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{{Short description|Species of Old World monkey}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Assam macaque
| image = Assam macaque in Latpanchar April 2024 by Tisha Mukherjee 03.jpg
| status = NT
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |title=''Macaca assamensis'' |author=Boonratana, R. |author2=Chalise, M. |author3=Htun, S. |author4=Timmins, R.J. |date=2020 |article-number=e.T12549A17950189 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T12549A17950189.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Macaca
| species = assamensis<ref name = msw3>{{MSW3 Groves|pages=161|id=12100530}}</ref>
| authority = [[John McClelland (doctor)|McClelland]], 1840
| range_map = Assam Macaque area.png
| range_map_caption = Assam macaque range
}}
[[File:Assam macaque (Macaca assamensis pelops) male head Nagarjun.jpg|thumb|''M. a. pelops'' in Nagarjun Forest, [[Kathmandu]], [[Nepal]]]]
The '''Assam macaque''' ('''''Macaca assamensis''''') or '''Assamese macaque''' is a [[macaque]] of the [[Old World monkey]] family native to [[South Asia|South]] and [[Southeast Asia]]. Since 2008, it has been listed as [[near-threatened species|Near Threatened]] on the [[IUCN Red List]], as it is experiencing significant declines due to [[poaching]], [[habitat]] [[degradation (geology)|degradation]], and [[habitat fragmentation|fragmentation]].<ref name=iucn/>

== Characteristics ==
The Assam macaque has a yellowish-grey to dark brown pelage. The facial skin is dark brownish to purplish. The head has a dark fringe of hair on the cheeks directed backwards to the ears. The hair on the crown is parted in the middle. The shoulders, head and arms tend to be paler than the hindquarters, which are greyish. The tail is well-haired and short. Head-to-body-length measures {{convert|51|to|73.5|cm|in|abbr=on}}, and the tail is {{convert|15|to|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} long. Adult weight is {{convert|5|to|10|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>Françis, C. M. (2008) [https://books.google.com/books?id=zWeS8A6nunIC&pg=PA271 ''A field guide to the mammals of South-East Asia'']. New Holland Publishers. {{ISBN|1-84537-735-4}}</ref>

== Distribution and habitat ==
[[File:Assam-Makak 1670-2.jpg|thumb|Assam macaques in Shanghai Zoo]]
In Nepal, the Assam macaque occurs east of the [[Kali Gandaki]] river at elevations of {{cvt|200|-|1800|m}}.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Wada, K. |year=2005 |title=The distribution pattern of rhesus and Assamese monkeys in Nepal |journal=Primates |volume=46 |issue=2 |pages=115–119 |doi=10.1007/s10329-004-0112-x |pmid=15378425}}</ref> In northeastern India, it lives in tropical and subtropical semi[[evergreen forests]], dry [[Deciduous forests|deciduous]] and [[montane forest]]s up to elevations of {{cvt|4000|m}}.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Srivastava, A. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Mohnot, S. M. |year=2001 |title=Distribution, conservation status and priorities for primates in Northeast India |journal=ENVIS Bulletin: Wildlife and Protected Areas |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=102–108 |url=http://wiienvis.nic.in/primates/downloads/page102distributionne.pdf}} {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721180919/http://wiienvis.nic.in/primates/downloads/page102distributionne.pdf |date=July 21, 2011 }}</ref> In Laos and Vietnam, it prefers elevations above {{cvt|500|m}}. It usually inhabits hilly areas above {{cvt|1000|m}}, but in the wetter east it also occurs in the lowlands below this elevation. In [[limestone]] [[karst]] forests, it also occurs at lower elevations.<ref name=iucn/>

==Ecology and behaviour==
Assam macaques are [[diurnal animal|diurnal]], and at times both [[arboreal]] and [[Terrestrial animal|terrestrial]]. They are [[omnivorous]] and feed on [[fruit]]s, leaves, [[invertebrate]]s and [[cereal]]s.<ref name=iucn/>
In [[Namdapha National Park]], [[Arunachal Pradesh]], 15 groups were recorded in 2002 comprising 209 individuals. The population had a group density of 1.11 individuals per {{convert|1|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, and an average group size of 13.93 individuals.<ref name=Chetry2003>Chetry, D., Medhi, R., Biswas, J., Das, D. and Bhattacharjee, P. C. (2003). [https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1023%2FA%3A1023057401967 ''Nonhuman primates in the Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh, India'']. International Journal of Primatology 24(2): 383–388.</ref>
During a survey in Nepal's [[Langtang National Park]] in 2007, a total of 213 Assamese macaques were encountered in 9 groups in the study area of {{convert|113|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. Troop sizes varied between 13 and 35 individuals, with a mean troop size of 23.66 individuals, and comprised 31% adult females, 16% adult males, and their young of various ages. They preferred [[maize]] kernals, followed by [[potato]] tubers, but also raided fields with [[wheat]], [[buckwheat]], and [[millet]].<ref>Regmi, G. R., Kandel, K. (2008). [http://www.psgb.org/Conservation/documents/Ganga%20Ram%20Regmi%20final%20report%20july%2008.pdf ''Population Status, Threats and Conservation Measures of Assamese macaque (''Macaca assamensis'') in Langtang National Park, Nepal''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422023106/http://www.psgb.org/Conservation/documents/Ganga%20Ram%20Regmi%20final%20report%20july%2008.pdf |date=2017-04-22 }}. A final report submitted to Primate Society of Great Britain, UK.</ref>

== Threats ==
The threats to this species' habitat include selective [[logging]] and various forms of anthropogenic development and activities, alien invasives, hunting and trapping for sport, medicine, food, and the [[pet trade]]. Additionally, [[Cross-breeding|hybridization]] with adjacent species poses a threat to some populations.<ref>Molur, S., Brandon-Jones, D., Dittus, W., Eudey, A., Kumar, A., Singh, M., Feeroz, M. M., Chalise, M., Priya, P. and Walker, S. (2003). [http://www.zooreach.org/downloads/ZOO_CAMP_PHVA_reports/2003%20Primate%20Report.pdf ''Status of South Asian Primates: Conservation Assessment and Management Plan Report''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221173754/http://zooreach.org/downloads/ZOO_CAMP_PHVA_reports/2003%20Primate%20Report.pdf |date=2016-12-21 }}. Workshop Report, 2003. Zoo Outreach Organization/CBSG-South Asia, Coimbatore, India.</ref>

== Conservation ==
''Macaca assamensis'' is listed in [[CITES Appendix II]]. It is legally protected in all countries of occurrence. For the populations in India, the species is listed under Schedule II, part I of the Indian Wildlife Act.<ref name=Chetry2003/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101001055211/http://www.arkive.org/assam-macaque/macaca-assamensis/#text=All ARKive: Assam macaque (''Macaca assamensis'')]

{{C.Cercopithecinae nav}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q738925}}

[[Category:Macaca]]
[[Category:Primates of Asia]]
[[Category:Mammals of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Mammals of Bhutan]]
[[Category:Mammals of Myanmar]]
[[Category:Mammals of China]]
[[Category:Mammals of India]]
[[Category:Mammals of Laos]]
[[Category:Mammals of Nepal]]
[[Category:Mammals of Thailand]]
[[Category:Mammals of Vietnam]]
[[Category:Fauna of Yunnan]]
[[Category:Fauna of Assam]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1840]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John McClelland (doctor)]]

Assam macaque - Revision history

Stickerlabelingmachine at 23:41, 11 March 2026