Sela Macaque : New Species Discovered

A new species of old world monkey recorded from Arunachal Pradesh named Sela Macaque

It is an old world primate discovered from Arunachal Pradesh.
It is named after Sela pass of Arunachal Pradesh.
Identified and analysed by a team of experts from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the University of Calcutta.
The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the it was geographically separated from the Arunachal macaque (Macaca munzala) of Tawang district by Sela.
Sela pass acted as a barrier by restricting the migration of individuals of both macaque species for approximately two million years.
The new macaque species was found in the western and central Arunachal Pradesh.
It was found to be genetically different from the other species of monkeys reported from this region
It has a tail longer than the Tibetan macaque, Assamese macaque, Arunachal macaque and the whitecheeked macaque but shorter than the bonnet macaque and toque macaque.
It belongs to the sinica species group of Macaca, but it differs from all other members of this group through attributes such as brown collar hair and muzzle, and the absence of chin whisker
Similarity between both macaque species
- The two have some similar physical characteristics such as heavy build shape and long dorsal body hair.
Difference between both macaque species
- Sela Macaque – The Sela macaque has a pale face and brown coat
- Arunachal macaque – The Arunachal macaque has a dark face and dark brown coat.

Sela is a high-altitude mountain pass that serves as Tawang’s entrance.
It is the only and most important link between the districts of Tawang and West Kameng.
The pass is roughly 67 kilometers from the center of Tawang town and rises to a height of 13,700 feet above sea level.

Pic Courtesy : The Hindu

Content Source : The Hindu