Environmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), Muar, Johor, Malaysia.
Zoology Branch, Forest Biodiversity Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong, Selangor, Malaysia.
Am J Primatol. 2024 Nov;86(11):e23631. doi: 10.1002/ajp.23631. Epub 2024 May 2.
The banded langur (Presbytis femoralis) is a critically endangered primate, which within Malaysia has not been known to extend significantly outside the state of Johor. Traditionally, distribution studies on this highly threatened primate have relied on conventional methods such as DNA identification, live counting, and camera trapping. However, ethnoprimatology offers an alternative approach to data collection, involving the active participation of indigenous and local communities possessing valuable knowledge and experience with local primate species. This study employed an integrated approach incorporating ethnoprimatology by utilizing pooled local expert opinion, local surveys, interviews, and fecal DNA analysis, resulting in a novel distribution range for the banded langur. The combination of expert opinions revealed this species' most optimistic distribution scenario across Johor and Pahang, inhabiting various ecosystems, including lowland forests, peat swamps, and human-modified landscapes. Further interviews and surveys conducted within the Orang Asli community in Tasik Chini and Tasek Bera have provided additional support for the revised distribution, documenting occurrences of banded langur utilization in indigenous practices, such as food consumption, cultural beliefs, medicinal applications, and craftsmanship. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated genetic differentiation between populations in Johor and Pahang, with the populations in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia likely serving as ancestral sources for other populations. Consequently, this study not only elucidated the updated distribution of banded langur through DNA records and direct observations but also established the efficacy of ethnoprimatology as a precursory tool for uncovering the present distribution patterns of other primate species in Malaysia.
纹面长尾猴（Presbytis femoralis）是一种极危的灵长类动物，在马来西亚，其分布范围尚未超出柔佛州。传统上，对这种高度受威胁的灵长类动物的分布研究依赖于传统方法，如 DNA 鉴定、活体计数和相机陷阱。然而，民族生物学提供了一种替代数据收集的方法，涉及到拥有宝贵的本地灵长类物种知识和经验的土著和当地社区的积极参与。本研究采用了一种综合方法，结合民族生物学，利用汇集的当地专家意见、当地调查、访谈和粪便 DNA 分析，得出了纹面长尾猴的新分布范围。专家意见的结合揭示了该物种在柔佛州和彭亨州最乐观的分布情况，栖息在各种生态系统中，包括低地森林、泥炭沼泽和人类改造的景观。在 Tasik Chini 和 Tasek Bera 的原住民族社区进行的进一步访谈和调查为修订后的分布提供了额外的支持，记录了纹面长尾猴在土著实践中的利用情况，如食物消费、文化信仰、药用应用和手工艺。系统发育分析表明，柔佛州和彭亨州的种群存在遗传分化，马来西亚半岛南部的种群可能是其他种群的祖先来源。因此，本研究不仅通过 DNA 记录和直接观察阐明了纹面长尾猴的最新分布情况，还证明了民族生物学作为揭示马来西亚其他灵长类物种当前分布模式的先行工具的有效性。
