The Snub-Nosed Monkeys of China

The genus Rhinopithecus comprises three species endemic to China: R. roxellana , R. brelichi , and R. bieti . They represent a unique, though understudied, adaptive array. Their distributions span from relatively low to high altitudes (1,000–4,000 m), from tropical to conifer forests. All species are threatened by poaching and habitat loss (because of wood extraction, building projects and illegal mining). Estimates of 1,500 to 10,000 were reported by IUCN and urgent conservation actions are required to prevent the extinction of these species. Basic descriptions of the ecology and behaviour of the three Chinese snub-nosed monkey species have been provided in recent years, but more field studies are needed to reveal how their peculiar morphology plays a role in communication.