On the occurrence and distribution of Presbytis comata (Desmarest, 1822) (Mammalia: Primates: Cercopithecidae) in Java, Indonesia

Vincent Nijman

doi:10.1163/26660644-06604005

Abstract

The colobine monkey Presbytis comata is confined to the rain forests of West and Central Java, Indonesia. In order to determine its distribution, a review of the literature, evidence from the study of museum specimens, and the results of recent surveys are presented. Recent surveys in the central parts of the island indicate that P. comata is still present on four volcanic mountain complexes, viz. Mt. Sawal, Mt. Slamet, Mts. Dieng, and Mt. Lawu. The present paper gives the results of the surveys combined with a review of its distribution. Altitudinal and habitat preferences, and the conservation status of the species are discussed.

Highlights

Indonesia supports a relatively high number of colobine monkeys belonging to the genus Presbytis sensu stricto and, due to the partial isolation of Asia and the intermittent connection between islands, the country includes numerous endemic taxa
The aim of the present paper is to synthesize the main results from studies published in various journals and unpublished reports, not all of which are accessible, and to integrate this with new data on the distribution and conservation status of central Javan populations of P. comata, collected during two field surveys in 1994 and 1995
In order to assess the current distribution of P. comata in the central parts of Java, data were gathered over an eight months (March-Sept.) period during 1994, with an additional two months (June-July) survey in 1995

Summary

Introduction

Indonesia supports a relatively high number of colobine monkeys belonging to the genus Presbytis sensu stricto and, due to the partial isolation of Asia and the intermittent connection between islands, the country includes numerous endemic taxa. One of these is the Grizzled leaf monkey. Presbytis comata (Desmarest, 1822) [formerly P. aygula, see Weitzel & Groves, 1985], endemic to the island of Java, viz., the West and Central Javan provinces. Animals of this species live in single male groups containing three to over thirteen individuals. Little is known about the ecology of the species, and knowledge about its distribution at the individual and population level is limited (Supriatna et al, 1994)

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