ZSI scientists discover new macaque species in West & Central Arunachal Pradesh

The newly discovered Sela macaque is genetically closer to the Arunachal macaque, sharing many physical characteristics including a heavy-build shape and long dorsal body hair. The Sela pass has been acting acted as a barrier restricting migration between these two species for approximately two million years, according to Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) scientists.

New Delhi:The scientists of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a very new macaque species which is distributed in western and central Arunachal Pradesh, ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee said on Friday. A release from the ZSI said the scientists collected a few samples and undertook a detailed phylogenetic analysis.

The analysis led to the finding of this monkey which, according to them, is genetically different from the other species of monkey reported from this region. Dhriti said the scientists have named it as ‘Sela Macaque’ (Macaca selai) — as this species is geographically separated from Arunachal macaque of the Tawang district by a mountain pass, called Sela pass.

ZSI's scientist Mukesh Thakur said the Sela pass acted as a barrier by restricting the migrations of individuals between these two species for approximately two million years. The Sela macaque is genetically closer to the Arunachal macaque and there are many physical characteristics similar between these two species like a heavy-build shape and long dorsal body hair.

Some distinct morphological characters to differentiate them were identified by the scientists. In short, the Arunachal macaque has a dark face and dark brown coat colour, while the Sela macaque has a pale face and brown coat colour, Mukesh explained.

"We also observed distinct behaviours among troops that are common in both species –some troops are habituated to human presence while others avoid human proximity. According to the villagers, the Sela macaque is a major cause of crop loss in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh," he added. This study has been published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.