elements may serve other signal or non-signal functions.

Social interactions of Hanuman langur (Semnopithecus entellus) at Keshabpur and Manirampur of Jessore district of Bangladesh

Social interactions of Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) were studied from August, 2013 to July, 2014 at Keshabpur and Manirampur Upazila, Jessore, Bangladesh. The study was mainly based on direct field observations from dawn to dusk and data was collected through focal animal sampling in 10- minutes duration. During the study period seven groups of Hanuman langurs were found in urban and rural habitats. Eight behavioral activities like resting, feeding, grooming, moving, parental care, playing, submission and aggression were recorded. They interacted with each other through grooming, parental care, playing, submission and aggression. Social interactions varied in urban and rural habitats. Aggression was mostly observed in rural habitat and generally showed by the males. Adults were engaged in playing to encourage infants, juveniles and sub-adults. Significant seasonal variation of grooming was observed between age classes. Females were engaged more in grooming and parental care than males. Allomothering was also observed within a group. More submission was received by dominant males within a group. Langurs of focal groups spent 41.04% of their total activity budget in resting which was the highest activity followed by 33.75% in feeding, 11.73% in grooming, 4.87% in moving and 8.61% time for other activities.Bangladesh J. Zool. 42(2): 217-225, 2014